Seed Collecting: Native Plant Seeds from the Prairie

Native Asters and seed heads

Wild Ones Newaygo Region & Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC) are hosting a Native Prairie Seed Collecting foray on Saturday, November 16 at 10 a.m. It will take place outside at the Fremont Area Community Foundation Native Prairie, 4424 W. 48th St, Fremont, 49412. Registration via Eventbrite is recommended. 

“Collecting native plant seeds is a great way to increase native plants in your yard and garden,” states Sarah Pregitzer who will lead this event. “You will learn about the ethical ways to collect native plant seeds; how to identify native vs non-native plants and seeds; and how to keep them viable until you plant them.”

“In fact, if you come out and collect seeds on November 16, you can join us in January for the Winter Seed Sowing Class,” adds Katie Clark of NCEC. “Why pay for native plants and seeds when you can collect and grow them for free!”

Sarah Pregitzer is a founder of the Newaygo Invasive Plants Project and a Board Member of NCEC. “Dress for the weather!” urges Sarah. “Wear long pants & long sleeves, and closed toed shoes. Bring large manila envelopes (purchase at a budget store) or paper sandwich bags (at least 10 each), and permanent markers for labeling. Bring scissors or pruners – and bring your water bottle too!”

A Rain Date will be scheduled if it has rained too much right before or during the seed collecting. Everyone who registers on Eventbrite will be notified in case of a rain date. Information will also be posted on the NCEC Facebook page.
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To register, go to the NCEC Facebook Seed Collecting Page, or click on this Eventbrite Link: Seed Collecting Registration. Or you can email [email protected]. View the calendar post at www.nc-ec.org.

The prairie at the Fremont Area Community Foundation