We are calling it the “winter that wasn’t” here in SE Michigan, so it’s no surprise that spring like weather came to us in late February and early March. Even more than usual, gardening was on everyone’s mind. Those of us who knew better refrained from cleaning up our gardens and land, knowing that pollinators were still dormant beneath the leaves and branches. So we gazed at the landscape, unusually void of snow, and dreamed of seeds. We also sought out gatherings with like-minded folks.
Women’s History Month Film Screening
& Seed Library Kickoff at Washtenaw Community College
The college where I am so proud to teach hosted a lovely event on March 13. We watched the short film “The Seed Queen of Palestine” together, learning about Vivien Sensor and her mission to distribute heirloom seeds to Palestinian farmers.
Students, teachers, staff, and community members gathered for the screening of “The Seed Queen of Palestine.”
We then watched a short interview with a seed queen closer to home, Asal Warden of Detroit. “Any and all forests are my favorite green spaces,” Asal shared in her quiet, powerful voice. Going to see her and tour Detroit’s urban gardens are definitely on my field trip list.
Then Maureen Perault, one of our librarians and the seed library co-chair, explained how WCC’s seed library works. Students, faculty, staff, and community are welcome to take seeds from the library. Maureen orders the seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom seeds.
Directions for using the WCC Seed Library
So many seeds to share with our campus community and our wider community!
Event organizers, from near to far: Christina Do, Emily Thompson, and Maureen Perault.
The event was organized by Christina Do, Coordinator of the Office of Student Equity and Inclusion and Co-Chair of Women of Washtenaw; Dr. Emily Thompson, biology professor and Director of our Center for Sustainability and Resilience; and Maureen Perault, librarian and Seed Library Co-chair (along with Sandy McCarthy, not pictured.)
Molokhia seed packets ready to gift to those in attendance.
Everyone in attendance was offered a parting gift: a small packet of Molokhai seeds to plant at home. Sometimes called “Palestinian spinach”, this green is said to be delicious raw or cooked. It will have a special place in my garden (and in my famous omelettes) this year!
The First Annual Seed Swap in Milan Produced by Moon Mama LLC
A few days later, on March 16, I attended a seed swap just a mile from the farm. This event, the first of what will be annual seed swaps, was produced and hosted by my dear friend Ashley Eichner-Pendell, known around town as Ash EP. This year she launched her new business, Moon Mama LLC.
Ash EP greets guests at the entrance to the Seed Swap.
Moon Mama LLC hosts meditative water color gatherings, nature walks, poetry readings, and other community events. In just a few months Moon Mama has become a vital part of social life in our small town.
A steady stream of locals attended the seed swap.
I brought my shoebox of seed packets to share. Here, two of my neighbors sort through them.
There is an exciting new business in Milan: Liv’s Native Nursery. I was thrilled to meet Liv–and yet another field trip went into the planning stages. I’ll take you to visit her nursery later this spring or perhaps in the summer. Liv set up a table at the Seed Swap, so swappers could also buy starts of native flowers.
Liv’s table and plants garnered lots of attention and praise. Rightly so–they are beautiful!
Besides being beautiful, native flowers are functional. This educational sign that Liv brought shows the differing root structures of natives versus non natives. This is one of the reasons I sowed native flowers and grasses in the East Meadow. Deeper roots = less flooding. And since my septic lines run under the East Meadow, it means a healthier septic system as well.
Liv’s Native Nursery displayed this educational sign.
Winter-like weather has rightfully returned to SE Michigan. As I write this, a dry snow is filtering down on the East Meadow out my window. The critters beneath the leaves and fallen branches are still dozing and cozy. I enjoy sorting through my seeds, planning my vegetable garden in Zone Two and my food forest in Zone Four. Before we know it, we’ll be planting and enjoying the warm sun and spring showers.
