Do you want to learn how to grow your own native plants from seed?
October is a great time for a program on Plant Propagation, so our next event will call together those interested in learning/doing plant propagation. Please join us for a movie and chili pitch-in dinner and a talk on How to Collect, Prepare, and Sow Native Seeds by Dr. Larry Mellichamp on the big screen!
When: October 23, Wednesday, 5:30-7 PM
Where: The Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC 28717
In a historic video recording, Dr. Larry Mellichamp breaks down the fundamentals of collecting, preparing, and sowing native seeds so that you can get started at home. From large fleshy drupes to small fluffy seed heads, knowing how to harvest, handle, and plant your seeds is crucial to successful germination!
Dr. Mellichamp became a Life Member of the NC Native Plant Society in the 1980s, he was an NCNPS president, and he was reported to be a “Plant Whisperer,” botanist, teacher, mentor, author, and among the most humble of home gardens. He could convey to anyone which plant should go to which site and what each plant needed to flourish. Members of our society who knew him mourned his passing in September, 2022, but we are fortunate to continue learning from him through his recorded talks. Thanks to footage recorded by the UNCC Botanical Garden, we can still learn his useful and practical tips on how to collect, prepare, and sow native seeds that we collect.
Clean seeds will be given to participants. Free packets of conservation seeds are from ErnstSeeds: Deer Resistant Meadow Mix - ERNMX-155 and Partially Shaded Area Roadside Mix Unique Seed - ERNMX-140. A winter sowing workshop and seed swap will be held before the end of 2024 if there is enough interest.
The general public is welcome to participate in this fun and social movie night pitch-in dinner. Please bring your favorite chili OR the fixings for chili, OR a cash donation to cover food costs and BYOB (unless your preference is water).
Those who “register” will receive an email confirmation with online links to resources. The registrations will let us know how many to expect for the chili and cornbread dinner. Those who register will be entered into a raffle. As always, participants are welcome bring any native plants or seeds to exchange or to donate to a raffle.