Sustainable Seed Starting April Class

I have put the links to the videos from our Seed Starting class on the right under LINKS.  You can view the clam shell, closed system demonstration by Caleb Warnock, and the Soil Blocking demonstration by Clarence Whetten.

I have had great success using my sprouting bins with hot water to sprout my seeds before planting them.  They are sprouting quickly and I only plant the seeds that germinate, or sprout.  

- Allaire

Apple Grafting Class from Seed Savers Exchange

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mujxy4MG8wA&utm_source=SSE+2012+Webinar+Series&utm_campaign=f8cae24fb9-Webinar4_Thank_You&utm_medium=email

Utah Seed Exchange in Action

Our exchange has begun in earnest!  Members brought Heirloom Raspberry Canes, Egyptian Walking Onions and Red Potato Seedlings to our class on April 21st and they were thankfully given a home in other members gardens.  We will continue to have an table set up at the classes each month, so bring the seeds, cuttings and plants that you have to share, and come and take what you need.  For what you receive, we ask that you  grow, care for, and share them with us in the future!

Also, please bring your produce as it ripens for others to taste and help us find our favorites!

Please label what you bring, thanks.

Recommended Reading

I recommend a couple of books that you should have and read if you want to save heirloom seeds in Utah:

'The Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency Used by the Mormon Pioneers' by Caleb Warnock Forgotten Skills at Amazon also available locally in Utah at most book stores including Costco.
'Seed to Seed' by Suzanne Ashworth   Seed to Seed at Amazon

New to the Utah Seed Exchange

If you are new to the Utah Seed Exchange, and would like to be on the email list to be notified of meetings and events, please email your request to be added to utahseedexchange@gmail.com.

Introduction to Seed Saving Webinar from Seed Savers Exchange

Part 1  http://seedsavers.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4474a76b0fe1edee871ccdcee&id=6f42c66084&e=fa3da16c56

Part 2  http://seedsavers.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=4474a76b0fe1edee871ccdcee&id=0c18ab24cf&e=fa3da16c56

Part 3  http://seedsavers.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4474a76b0fe1edee871ccdcee&id=82a51e000f&e=fa3da16c56

Have Garter Snakes? Yeah for you!

Question asked by member: 

I was over at the property we are buying and noticed that there were a lot of garden (garter) snakes coming out. I don't know if it was because of the rain we had at the first of the week or not. I don't mind a few but do you know how to control the population of snakes and how do you have chickens with them. Won't they eat the chicks?

Answer by Caleb Warnock:

Garden snakes, also called garter snakes, are a wonderful organic pest control, and a lot of fun too. We have three at our house and we see at least one of them everyday now that it is spring. Like everything else, they are out early this year because it is unusually warm. Garter snakes feed primarily on slugs in the garden and are very beneficial -- they can eat a huge amount of slugs. Garter snakes never have teeth, and don't bite. Our three garter snakes (we've named them all Henry because we can't tell them apart and we call them "the Henries") wander free-range around our yard, garden, and pasture. The kids pick them up and play with them, as do I. They are also a great way to teach kids (and nervous parents) about the benefits of natural wildlife. Part of the reason we keep a pond in our backyard is to attract wildlife, including the snakes. Garter snakes also eat squash bugs and tomato worms. They are a blessing in the garden.