A Spring Break (full of rain)! 🌷🐇☔️

Rainy weather makes a comeback in Napa County just in time for spring break and Easter! I can’t remember the last time we had no rain in the month of March, but here it is on its last day!  So what’s good to plant in April in 2026?

Short answer: the same seeds and seedlings we’ve nurtured all March long are still good to plant in April. As the official final frost date approaches (April 15) for our county, there’s lots to do! A little strategic planning can make the best of this energetic time. Try hand removing hungry insects that are starting to nibble at your seedlings. If you have them, transplant a couple of tomato seedlings. (I typically wait until mid-April though). You can direct sow cucumbers and beans, but be sure to watch and protect them with row cover to avoid damage from insects, birds, and the occasional cold night as they emerge.

Indoors, start warm season crops like eggplants, okra, melons, and summer squashes, while your peppers continue to develop. You can continue to direct sow cool season crops like leafy greens, brassicas, and roots in succession as long as the cooler weather remains. Once they mature and start to bolt you can replace them with your warm season crops.

Direct Sow into Soil 🪴🥕🥦

borage, calendula, California poppy, cornflower, cosmos, lavender, lupine, nigella, scabiosa, strawflower, sweet peas, wildflower mixes

arugula, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celosia, chard, chives, collards, corn salad, kale, leeks, luffa, lettuce, mizuna, mustard greens, onion, pac choi, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, tatsoi

Start Seeds Indoors 🫑🍆🍅

agastache, alyssum, columbine, delphinium, echinacea, gaillardia, hollyhock, lobelia, lovage, milkweed, nicotiana, roselle, sunflower, tithonia, viola, yarrow

bergamot, catnip, oregano, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme

asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, fennel (bulb), lettuce, melons, okra, pepper, summer squash, tomato

OK to Transplant or Direct Sow but Protect from Frost ❄️⚠️🌱

tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers

It’s a great time to be in the garden. Enjoy the sunshine and get your hands into the dirt in April!

I don’t know about you, but I’m living each day more in the moment than ever before. And while that’s always a good thing, I’m discovering there are a lot more uncomfortable moments than comfortable ones lately. I’m deeply practicing how to cultivate calm and hopefulness, while observing and trying to integrate what I’m actually feeling.

Good thing for gardening. Now that we’re getting more sunshine here in Napa County, my garden invites me outdoors to play. What a gift. I receive it fully and count my blessings at season’s tender beginning. Staying humble, kind, and mindful of what I’m grateful for, I can begin again each day.

So if you weren’t aware, we’re about 6-8 weeks before our final frost date (around April 15 or so) in our county and seeds sown now will grow and offer pollinator habitat, beauty, food, and medicine to nourish your growing spaces and you. As you plant your seeds, be sure to protect those young emerging plants (seedlings) from extreme changes in temperature. Cover them with protective, breathable fabric (row cover) or a makeshift cloche (bell jar). Keep indoor seedlings healthy by watering them only after the soil fully dries out ; this will ward off fungus, bacteria, and pests. Pot up seedlings into larger containers as they grow to encourage strong roots.

Here’s a list of which seeds are best to start indoors and outdoors in Zone 9b.

Direct Sow These Seeds

Each of the seeds listed in this section can be planted (“sown”) directly into workable soil at this time in Zone 9b (Napa County’s USDA growing zone designation). Some seeds germinate best with help from sunlight, while others need to be buried deep underneath the soil. Follow the directions on the seed packet, or, using a general rule, plant a seed twice as deep as its widest side (its width or its length). Find out (search online) what particular conditions your seeds need to sprout.

Flowers

borage, calendula, California poppy, cornflower, cosmos, lavender, lupine, nigella, scabiosa, strawflower, sweet peas, wildflower mixes

Veggies

arugula, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celosia, chives, collards, fava bean, kale, leeks, luffa, lettuce, mustard greens, onion, pac choi, peas, radish, spinach

Start These Seeds Indoors

Starting seeds indoors requires some space near a warm, sunny window with enough airflow and early cover for them to thrive. Germinating seeds indoors gives crops like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant an early start, ahead of the danger of frost. Their growth requires warm soil and if you start them inside your home, or greenhouse, or garage shelf set-up (like mine), then you can get healthy young plants (seedlings) right when outdoor conditions are warm enough to receive them. Here’s a video that gives you beginner-level instructions about how to start seeds indoors. No need for fancy equipment, you can find most of what you’ll need at home. Try it!

Flowers

alyssum, columbine, delphinium, echinacea, gaillardia, hollyhock, hyssop, lobelia, lovage, milkweed, tobacco, sunflower, tithonia, viola, yarrow

Herbs

bergamot, catnip, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme

Veggies

asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, fennel (bulb), lettuce, onion, oregano, pepper, tomato

More soon. Meanwhile, let’s keep growing,

While I Was Out

This growing season has been weird. Good weird. Cool weather until just now and random starts to absolutely everything, including all the garden-and-farm-related stuff that occurred over the past three months. So it was wait, wait a bit more, then hurry up. Which explains how three months have passed since you’ve heard from me! I hope you have been keeping your hearts safe, your minds steady, your feet on the ground, and your hands busy tending the Earth or hugging loved ones.

I’m writing this while visiting San Diego with my daughter, a rising high school senior, who is definitely college-bound. I’m so proud for her, she’s put in all the work and now has many choices for her future. I’m also glad she’s firmly rooted in her community and home. The kinds of relationships and activities she’s formed are lasting bonds. The bonds that will keep her grounded even as she reaches for new horizons. I feel similarly, and eternally grateful, especially for long-time friends who help us enjoy these leaps of faith generation after generation.

So my plate is full, and so is my heart; there’s much growth happening behind the scenes. Here are a few spaces where I’ve been playing with good intentions and excellent companions.

Our Heritage Seed Farm Grows

Last year, I was graced with the opportunity to grow heritage seeds in the Oak Knoll district at an organic farm tended by the folks of Clif Family. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. (So maybe you can imagine it.)

Last year I grew about eight varieties of crops along eight, 200-bed feet of irrigated space. These crops celebrate cultures of Haiti, West and Central Africa, the Sonoran Desert, and Chihuahua, Mexico. They included the cultivated variety of corn that my grandmother enjoyed during summers in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and an open-pollinated tomato that crossed and stabilized right here in Napa County to produce a delicious beauty called Copia.

Although we all got a late start to properly welcome a grove of olives that needed space and light in the district, this year I planted a selection of crops from Native Seed Search’s seed bank collection. These seeds primarily originate from the To’hono O’odham in the Southwest and Rarámuri of the Sonoran Desert and Copper Canyon in northern Mexico. To check for vigor and germination on a second-grow out, I re-planted crops I grew the year before: Jadu’i’ watermelon (Jenin, Palestine), green pigeon pea (Haiti), And to round things out, I planted Sistah Seeds’ Sea Island red okra that originates from the Gullah Geechee Nation in Georgia.

As I hold in my hand these rich archives of history and lived experiences and release them into the soil I feel an obligation to nurture their continued resilience through cultivating more seed to share. It’s absolutely magic. I contemplate these mysteries while weeding and neither mere words nor fleeting thoughts describe my satisfaction and curiosity with the whole thing.

What makes the endeavor ultimately worthwhile is sharing it with friends who helped begin the process, the adventure itself, and those who will receive the bounty on the giving end… if we all make it there.

For updates on this latest journey in seed farming, follow me and friends @8linesheritageseed on Instagram. (Yeah, I’m a bit behind on my posts there, too!)

And Tomatoganza! is Here Again

Our third annual Tomatoganza! is just 1 week away. This signature event is our summer food fest, fundraiser, and taste-off to award “The Local Favorites” — the best-tasting cherry and heirloom varieties from local Napa County farms!

Now in its third year, the CIA at Copia is our host, and in their beautiful culinary gardens, chefs offer tomato-forward small bites, while purveyors bring the pairings we crave to savor well with THE most popular summer fruit.

Honestly, I’m lucky to be surrounded by abundance in this county and the friendships that I’ve formed over the years. And because of these connections, the Napa County Seed Library is able to give back to the community while building an appreciation for what we have and what we can return to support each other. A big shout out to our sponsors who continue to make this event top-notch:

Adrian Causor and his crew at The CIA at Copia
Bree Duoma at Bohemian Flowers
Jess Arnsteen at Long Meadow Ranch
Brent and Brenda Hebb at B&B Gardens
Martin Podell at The Model Bakery
Bonnie and Shecky Miluso at Napa Nuts

We are really impressed with the participating farms this year and equally thrilled with the variety selections they plan to bring. Get ready to mingle with the best growers in the county and savor the finest tomatoes grown this summer:

Patrick Deasy, Stepping Stone Farm
Peter Jacobsen, Jacobsen Orchards
Ellen Chan, 5 Row Farm
Vanessa Giampaoli, Trefethen Family Winery ~ La Huerta Farm
Teresa Kao, The French Laundry
Matt Sampson, Meadowood Napa Valley
Tessa Henry, Clif Family Winery & Farm

And to add to the impending joy, we have the BEST local purveyors to round out the experience:

Minerva Gonzalez, De’Canela Bakery
Terri and Brook Penquite, Nova Terra Kitchen & Creamery
Charlie Sandy and Marcela Hernandez, Grove 45

We welcome you to enjoy all the festivities: seed saving demos, bestowed ribbons, and saved seeds to plant in your garden spaces. Nothing better than homegrown, right? Get your tickets! 🎟️👇🏾

Tomatoganza! 2025
Sunday, August 10th, 2025
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
CIA at Copia Gardens
500 1st Street Napa, CA 94559

$20/person, $48/group of 3, T-shirt $20
Free tote with ticket purchase (while supplies last)

🍅 RSVP: https://thethirdplace.is/event/tomatoganza-2025

Just as We Sow Seeds in August for Fall Harvests

If you’re envisioning a late summer and fall harvest, you can start Brussels sprouts and cabbage seeds indoors now to transplant into your soil or raised beds in late August and early September. If you don’t want to fuss with all that, you can direct sow leeks, broccoli, chard, beets, and carrots or flowers like snapdragons and pansies right now. See below for a full list of seeds to start in August in our growing zone (9b).

The outdoor seed library annexes will be closed for about a week until the average temperatures dip below 80 degrees. But no worries, you can borrow seeds from the annexes at the St. Helena Library and Napa Library during this mini heatwave and toast the peak of summer with a freshly sliced tomato sandwich. Go ahead, you deserve it.

A summer food fest, taste-off, fundraiser, and seed-saving event hosted by the CIA at Copia in support of the Napa County Seed Library.

Sunday, August 10th, 2025
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
CIA at Copia gardens
500 1st Street Napa, CA 94559

Tickets $20/person
Tomatoganza! t-shirt $20
Get a free tote with your ticket purchase (while supplies last) 🍅

Imagine ~

Mingle with friends in a beautiful garden setting at the CIA at Copia while you sample and savor the season's best beefsteak and cherry varieties. Up to 10 local farms participate as you vote to award "The Local Favorites.”

Taste tomato-forward bites prepared by Copia chefs and other local vendors as you enjoy opportunities to chat about best practices to produce the healthiest, most flavorful tomato varieties with the farmers who grow them.

Join live demos hosted by Napa County Seed Library seedkeepers who'll show you how to save tomato seeds from the world’s most popular fruit.

Sound good? This is your personal invitation to join us for Tomatoganza! — now in its third year. Click RSVP below and get your tickets and t-shirts today!

RSVP

Para celebrar el Día de la Tierra este año, la Biblioteca de Semillas del Condado de Napa y la División de Servicios de Reciclaje y Residuos de la Ciudad de Napa están colaborando para fomentar la jardinería doméstica utilizando materiales reciclables y regenerativos. Esperamos que disfrute de los kits de plantación que hemos creado para el Día de la Tierra Napa evento que tendrá lugar el próximo sábado, 12 de abril en el Oxbow Commons para apoyar la Coalición de Educación Ambiental del Condado de Napa. Los kits de plantación se completan con semillas de caléndula de origen local, guía de plantación, ejemplos vivos y compost trabajado en una mezcla de plántulas para una divertida actividad familiar.

Aunque Lavender y yo no estaremos allí para compartir la diversión ese día, sabemos que estarás en buenas manos con la gente del stand de Napa Recycling. Agradecemos especialmente a Jenaye (nuestra vecina) y a Berfin (nuestro viejo amigo) que se hayan puesto en contacto con nosotros para participar.

Acerca de la caléndula

La caléndula es una hierba (también conocida como caléndula de maceta) fácil de cultivar a partir de semillas. Es una planta ideal para cultivar con niños, en macetas o arriates elevados, o a lo largo de los bordes (aunque no plante a los niños) 😉

El clima del condado de Napa permite que esta planta anual persista todo el año como perenne. La caléndula alcanza unos 30 cm de altura y 20 cm de anchura. Tiene hojas verdes, gruesas, en forma de cuchara y flores anaranjadas parecidas a las margaritas. La caléndula se planta mejor en primavera y florece hasta el verano.

Las caléndulas son fáciles de identificar, pero pueden confundirse con la popular caléndula común de la especie Tagetes (las que son estupendas para mantener las plagas fuera del jardín). Las dos pertenecen a la misma familia de plantas Asteraceae. Asegúrate de que tienes la correcta antes de usar los pétalos de sus flores para comer o hacer medicinas. Esta tabla de Unruly Gardening compara sus diferencias.

Cultivo de la caléndula a partir de semillas

La caléndula es muy fácil de cultivar a partir de semillas. Siembra las semillas a 1/2 pulgada de profundidad de marzo a mayo en tierra suelta que drene bien. Puedes plantarlas en una maceta, en un arriate elevado o en una bandeja de 6 celdas. Plantar directamente en suelo nativo es lo más fácil: planta las semillas con una separación de 6-12 pulgadas o esparce las semillas y aclara las plántulas a 8 pulgadas de distancia cuando alcancen 2 pulgadas de altura o sean lo suficientemente fuertes para manejarlas. Plante las semillas (o trasplante las plántulas) en una zona de pleno sol a sombra parcial. La caléndula crece de 10 a 12 pulgadas de alto y produce flores de color naranja brillante, que son comestibles, medicinales y se utilizan para teñir telas de color amarillo.

Guardar semillas de caléndula

Como la caléndula se resiembra fácilmente en el jardín, es una de las semillas más fáciles y más comúnmente guardadas. Guardar semillas de caléndula con niños ofrece asombro y éxito. Las semillas de caléndula son únicas: rizadas y en forma de coma con cortas púas a lo largo de sus curvas. Es una de mis favoritas por su aspecto inusual. A medida que las flores maduran, los pétalos se secan y se marchitan hasta convertirse en hilos fibrosos descoloridos, dejando al descubierto las semillas verdes que se desarrollan debajo.

Cuando estas semillas inmaduras adquieran un color tostado y se vuelvan secas y rígidas, notará que algunas empiezan a desprenderse del capítulo. Recoja los capítulos en esta fase y guárdelos en una bolsa de papel para que las semillas se sequen por completo. A medida que lo hagan, algunas caerán al fondo de la bolsa. Al cabo de unas 2 semanas, te gustará sacar las semillas de los capítulos metiendo la mano por debajo del capítulo y haciéndoles cosquillas con el pulgar. En el vídeo que aparece a continuación, explico las maravillas de la caléndula, sus usos y cómo guardar sus semillas.

Conservación de las semillas de caléndula

Transfiera las semillas completamente secas a un sobre, tarro u otro recipiente seco y sellado y etiquételo con su nombre, el año de cosecha, el tipo de semilla (flor), el nombre común (Caléndula o caléndula de maceta) y el nombre científico (Calendula officianalis).

Para un almacenamiento a largo plazo, guarda las semillas en un lugar fresco, oscuro y seco, lejos de la luz solar directa y de la humedad. Puede guardar las semillas en un armario, despensa, frigorífico o congelador. Si se almacenan adecuadamente, las semillas de caléndula seguirán siendo viables durante 6 años (posiblemente más). Asegúrate de devolver algunas de las semillas a la biblioteca de semillas, ¡y compártelas con tus vecinos, familiares y amigos!

Una hierba con múltiples usos

Como hierba comestible

Las flores de caléndula tienen múltiples usos y beneficios. Frescos, los pétalos son comestibles; secos, en infusión o en té, ayudan a la digestión y curan la piel. También aportan un intenso tono amarillo a los tejidos como tinte vegetal.

Como hierba medicinal

Los mismos pétalos comestibles de la flor de caléndula, una vez secos, son excelentes en infusión para facilitar la digestión. Cuando se sumergen en aceites que lubrican la piel (por ejemplo, de almendras dulces, jojoba, coco), sus propiedades son un remedio para dolencias cutáneas como sarpullidos, picaduras, quemaduras solares, cicatrices y pequeños rasguños. Los aceites de caléndula se pueden preparar en un ungüento para el cuidado de la piel sobre la marcha. Hace un par de años, mi amiga Jennifer me enseñó su secreto para remojar pétalos secos de caléndula en aceite de coco. Sus productos para el cuidado de la piel son los MEJORES. (Y ahora sé cómo hacer los míos).

Como tinte amarillo para tejidos

He aquí otro uso creativo y beneficioso de la caléndula. Puedes utilizar los pétalos secos para teñir telas de amarillo. No lo he probado, y hay otras plantas que se usan más para hacer tintes amarillos, pero la caléndula está en la lista. Si esta idea te inspira, descubre más en Fiber Artsy y A Farm to Keep.

Hoy he disfrutado trayéndote las maravillas de una hierba bonita y poderosa que no sabías que necesitabas. Feliz Día de la Tierra (casi), siembra caléndula generosamente esta temporada, y recuerda celebrarlo todo el año. 🏵️

To Celebrate Earth Day this year, the Napa County Seed Library and the City of Napa’s Recycling and Waste Services Division are collaborating to encourage home gardening using recyclable and regenerative materials. We hope you’ll enjoy the planting kits we created for the Earth Day Napa event happening this coming Saturday, April 12th at the Oxbow Commons to support the Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County. The planting kits come complete with locally sourced calendula seeds, planting guidance, live examples, and compost worked into a seedling mix for a fun family activity.

Although Lavender and I won’t be there to share in the fun that day, we know you’ll be in great hands with the folks at the Napa Recycling booth. We especially thank Jenaye (our neighbor) and Berfin (our long-time friend) for reaching out to us to participate.

About Calendula

Calendula is an herb (also known as pot marigold) that is easy to grow from seed. It is an ideal plant to grow with kids, in containers or raised beds, or along borders (don’t plant the kids though). 😉

Napa County’s climate allows this annual plant to persist year-round as a perennial. Calendula grows to about 12 inches tall and 8 inches wide. It bears thick, spoon-handle-shaped, green leaves and bright-orange, daisy-like flowers. Calendula is best planted in spring and blooms until summertime.

Calendula are easy to identify but can be confused with the popular common marigold of the Tagetes species (the ones that are great at keeping pests out of the garden). The two belong to the same plant family: Asteraceae. Be sure you have the right one before using its flower petals for eating or making medicine. This chart by Unruly Gardening compares their differences.

Growing Calendula from Seed

Calendula are super easy to grow from seed. Plant seeds 1/2 in deep from March through May in well-draining, loose soil. You can plant them in a pot, a raised bed, or in a 6-cell tray. Planting directly into native soil is easiest: plant seeds 6-12 inches apart or scatter seeds and thin the seedlings to 8 inches apart when they reach 2 inches tall or are strong enough to handle. Plant seeds (or transplant seedlings) in an area with full sun to partial shade. Calendula grows 10 to 12 inches tall and bears bright orange flowers, which are edible, medicinal, and used for yellow fabric dye.

Saving Calendula Seed

Because Calendula easily re-seeds in the garden, it’s one of the easiest and most commonly saved seeds. Saving calendula seeds with children offers wonder and success. Calendula seeds are unique: curly and comma-shaped with short barbs along their curves! It’s one of my favorites because of its unusual appearance. As flowers mature, the petals dry out and wither to faded stringy threads, exposing green seeds developing underneath.

As these immature seeds turn to a tan color and become dry and stiff, you’ll notice that a few will begin to fall off of the flower head. Harvest the flower heads at this stage and store them in a paper bag so the seeds can continue to fully dry. As they do, some will fall into the bottom of the bag. After about 2 weeks, you’ll enjoy removing the seeds from the heads by cupping your hand under the flower head and tickling the seeds off with your thumb! In the video below, I share about the wonders of calendula, its uses, and how to save its seed.

Storing Calendula Seed

Transfer the fully dried seeds into an envelope, jar, or other dry, sealed container and label it with your name, the harvest year, the seed type (flower), common name (Calendula or pot marigold) and the scientific name (Calendula officianalis).

For long-term storage, store the seeds in a cool, dark, dry area away from direct sunlight and moisture. You can keep the seeds in a closet, pantry, refrigerator, or freezer. When stored properly calendula seeds will remain viable for 6 years (possibly more). Be sure to return some of the seeds to the seed library, and share them with your neighbors, family, and friends!

An Herb with Multiple Uses

Calendula flowers have multiple uses and benefits. Flower petals are edible when fresh; when dried and steeped for tea or infused in oil, these same petals aid digestion and heal the skin. They also impart rich yellow hues to fabric as a plant dye.

As an Edible Herb

The bright, sunny petals of fresh Calendula flowers smell tropical, taste a bit citrus-y and have a chewy texture. It’s an eye-appealing addition sprinkled on salads or as a substitute for saffron, added to soups, rice, or omelettes — the rich yellow hues intensify the color of a warm dish. Get creative! This herb is versatile and delicious, and a little goes a long way.

As a Medicinal Herb

The same edible petals of the Calendula blossom, when dried, are excellent steeped in water for tea to aid digestion. When immersed in oils that lubricate the skin (e.g., sweet almond, jojoba, coconut), its properties are a cure-all for skin complaints like rashes, stings, sunburn, scars, and minor scrapes. Calendula-infused oils can be made into a salve for skin care on-the-go. A couple of years ago, my friend Jennifer taught me her secret to soaking dried calendula petals in coconut oil. Her skincare products are the BEST! (And now I know how to make my own.)

As a Yellow Dye for Fabric

Here’s another creative and beneficial use for calendula. You can use the dried petals to make a yellow fabric dye. Now I haven’t tried this, and there are other plants more commonly used to make yellow dyes, but calendula makes the short list! If this idea inspires you, learn more from Fiber Artsy and A Farm to Keep.

I enjoyed bringing you the wonders of a pretty and powerful herb you never knew you needed today! Happy Earth Day (almost), seed calendula liberally this season, and remember to celebrate all year. 🏵️

Let the Planets Begin 🪐

Some of you know I’m an astrology nerd. (It’s not all seeds with me, I swear!) I love tracking the movements of the planets and right now we’re at a turning point of a HUGE transformation all because of the cosmic lineup of events that elapsed over the past 10 days: the spring equinox (March 20), a partial solar eclipse in Aries (March 29), and Neptune entering the sign of Aries (March 30). These events all usher in what’s new.

In Western astrology the sign of Aries — depicted by the ram - is considered the first sign of the Zodiac. Aries initiates action, new beginnings, and explosive, forward-moving, confident (albeit impulsive) energy.

What does this have to do with gardening or seeds? Maybe nothing. But it does portend that YOU have an opportunity to sense this grand shift in the Universe, the microcosm that is you, and use these planetary-born winds of change to transform your own world.

Seeds to Sow in April 🌸

By April, sunny weather arrives in Napa County just in time for spring break and Easter. After alternating bursts of wet, cold, mildly sunny, then 80-degrees, then windy weather, we’re either going with the flow or we’re over it.

So what’s good to plant in April in early spring?

You’ll do best to plant and nurture most of the same seeds and seedlings you tended in March. That’s right, these seeds are still good to go in April in Zone 9b (Napa County).

As the water drains through your garden soils, carefully work (or rework) the ground to about 1/2 inch depth. Do a little strategic planning, hand remove small beings (in my garden pillbugs and snails happily munch my young seedlings) that emerge to undo your handiwork. If you have them ready — *cautiously* transplant a couple of tomato seedlings (Personally, I’d wait until mid-April; according to Dave’s garden calendar, the final frost dates for spring in St. Helena, Calistoga, and Angwin are March 4, March 26, and April 16, respectively. Be sure to have back-up seedlings ready in case of losses due to weather, soil, or competing interests.)

You can direct sow beets, carrots, cucumbers, and beans as the soil warms to 50 deg F, but protect them with row cover to avoid damage from frost during cold nights. Start warm season crops like eggplants, okra, melons, and summer squashes indoors, while your peppers and tomatoes continue to develop. You can direct sow cool season crops like leafy greens, brassicas, and radishes in succession as long as cooler weather remains. Once they mature and start to bolt (in other words, they begin to produce flowers) you can replace them with the warm season crops.

It’s a fabulous time to be in the garden. Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air and get your hands dirty.

Direct Sow These Seeds

flowers: borage, calendula, California poppy, cosmos, lavender, lupine, nigella, scabiosa, strawflower, sunflower, sweet peas, wildflower mixes; veggies: arugula, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celosia, chard, chives, collards, corn salad, kale, leeks, luffa, lettuce, mizuna, mustard greens, onion, pac choi, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, tatsoi

Start These Seeds Indoors

flowers: agastache, alyssum, columbine, delphinium, echinacea, gaillardia, hollyhock, lobelia, lovage, milkweed, nicotiana, roselle, sunflower, tithonia, viola, yarrow; herbs: bergamot, catnip, oregano, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme; veggies: asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, fennel (bulb), lettuce, melons, okra, pepper, summer squash, tomato

It’s OK to Transplant These Seedlings or Direct Sow These Seeds, but Protect Them from Frost
tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers

Planting Wintersown Seeds 🌱

Winter sowing is a game changer. Period. Here are photos of the seeds I grew from January 20 through March 20. Six varieties were transplanted on February 25, and the remaining twelve are ready to be transplanted now. What a remarkable method to discover! I’m entirely grateful to Elizabeth who demonstrates this method with ease. If you didn’t get a chance to practice this method beginning in January, there are a couple of weeks to get a few seed types started. But honestly, the magic for me happened in the dead of winter here in Napa. And I wouldn’t have it any other way going forward. I’m hooked.

Jeffrey Pine Annex + American Canyon Community Garden 🌲

I traveled to the American Canyon Community Garden last week to view and select the garden plot that we were granted, excited about its potential for the season. Sam was there — he’s the guy who helps tend several plots for others in their absence - so I introduced myself and picked his brain for ideas. He suggested plot J1 for the seed library. As we chatted, I realized I hadn’t checked the annex since my last visit where I found its contents raided. I opened the cabinet to find the baskets returned! With some amount of faith restored (and prior conversations with Jeff Freed and Kim Moreno, its seed keepers, offering solutions), we’ve decided to restore the seeds there beginning mid-April after the last frost date. BUT they will be kept in jars instead of envelopes and watched over closely by Kim, Sam, Jeff, and me. Protect your resource, respect these seeds, and treasure this community project. If we give a little, get a little, we come away with a lot more. I promise.

4th Annual Seed Swap: Call for Volunteers 📣

We need 5 more people to help with our 4th Annual Seed Swap happening SATURDAY, April 5th! The seed swap will be held at the CIA at Copia gardens located at 500 First Street in Napa. The swap goes from 11 am to 3:00 pm and we need assistance from 9:30 am through 3:30 pm. Use this Google Form link to select from 1-hour shifts: https://forms.gle/jSd71oB3kUaCkuet8.

You don’t need to be an experienced gardener or seed saver to help out. Just be yourself! When you volunteer, everything you do creates an amazing, inspiring experience for others – you won’t regret it.

Just One More

Ahhh… cheers to Spring!

Seed you soon,

TONIGHT! See the Opening Documentary at the 2025 Fork2Film Festival

Farming While Black is more than a documentary — it’s a movement.

Follow the rising generation of Black farmers reclaiming their rightful ownership of land and reconnecting with their ancestral roots. From historical injustices to modern-day resilience, this film is a call to action for all of us to reconnect with the land and fight for justice. Don’t miss this powerful documentary screening of Farming While Black at the 2nd Annual Fork2Film Festival. Showtime is 5:00 pm tonight Thursday 3/6 at the Cameo Cinema in St. Helena. After the film, join Director Mark Decena on stage, with Chef Darryl Bell of Stateline Road Smokehouse, Winemaker Victoria Coleman, and Farmer Tvaso Scott-Femenella (not pictured) for an in-person Q&A.

Watch the trailer below to glimpse into the powerful stories of Black farmers reclaiming their roots and revolutionizing agriculture. The Napa County Seed Library is proud co-sponsor of the film, along with the Western Monarch Society. We’re sending a huge shout out to Emma Steele, Tessa Henry, and Erin Arnsteen for coordinating the film’s entry, panelists, and promotion. Tickets are selling fast and likely to sell out! Follow this link to attend and learn more.

Can’t make it? Here are your calls to action to support Black farmers in agriculture across the country.

• Uplift Black Farmer priorities with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives.

• Fund Black land sovereignty at BlackFarmerFund.org.

• Support Afro-Indigenous Food Sovereignty at SoulFireFarm.org, BlackDirtFarmCollective.com, and Rise & Root Farm.

4th Annual Seed Swap at the CIA at Copia

Are you ready? Then get set… and let’s swap seeds!

4th Annual Seed Swap

We’re excited to gather again at the CIA at Copia gardens for our fourth year hosting a community-wide seed swap. Come ready to exchange seeds, tips, and goodwill. Bring your organic seeds dry, clean, clearly labeled and sealed and hang out with other enthusiastic gardeners, farmers, and plant lovers as we celebrate new garden visions at springtime.

Saturday, April 5th, 2025
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
CIA at Copia gardens
500 First Street, Napa CA 94559

How to Prepare Seeds for a Swap

Label your seeds clearly
📝 crop type
📝 common or variety name
📝 your name (as seed saver / donor)
📝 company's name (if from a commercial seed company)
📝 harvest date (or the “packed for” date if from a commercial seed company)

Select only the best
🫘 organically grown (labeled organic or non-GMO)
🫘 untreated, clean, dry, free of dirt, debris, leaves, stems, or pods
🫘 clearly labeled (see above) and sealed in jars, envelopes, paper bags, or commercial seed packets

All seed and cash donations to the Napa County Seed Library are tax-deductible (tax ID #85-0755714). Thank you for helping us provide a regenerative and equitable resource for Napa County!

The Future of Seed Sovereignty is in Your Hands

Our efforts are all about supporting community with organic seed, grown both locally and from regions with climate signatures similar to Napa County. But let me take a moment here to talk about Seed Sovereignty. Like friends from ethical seed companies like Sow True Seed, Adaptive Seeds, and Open Circle Seeds, we only exchange open-pollinated varieties. We want you, farmers, backyard growers, master gardeners, and everyone to have the power to save their seed if they want to, or if they need to.

As you build community where you live, as a gardening enthusiast and educator, you are in a great position to spread this message. After all, food security lays on the foundations of seed security. This responsibility should be in the power of the growers and not “Big Ag.” Saving seed is experiencing another revival, now seen and remembered as an essential skill among people who are serious about sustainable food systems and caring for one another. Food for thought! So this season, maybe you can try and save one (or two) seed varieties so next year you’ll feel awesome when you don’t have to worry about where your bean seeds are coming from.

New to saving beans? We’ve got you! Watch for two opportunities to learn how to save the Rio Zape bean, a cultural favorite grown organically here in Angwin by Clif Family’s Farm Manager Tessa Henry. We’ll be taking on this seed-saving effort together, as a community, cultivating this humble bean and saving and sharing them at the end of the season.

Sowing Seeds in March

Celebrate the onset of Spring

We've made it to March! Can you feel the excitement as the spring equinox approaches? If you haven’t started already, now is a great time to plant seeds: both indoors and outdoors.

Seeds sown in March create pollinator habitat, beauty, and medicine to nourish your growing spaces and you. Be sure to protect any young seedlings from frost damage and keep indoor seedlings healthy by watering only after the soil dries out to ward off fungus, mold, bacteria, or pests. Pot them into larger containers as they grow to encourage strong roots. Below is a list of seeds to sow in March in Zone 9b (Napa County’s growing zone).

Here’s What Happened Offline

Feeling more like a groundhog than ever lately, I found myself tunneling new pathways all while avoiding traps that sap my energy. Typical winter activities came with a twist and new endeavors were truly inspiring, informative, and less difficult than I thought. Here’s what I was up to since I wrote last.

Growing with the Organic Seed Alliance

For the very first time I attended the Organic Seed Grower’s Conference, typically held every two years and hosted by Organic Seed Alliance. After a hiatus in 2023, this conference reconvened and was hands down THE BEST I’ve ever attended. (I’ve attended and planned many conferences—so this review is not an exaggeration!)

So many people, long dedicated to growing seed sustainably for all its many joys, were truly present and available to share stories, knowledge, questions, and fears — but mostly to instill hope and fortitude and plan(t) for the future. The seed education session I participated in with Amirah Mitchell, Roxanne Masters, Chris Keeve, and Chris Smith rocked my world and gave me a chance to uplift the Ira Wallace Seed School and the OSA Seed Production Course, both of which have given me the tools and confidence to continue. As a result, and the continued encouragement and respect given by more experienced seed growers, I was selected to participate in the OSA’s OSPREY seed variety breeding trials this year! Wish I had snapped more pic but I was too busy having fun.

Testing Seed Germination

At the close of my efforts for the Ira Wallace Seed School, I was tasked with testing seed germination on the heritage seeds I grew last season. Results were varied, but largely positive. The seeds I felt uncertain about at harvest did show decreased vitality (watermelon), but the germination success of other types (sorghum, green pigeon pea, golden bantam corn) came through remarkably.I’ll expand on this topic in a later newsletter, and maybe in a series of short videos.

Winter Sowing

Ok, winter sowing is officially a GAME CHANGER! Folks! It’s not too late. All of March you can sow seeds early with minimal effort and maximum results. I was blown away by how much less I needed to tend to seeds started early just by using this method. It’s simply allowing nature to take its course by letting the seeds, soil, moisture and warmth within a “mini greenhouse” determine when germination and early growth will occur. It happens NATURALLY and there’s no better way to experience the truth of this than by using the winter sowing method. Super huge thanks to Elizabeth @wintersowing on Instagram for providing very easy to follow instructions and super engagement at the right time to keep people on the path to success.

Una semana de enero y algunas de mis plantas están en pie y listas 👀, pero ¡agárrate! Todavía no he llegado a ese punto. El comienzo del año puede sentirse apresurado y urgente, pero honestamente estoy cultivando el descanso y la conexión a tierra. Salir despacio a saludar a mis vecinos con breves charlas y visitas es lo más destacado de cada día. Enfoques lentos para todo, desde el té hasta el compost, hacen que las cosas parezcan fáciles ahora mismo. La isla de las tortugas.

Saludos

Diecinueve nuevos suscriptores se han suscrito al boletín de noticias Cool Beans! de la Red de Bibliotecas de Semillas. ¡Aww! Me encanta que estéis dispuestos a intercambiar ideas e historias sobre semillas. Bienvenidos a todos y también a los 99 suscriptores que he añadido de la lista de contactos que cultivamos en los primeros días de la Biblioteca de Semillas del Condado de Napa.

El contenido y la comunidad están diseñados para ser útiles e inspiradores en este boletín, pero si al final no es lo tuyo, siempre puedes darte de baja al final de la página. Para conocer cosas interesantes sobre quiénes somos y cómo hemos llegado hasta aquí, lee la página Acerca de.

Acerca de SEED TAPE

¿Qué nos espera en 2025?

Sí, entre todos hemos conseguido concretar algunas cosas en la primera semana...

Ya tenemos nuestro calendario de actos para 2025. Si desea más información, consulte en nuestro sitio web la lista completa de actos a los que asistiremos u organizaremos este año.

Próximos eventos

(Nuestro 4º Intercambio Anual de Semillas está previsto para el 5 de abril, mientras que el Día Nacional del Intercambio de Semillas es el 25 de enero. Cool Beans! cubrió este evento antes de tiempo para ofrecer recursos sobre cómo organizar tu propio intercambio de semillas en la última edición).

• Dane y yo revisamos nuestra estrategia de medios sociales para alinearla con el calendario de eventos y juntos fijamos un plan sólido. Estamos impacientes por volver al huerto y filmar unos cortos estupendos para vosotros.

• Podé un poco de esa milenrama, por fin, y eché un vistazo a las otras plantas invernantes que también van bien, cada una aportando nutrientes al suelo y viviendo su mejor vida. (No puedo creer que ahora mismo tenga una tomatera en flor).

• Gracias a nuestros voluntarios, las semillas vuelven poco a poco a los anexos. Para encontrar el anexo más cercano, pulse aquí. A mediados de enero volverán a estar totalmente abastecidos.

• Capturas aleatorias de plantas, hongos y cosas relacionadas con el jardín llegan a SEED TAPE en «PlantSnaps».

Estoy agradecido de estar aquí con vosotros.

Hasta pronto,

P.D. Los artículos de SEED TAPE salieron a finales de diciembre. Puedes visitar la página de inicio para encontrar los que te hayas perdido.

EcoFarm

El final de enero trajo consigo una gran cantidad de contactos con gente que cultiva de todo, especialmente semillas. Asistí por primera vez a la 45ª Conferencia Anual EcoFarm con varios amigos agricultores. Situada en Pacific Grove, en el Centro de Conferencias Asilomar, las puestas de sol costeras, la comida y las personas con ideas afines fueron incomparables, así como las presentaciones, las conversaciones paralelas y el famoso intercambio de semillas. Además, por fin pude ver la película de Mark Decena Farming While Black, en la que aparece una de mis agricultoras y activistas por la justicia alimentaria favoritas, Leah Penniman, de Soul Fire Farm.

Es difícil expresar con palabras los significativos intercambios que experimentamos: nos sentimos llenos de energía, activados. La agricultura sigue necesitando reparaciones, reestructuración y una nueva imagen, pero los compromisos para actuar en nombre de los trabajadores agrícolas, la salud del suelo, la recuperación de los alimentos y la transformación del sistema alimentario fueron inspiradores y reales. Muchas gracias a Clif Family Foundation por patrocinar mi asistencia y a Tessa Henry, Teresa Kao, Mabel Wilms y Jen Lang por toda la diversión.

Webinar de la Biblioteca de Semillas de la Universidad de Arizona

Mientras estaba en la conferencia, también di una charla virtual en el seminario web de la Biblioteca de Semillas de la Universidad de Arizona sobre «Cómo empezar una Biblioteca de Semillas desde cero». Props a Anita Thompson y otros que organizaron este gran evento. Pat Sobrero y yo dimos una charla similar en 2023 que Anita escuchó y me invitó a hablar sobre el tema de nuevo. Si usted está interesado en iniciar una biblioteca de semillas, Pat y yo cubrimos los conceptos básicos (toque la imagen de abajo para el video). Entenderás los diferentes enfoques que adoptamos para crear la nuestra, así como los aspectos similares que la mayoría de las bibliotecas de semillas adoptan para funcionar bien.

Semillas para sembrar en febrero

Aquí estamos en febrero, ¡mi mes favorito! Celebro todas las mejores cosas este mes - mi hija y yo cumplimos años el mismo día 🎂🎂, elevamos la Historia Negra/Futuro Negro por un sólido 28 días ✊🏾, es el mes más corto ... y no se olvide el Día de San Valentín (hola cariño 😘).

En California tenemos la suerte de disfrutar de una larga temporada de cultivo. Podemos plantar las semillas directamente en el suelo, sembrarlas en jarras de leche de plástico o bolsas con cremallera, y comenzar a cultivarlas en el interior. Recientemente he añadido la siembra de invierno en bolsas a mis habilidades.

Esto es lo que estoy haciendo ahora en mi huerto:

• Seleccionar y organizar las semillas para sembrarlas en el interior y en el exterior.

• Controlar el tiempo para que no se produzcan daños por heladas

• Crear una mezcla de plántulas para las semillas que cultivaré en el interior

• Comprobar mis siembras de invierno (¡los rábanos, el brécol y las berzas están listos!)

• Poda de rosales y hortensias; acolchado

• Comprobación de la viabilidad de las semillas guardadas en otoño (o semillas almacenadas más antiguas) mediante una sencilla prueba de germinación

Aquí tienes una breve lista de semillas que puedes plantar en febrero en la zona 9b. Esta es una lista parcial, hay muchas más. Encuentra tus favoritas o decídete a cultivar nuevas variedades. Las posibilidades son infinitas. Siembra las semillas con amor.

Siembra directa estas verduras 🪴🥕🥦 remolacha, brócoli, col, zanahoria, coliflor, cebollino, haba, col rizada, puerro, lechuga, cebolla, guisante, rábano, espinaca

Siembra directa de estas flores 🌸🪷🌼 borraja, caléndula, nigella, escabiosa, flor de la fresa, guisante de olor, milenrama

Siembra estas semillas en interior 🫑🍆🍅 apio, berenjena, pimiento, tomate

Altadena histórica

El devastador incendio de Eaton, en el condado de Los Ángeles, arrasó el barrio históricamente negro de Altadena y su red de intercambio de semillas, la Biblioteca de Semillas de Altadena. Según un reciente informe de datos de la Universidad de California en Los Ángeles, la comunidad se enfrenta a consecuencias e impactos desproporcionados.

Cuando me enteré, me puse en contacto con Nina Raj, creadora de la Biblioteca de Semillas de Altadena, y le hice saber que enviaríamos semillas autóctonas de California para restaurar la biblioteca. Jen y yo nos ofrecimos a reunir voluntarios para la biorremediación del suelo y las plantas cuando llegue el momento. Seguimos enviando nuestros pensamientos más esperanzadores y curativos y seguimos en contacto. Para ayudar a restaurar Altadena y asistir a sus residentes desplazados, revisa este post de Tahiira Habibi. Para ayudar a restaurar las plantas y semillas autóctonas, sigue la Biblioteca de Semillas de Altadena.

Si estás interesado en ofrecerte como voluntario para la biorrehabilitación de plantas nativas en la zona de Altadena cuando llegue el momento, comenta este post. Muchas gracias.

Deja un comentario … ⤵️

Leave a comment

Nuevo asalto al anexo de Jeffrey Pine

Me resulta difícil relatar esta triste noticia. Prefiero ser optimista y positiva. Pero tenéis que oírla. Las existencias de semillas en el anexo de pinos Jeffrey fueron asaltadas POR TERCERA VEZ desde que lo abrimos en American Canyon. Cada vez que lo han asaltado, se han llevado TODAS LAS SEMILLAS, incluidos tarros enteros de semillas y las cestas en cuestión de días.

Kim Monero, su cuidadora de semillas, y yo nos sentimos frustrados, enfadados y con el corazón roto al darnos cuenta de que algunas personas eligen sistemáticamente ser irrespetuosas y egoístas.

Los anexos de la biblioteca de semillas exigen respeto, gratitud y el compromiso de compartir y devolver las semillas. Los anexos funcionan bajo un sistema de honor y esperamos que la gente lo siga. Mucha gente da su tiempo y sus recursos para que estén disponibles en tu barrio. Si se sigue haciendo un mal uso de algún anexo, lo retiraremos.

Por favor, envíe un mensaje si tiene información sobre este robo. El anexo de Jeffrey Pine permanecerá cerrado hasta que encontremos soluciones adecuadas.

Enviar un mensaje … ⤵️

Petición de semillas

Agricultores y jardineros del condado de Napa: necesitamos su ayuda. ¿Estás revisando tu inventario de semillas y descubres que tienes algunas para compartir? ¡Envíenos sus donaciones de semillas! Necesitamos semillas viables, comerciales, cultivadas en granjas u orgánicas cultivadas en casa para ayudar a los jardineros principiantes que acaban de empezar con las semillas o a los jardineros experimentados interesados en probar nuevas variedades. Si es tu caso, ponte en contacto conmigo dejando un comentario en este post o por mensaje directo. Podemos organizar una recogida o entrega para que las semillas lleguen a manos de personas que quieren cultivar sus propios alimentos, medicinas y belleza en casa.

Enviar un mensaje … ⤵️

Semillas de interior

Ven a verme en persona este mes en la Biblioteca Pública de Santa Elena, el jueves 6 de febrero a las 16:00 horas, cuando compartiré conocimientos e información sobre cómo sembrar semillas en el interior. Practicaremos con semillas de tomate y pimiento y te llevarás algunas a casa.

Si estás más cómodo aprendiendo en el interior, aquí hay algunos videos para aprender cómo hacer que la mezcla de plántulas, iniciar las semillas en bandejas de células de la vieja escuela, o con un bloqueador de suelo de la nueva escuela.

Hacer tu propia mezcla para semilleros es muy gratificante, como hacer masa para pan. A menudo comento que, como no se me daba bien hacer masa madre, creé una biblioteca de semillas. La mezcla para semilleros es mi especialidad ;-)

Vídeos Seed Starting 101

La parte 1 muestra la mezcla para semilleros. En la Parte 2, aprenderás a utilizar una herramienta realmente genial para hacer bloques de tierra (esto evita el uso de macetas y bandejas de plástico de 6 celdas). En un vídeo anterior, repaso opciones similares de mezcla para semilleros, además de mostrarte cómo plantar utilizando macetas de 6 celdas encajadas en una bandeja de plástico y los materiales que necesitarás para un cultivo de interior.

Vídeos sobre semillas DIY

Está lloviendo aquí, así que es un buen momento para repasar los conceptos básicos del ciclo de vida de una planta mientras te quedas en casa. Agradezco a DIYseeds.org que haya creado vídeos compartibles mediante una licencia creative commons, que ahora hemos añadido al canal de YouTube de la Biblioteca de Semillas del Condado de Napa.

El equipo de Longo Mai ha elaborado una magnífica producción, con un audio relajante y una animación de ensueño, que ofrece información de gran utilidad para inspirar a todos los jardineros. Empieza por «¿Qué es la polinización?» y luego «¿Qué es una semilla?». Continúa y disfruta.

Eso es todo por ahora, bastante, ¿eh? Os dejo con unas palabras de Nina Raj...

EcoFarm

January’s end brought a bounty of connections with people who farm everything, especially seeds. I attended the 45th Annual EcoFarm Conference for the first time with several farmer friends. Located in Pacific Grove at the Asilomar Conference Center, the coastal sunsets, the food, the like-minded humans were incomparable, as well as the presentations, side conversations, and the famous seed swap. Plus, I finally got to experience Mark Decena’s film Farming While Black, featuring one of my favorite farmers and food justice activists, Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm.

It’s hard to put into words the meaningful exchanges we experienced: we left feeling energized, activated. Farming is still in great need of repair, restructuring, and reimagining, but the commitments to act on behalf of farmworkers, healthy soil, food recovery, and transforming the food system were inspiring and real. Many thanks to Clif Family Foundation for sponsoring my attendance and to Tessa Henry, Teresa Kao, Mabel Wilms, and Jen Lang for all the fun.

University of Arizona Seed Library Webinar

While at the conference, I also give a virtual talk at the University of Arizona’s Seed Library webinar about “How to Start a Seed Library from Scratch.” Props to Anita Thompson and others who organized this great event. Pat Sobrero and I gave a similar talk in 2023 that Anita heard and she invited me to speak on the topic again. If you’re interested in starting a seed library, Pat and I cover the basics (tap the image below for the video). You’ll understand the different approaches we took to create ours, as well as the similar aspects that most seed libraries adopt to operate well.

Seeds to Sow in February

Here we are in February, my favorite month! I celebrate all the best things this month – my daughter and I age up on the same day 🎂🎂, we elevate Black History/Black Future for a solid 28 days ✊🏾, it’s the shortest month … and don’t forget Valentine’s Day (hey sweetie 😘).

We’re fortunate in California to have a long growing season. We can plant seeds directly into soil, sow them in plastic milk jugs or zipper baggies, and start them indoors. Recently I added winter sowing in baggies to my skills.

Here’s what I’m doing now in my garden:

• Selecting and organizing seeds to start indoors and outdoors

• Monitoring the weather so that frost damage doesn’t take hold

• Creating a seedling mix for seeds I’ll grow indoors

• Checking my winter sowing (radishes, broccoli, and collards are up!)

• Pruning back roses and hydrangeas; mulching

• Testing viability of seeds saved in fall (or older stored seeds) using a simple germination test

Here’s a short list of seeds you can plant in February in Zone 9b. This is a partial list, there are many more. Find your favorites or decide to grow new varieties. The possibilities are endless. Sow seeds with love.

Direct sow these veggies 🪴🥕🥦 beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, chives, fava bean, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, pea, radish, spinach

Direct sow these flowers 🌸🪷🌼 borage, calendula, nigella, scabiosa, strawflower, sweet pea, yarrow

Start these seeds indoors 🫑🍆🍅 celery, eggplant, pepper, tomato

Historic Altadena

The devastating Eaton Fire in LA County laid to waste the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena and its seed sharing network, the Altadena Seed Library. In its wake, the community faces disproportionate outcomes and impacts, according to a recent data brief from the University of California, Los Angeles.

When I heard, I reached out to Nina Raj, creator of the Altadena Seed Library, and let her know we’d send California native seeds to restore the library. Jen and I offered to gather volunteers for soil and plant bioremediation when the time is right. We continue to send our most hopeful, healing thoughts and remain in contact. To help restore Altadena and assist its displaced residents, review this post by Tahiira Habibi. To help restore native plants and seeds, follow the Altadena Seed Library.

If you are interested in volunteering for native plant bioremediation in the Altadena area when the time is right, comment on this post. Thank you.

Leave a comment

Jeffrey Pine Annex Raided, Again

It’s hard for me to relate this sad news. I’d rather be upbeat and positive. But you need to hear it. The stock of seeds in the Jeffrey Pine Annex was raided FOR THE THIRD TIME since we opened it in American Canyon. Each time they were stocked, ALL THE SEEDS WERE TAKEN including entire jars of seeds and the baskets within days.

Kim Monero, its seed keeper, and I feel frustrated, angry, and heartbroken realizing that some people choose consistently to be disrespectful and selfish.

The seed library annexes require respect, gratitude, and a commitment to sharing and returning seeds. The annexes operate under an honor system and we expect people to follow it. Many people give their time and resources to make them available in your neighborhood. If any annex continues to be misused, we will remove it.

Please send a message if you have information about this theft. The Jeffrey Pine Annex will be closed until we find appropriate solutions.

Call for Seeds

Napa County farmers and gardeners: we need your help. Are you sorting through your seed inventory and finding out you have some to share? Send us your seed donations! We need viable, commercial, farm-grown or home-grown organic seed to support novice gardeners just starting with seed or experienced gardeners interested in trying new varieties. If this is you, contact me by leaving a comment on this post or by direct message. We can arrange for a pickup or drop-off to get seeds into the hands of people who want to grow their own food, medicine, and beauty at home.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Catch me in person this month at the St. Helena Public Library on Thursday, February 6 at 4:00 pm when I’ll share skills and information about how to start seeds indoors. We’ll practice with tomato and pepper seeds and you’ll get some to take home.

If you’re more comfortable learning indoors, here’s a few great videos to learn how to make that seedling mix, start seeds in old-school cell trays, or with a new-school soil blocker.

Making your own seedling mix is so satisfying, kinda like making dough for bread. I often mention that since I wasn’t good at making sourdough, I started a seed library. Seedling mix is my jam ;-)

Seed Starting 101 videos

Part 1 demonstrates the seedling mix. In Part 2, you’ll learn how to use a really cool tool to make soil blocks (this bypasses the use of plastic 6-cell pots and trays). In an earlier video, I go over similar seedling mix options, plus show you how to plant using 6-cell pots nested in a plastic tray and the materials you’ll need for an indoor grow set up.

DIY Seeds videos

It’s raining here so it’s a great time to review the basics of a plant’s life cycle while staying cozy inside. I’m grateful that DIYseeds.org created shareable videos through a creative commons license, which we’ve now added to the Napa County Seed Library’s YouTube channel.

Beautifully produced with calming audio and dreamy animation, the Longo Mai film team put together great information to inspire every gardener. Start with “What is Pollination?” then “What is a Seed?” Continue and enjoy.

That it for now, quite a lot, eh? I’ll leave you with words from Nina Raj…

A week into January and some of my plants are up and ready 👀, but hold on! I’m not there yet. The start of the year can feel rushed and urgent, but honestly I’m cultivating rest and grounding. Slowly emerging to greet my neighbors over brief chats and visits are daily highlights. Slow approaches to everything from tea to compost makes things feel easy right now. Turtle Island, indeed.

Greetings

Nineteen new subscribers jumped on board from the Seed Library Network’s Cool Beans! newsletter. Aww! I love that you are keen to cross-pollinate ideas and stories about seeds. Welcome to you all and also to the 99 subs I added from the contact list we cultivated in early days of the Napa County Seed Library.

The content and community are designed to be helpful and inspired in this newsletter, but if it’s ultimately not your thing, you can always unsubscribe at the bottom of the page. For interesting stuff about who we are and how we got ourselves here, read the About page.

About SEED TAPE

What’s on deck for 2025?

Yes, together, we DID nail down a few things in the first week…

• Our 2025 Event Calendar is set! For more details, view our website for the complete list of events that we’ll attend or host this year.

Napa Seed Library's Upcoming Events

(Our 4th Annual Seed Swap is scheduled for April 5th, while National Seed Swap Day is January 25th. Cool Beans! covered this event early to give resources about how to host your own seed swap in the latest edition.)

• Dane and I reviewed our social media strategy to align it with the event calendar and together we locked in a solid plan. We’re excited to get back into the garden and film some great shorts for you.

• I pruned a little of that yarrow, finally, and looked over the other overwintering plants that are also doing well, each one adding nutrients to the soil and living their best lives. (I can’t believe I have a flowering tomato plant right now.)

• Thanks to our seed keeper volunteers, seeds are slowly making their way back into the annexes. To find an annex near you, tap here. They’ll be fully stocked again by mid-January.

• Random captures of plants, fungi, and garden-related things find their way to SEED TAPE under “PlantSnaps.”

I’m grateful to be here with you.

Seed you soon,

P.S. SEED TAPE articles rolled out in late December. You can visit the home page to find the ones you may have missed.

Right now I’m caught between opposing energies: slowing down or speeding up. I’m thankful for the weather in California over the past couple of weeks. It’s flashy, with strong winds and rain, punctuated by periods of sunny, cool weather.

With this going on, I wonder: what could I really be doing to create a magical, healthy garden by spring? The rain invites me to stay inside and cook a nourishing pot of soup. My desire is to curl up with a stack of seed catalogs and a warm drink, not cutting back the yarrow. When the sun comes out, I gratefully step outside to push flower seeds into the soil, check on the garlic, and celebrate a break in the clouds.

The more I see-saw between apathy and action, I realize it doesn’t matter if I feel dreamy or energized. Actually, there are many ways to sow success in my garden by mid April when that final frost date comes around where I live (Napa County, Zone 9b).

If you’re experiencing the same tension between bursts of energy and a need to relax, it’s natural. Don’t fight it: instead use these suggestions to fit either tempo or mood.

• Start a journal. What do you notice and appreciate in your garden—then and now? Reflect on the last growing season. What tricks did you learn? Does gardening expand your well being or confound you? Both? (Draw a sketch of your arch nemesis with six legs.) What colors or textures were missing for you? Which plant boosts your mood? Your health? Did gardening “save” you?

• Browse seed catalogs and make a wish list. Note the seeds you’re low on and list the seeds you dream of planting in spring. Bring this list and look for them to trade yours for at our 4th Annual Seed Swap on April 5. (Here’s how to prepare your seeds for our swap.)

• Reorganize your seed stash and prepare to start certain seeds indoors. Separate the seeds you’re planting now from those you’ll plant in spring. Set aside seeds you’ll trade at the seed swap. Exchange tools and tips with other gardeners and prepare to start seeds indoors (here’s how). Our skill share for starting tomato and pepper seeds is February 6 at the St. Helena Library.

• Plant cold hardy vegetable and flower seeds in succession. Beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, collards, and endive, among others, can produce all winter long. Flowers like borage, calendula, nigella, scabiosa, strawflower, and sweet pea will give blooms now and later. Plant these seeds directly into the soil every 2-3 weeks.

• Cover plants to protect them from frost. Blanket frost sensitive plants with burlap, a torn bed sheet, or a tarp (or drape those pretty mini lights over them after the holidays). Use recycled materials to create cold frames and makeshift cloches. Last month I wrote in more detail about protecting plants from frost.

• Add mulch and plant cover crop to retain soil moisture, nutrients, and warmth. Cover soil surfaces with straw, wood chips, rocks, or leaves at a depth of 2 to 4 inches. Add nitrogen to soil by planting fava beans in succession, then chop and drop the stems and leaves before they flower.

Whichever direction your energy takes you in January, your flow is sure to sprout fantastic ideas and rewards come spring.

Seed you soon,