Happy September, Gardeners!
Thank you to everyone who was able to come to our final seed library event of the year. We had some of what you might expect: tomatoes and squash, but we also had community members bring in elderberries, cucumbers, duck eggs, bulb onions and garlic! It has been a year of firsts with the additional swaps, and I am looking forward to growing and improving in 2027.
Note: Elderberries should not be consumed unripe, raw, or with the stems or leaves. These berries provide a lot of health benefits, but those benefits are only available after they have been cooked for at least 20-30 minutes. Consuming them raw could make you sick.
As we enter into the fall and winter seasons, I will be seeking out seed donations from various nurseries. We are also very happy to accept donations from our local seed savers. If you have any questions on how to donate to the seed library, please feel free to send me an email. I have the seed donation slip that I like to receive with each seed donation to help me get them ready for the drawer, and I will attach that here. I also have been asked what kind of container, whether its a baggie or envelope, to donate seeds in, and I would say, it is whatever is convenient for you! Since I go through the effort of creating labels and putting them in my own bags to allow for uniformity in the drawers, it truly does not matter too much.
Upcoming Events
Silent Hunters & Hidden Helpers: The Untold Story of Oregon Wasps
Learn more about how wasps benefit our environment! Presentation led by Scott Mitchell and Tucker Hoffman, OSU Researchers. Call 503-668-5569 for more information |
When: September 25, 2026, from 5:30 - 7pm
Where: Community and Senior Center (38348 Pioneer Boulevard, Sandy)
Introduction to Insect Identification
Begin your journey toward becoming an insect identification pro through this workshop presented by OSU scientists in partnership with Bee City USA Action Group.
- Learn to ID native pollinators.
- Meet fellow nature enthusiasts.
- Experience the beauty of the “micro” world.
Call 503-668-5569 for more information.
When: September 26, 2026
Workshop: 9 - 12pm at the Community and Senior Center (38348 Pioneer Boulevard, Sandy)
BioBlitz: 1 - 4pm at Bornstedt Park (19383 Pine Avenue, Sandy)
Celebrate the Harvest Moon
Drop in to learn more about the Autumn Equinox, the Harvest Moon, and other astronomical or nocturnal facts from an Oregon naturalist!
When: September 26, 2026 at 7pm
Where: Jonsrud Viewpoint (15652 Bluff Road, Sandy)
Edible Gardening Group - Flying Coyote Farm Tour
Flying Coyote Farm is a Certified Organic Farm that grows over 100 different varieties of organic vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs. Come take a tour with farmer Lili Tova. REGISTRATION REQUIRED
This will be the last meeting of the year.
When: Wednesday, September 23, 5:30pm
Where: Flying Coyote Farm
National Hummingbird Day!
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| PHOTO: Shaker Museum website blog, “Making All Those Seed Packets,” The design of seed packets has come a long way since the Shakers invented them in the late 1700s, and by the late 1800s, selling seed packets had become big business. But, according to this interesting recent article in the New York Times (gift link) it seems a new era is dawning for seed packets, driven by a younger generation of gardeners seeking a greater sense of authenticity: a new focus on aesthetics, intentional packaging, and increased social awareness (plus, accompanying zines!). Examples highlighted in the article include more artful seed packet illustrations, an emphasis on cultural and historical connections, and highlighting the role of seeds and agriculture in the face of modern crises.  PHOTO: Hudson Valley Seed Company The Hudson Valley Seed Company was one of the first to offer more seriously artful illustrations on packets.  PHOTO: Truelove Seeds Truelove Seeds offers seed collections important to the African Diaspora.  PHOTO: Palestinian Heirloom Seed Library The Palestine Heirloom Seed Library seeks to promote “cultural preservation through food choices” in an area where local farming traditions have been devastated by war. Seed Library Member Tina's Favorite Plant: The Magnolia My favorite flower is the Southern Magnolia. Some of my favorite memories were made under the shade of our magnolia tree, with my kids as babies and toddlers. The beautiful fragrance of this majestic flower, with its stunning petals, is especially lovely in an afternoon breeze. The magnolia has a slight lemony aroma with a touch of beautiful perfume. In the Bible, the Song of Solomon mentions the magnolia tree and describes it as a sign of beauty and love. A picture of a Southern Magnolia hangs in my kitchen as a reminder of these wonderful memories of the kids playing with the neighbor kids under its shade.  The Magnolia has over 300 different varieties, ranging in color from eggshell to red (red being the rarest). This flower has a long history in different cultures, from the Southern United States to many parts of Asia. The flower represents things like strength, beauty, perseverance, and purity. A tattoo of this flower can symbolize someone's ability to withstand challenges and keep going. In many practices, magnolias are linked to elegance and feminine energy. The magnolia is often referred to as the “perfect” flower, as it contains both male and female parts. Evolutionary models suggest a version of the magnolia was the first generalized ancestral flower known as the “Mother of all Flowers,” with fossils dating back 100 million years. The magnolia flower existed before bees. Scientists believe beetles were the primary pollinators of early flowering plants. The exact genus and species of these early pollinators are not precisely known due to limited fossil records. Tips for using magnolias as cut flowers: When you’re considering which flowers to pick, be selective. The flowers that are fully open and displaying their signature look are NOT the flowers you want. By cutting magnolias in the morning when the blooms begin to open, you know they spent the night with their pollinators. Use gloves when placing them in a vase as there will be a lot of pollen. If your event is on Saturday, wait until Saturday morning to cut your magnolias. Keep in water at room temperature. Do you have a favorite plant? We’d love for you to share it with us! Write a paragraph or so detailing the what and the why and send it to us at bchase@ci.sandy.or.us. And let us know if it’s OK for us to share your favorite in a future newsletter. As always, thank you for being here, |
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