What: Seed Saving and Packaging Event

When: Monday, April 21 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Charlevoix County Conservation District Community Room at 303 North Street, Boyne City, MI

Map/Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cAmohjbkpStJiyEV9

This event is open to Northern Michigan Master Gardener Association members and friends. During this event you will learn about seed collecting or seed saving from garden plants, removing seeds from deadheads, sorting seeds from chaff, and packaging seeds with the required information. We will be sorting and packaging seeds in preparation for free distribution at the annual plant sale in June and for your own use for winter sowing or sowing in your garden this spring. Plant identification tags will accompany packets. We will create waterproof and weather resilient 4” plants ID stakes.

This is an approved MSUE Master Gardener project. MGs attending will earn volunteer hours and can earn additional hours for their time outside of the work session for seed collecting, sorting, and packaging. The project is in Volunteer Central under the name of “Seed Collecting for Northern Michigan Distribution.”

·       Bring your own flower deadheads and/or seeds from your garden or work with ones I and others will bring. A variety of native and nonnative plant seeds are available to work with.

·       If possible, but not necessary, please bring a cookie sheet with raised edges to help keep seeds under control as you sort seeds and package them. Tweezers and a magnifying glass may be helpful.

·       Materials for sorting and packaging seeds will be provided.

·       Beverages are provided. Feel free to bring a snack to share.

To assist in planning for materials and room arrangement, please RSVP to Frances Paris at northernmi.mastergardeners@gmail.com or text at 248-807-1546