Description

Internet Registration has not begun yet. Check Registration Dates in details.

Individual adults or adults with children ages 5+.
This class will guide participants in collecting seasonally available native plant seed material from outdoors at Freeman. It will then help students learn to sort seeds from non seed plant material and prepare seeds for winter storage, or immediate planting. Participants will leave with enough native wildflower seed to plant a small native garden on their property, or donate seed they prepare to local causes. Possible seeds ready to collect and process during the class include (definitely not limited to!):

September

• Purple Cone Flower
• Butterfly Milkweed
• Wild Bergemot/Beebalm

October

• Black Eyed Susan
• Blazing Star
• Common Milkweed
• Switchgrass

November

• New England Aster
• Joe-Pye Weed
• Great Blue Lobelia

Instructors: Seeds to Community Washtenaw staff. 1 class.

Please register in the adult's name.
Only one registration per household is needed.

Class outline/agenda:

• Native plants and communities
• What plants are ready to harvest seeds from right now?
• Reciprocity and fair harvest, leave some for local dispersal and for others!
• Outdoor walk to collect seed material
• What is a seed? What is in it? What does an actual seed look like of a native plant?
• Students separate seed from non seed materials
• Students prepare a seed mix to use where they choose, or to be donated
• Alternatively students prepare “seed bombs” using clay and native seeds. Students can take these with them to use at home, or throw them into a pre-approved area at Freeman, or donate them for use during school year habitat walks by elementary school students.

Class objectives:

• Learn about seasonal seed maturity and when to collect seeds
• Practice respectful seed harvesting techniques
• Identify seeds of plants that are appropriate for the target planting location
• Separate seed from non seed plant material using hand tools and magnification, with reference materials for seed identification
• Assemble a species mix that will provide habitat and food for species during all growing seasons

Online registration closes at 12 noon two days before the class begins. To register after online registration has closed (depending on class availability), please call 734-994-2300 ext. 0.

Location

Freeman #2 at Freeman
Freeman #1 at Freeman
Freeman Open Space at Freeman