Looking ahead for PSE–we need your help!

 

Dear Seed Savers and Friends,

 

Thank you for your interest in seed saving and support. In our first year we are 100 members strong and recipient of a Best of Philly 2011 award.

 

In the past months it has become clear we need to upgrade our webpage to offer more seed saving and plant breeding information, photos, a discussion forum and calendar. In response PSE has purchased server space, a domain name, and is working with a designer to create a logo. Additionally, requests for more events, educational presentations and workshops are on the rise. Our growth is dependent upon members contributing their knowledge, seeds and experience to the organization.

 

Philadelphia’s population includes a wide variety of languages and cultures. As we build our webpage and write curriculum for classrooms we need your help in collecting and translating gardening advice, seed saving techniques and plant breeding procedures. Our goal is to provide information in as many languages possible. Furthermore, volunteers interested in assisting with website development are encouraged to contact us.

 

Look for an exchange at Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College on December 10 and join us at the Home Grown Institute’s conference in March 2012 for a chance to design your garden for seed saving.

Sincerely yours,

 

Mira Adornetto and Joel Fath

Upcoming Events

PSE will be at the Wister Education Center at Scott Arboretum on December 10, 2011 from 2 to 4 pm for a seed exchange and a talk on seed exchanging and plant breeding.  This is a free event, but space is limited so please RSVP to phillyseedexchange@gmail.com by December 3.

We will also be participating in the Homegrown Institute’s spring conference, Springing Good Intentions into Action, March 22-25, 2012.  More information is forthcoming, but mark your calendars now!

Free Raspberry Plants

Killarney Raspberry (Red, June-July bearing) and Anne  Raspberry (White, Primo Canes, Aug-Sept bearing) plants are available for pick up at our West Philly and Media locations. Please contact the PSE at phillyseedexchange (at) gmail.com to arrange time and date to collect.

Seed Cleaning Workshop and Seed Exchange at Bartram’s Garden

Join Philly Seed Exchange at Bartram’s Garden to help in the annual seed harvest and cleaning led by staff gardener Nancy Wygant. We will be having a seed and plant exchange as well. Sunday, Sept 18, 1-4pm. Please RSVP to nwygant [at] bartramsgarden.org

August and September Plantings

Full moon is upon us.  It’s time to plant your winter greens. The lunar August planting window is: 14-20 and 26-31. The lunar September planting window is: 1-19 and 26-30.

We use a mixture of Brassicaceae and Chenopodiaceae species for a tasty and vibrant mix of greens and roots throughout the winter. A seed ratio of 80% greens and 20% roots works well. Plants that survive the snow and freezing temperatures will provide seeds the following spring and summer. Save these seeds! Their genes are encoded with mechanisms to survive frost, snow and winter weather.

Plant seeds in rows or broadcast over a prepared garden bed. Lightly rake until seeds are covered with soil and keep soil moist until seeds germinate. Water new seedlings daily, being careful not to crush young leaves with water pressure from hose. Once plants have established alternate watering days and allow soil to dry. Waterlogged soil can rot roots. As the weather begins to cool mulch beds with 4-6 inches of chipped leaves or straw to maintain moisture and keep soil warm.

Harvest 30-40% of leaves off an individual plant once mature and leave remaining to grow in and provide more harvests in weeks to come. Allow root crops to fully mature. Harvest of radishes can begin 40-50 days after planting. Larger roots will mature starting in December and can be kept in the soil through February with heavy mulch covering beds.

Winter Greens Polyculture
Brassica juncea – Mustard Greens (edible leaves)
Brassica napus – Rutabagas (edible root)
Brassica oleracea – Kale (edible leaves)
Brassica rapa – Turnips (edible leaves and roots)
Eruca sativa – Rocket (Roquette or Wild Arugula)
Raphanus sativus – Radish (French Breakfast is our favorite)

Beta vulgaris – Swiss Chard (edible leaves)
Spinacia oleracea – Spinach (edible leaves)

Seed and Plant Exchange at Norris Square on 9/22

On Thursday, September 22, join us from 1-5 pm at Norris Square, at West Susquehanna and Howard.  Stock up for fall and winter growing with winter greens, peas, root vegetables and more.  You don’t have to bring seeds to get seeds, but if you have plants and to share, bring them along–we can always use more!

Stay tuned for more fall exchanges.

Growing for the Winter

Many of us plant brassicas–kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower et al.– in late summer and fall so that we will have fresh produce to eat in the winter.  But did you know that by collecting the seeds of the plants that have survived the snow and ice, you will be genetically predisposing the next year’s crop to do the same?  In our experience with plants like Red Russian Kale, those that survive the harsh winter climate are also more likely to weather the summer heat.

PSE Wins Best of Philly 2011!

We are honored and delighted that Philadelphia Magazine has named PSE Best Garden Club in their 2011 Best of Philly edition! Thanks to everyone who came out to swap seeds this year. We have some great exchanges coming up in August and September, and will be posting the specifics soon–hope to see you there!

Gardening in the Dog Days

Here are some tips for keeping your plants happy and healthy when temperatures are on the rise.

1. Mulch your beds.  4″ of mulch lowers soil temperatures by 10 degrees. Grass clippings, leaves, and woodchips make fine mulches. Do not use black walnut clippings as they contain a toxin capable of inhibiting growth in vegetables. Grow comfrey on the ends of your beds and cut for mulch throughout the growing season.
2. Install shade providers (old bed sheets work well) to block out 12-4pm sunlight.
3. Give your plants a checkup.  Plants will naturally wilt during the day under harsh sun. If plants remain wilted during evening hours it is a sign they need a heavy watering. Water soil deeply in the morning. Do not splash plants with water in direct sun; water on their leaves during the heat of the day can damage leaf tissues.

During extreme heat, both you and your garden could use a break–this is a perfect time to be nursing seedlings indoors to plant when it gets a little cooler.

PSE on Twitter

For PSE-related info and news from the world of seed saving, permaculture, and Philadelphia, follow us on twitter!  (We also have a facebook page, so feel free to “like” us.)  We will be posting more seed exchange news shortly, as well as what you can do with your garden during the dog days of summer.  Stay cool out there!