Let’s support each other in growing our gardens and spreading the native plant love! Join us Saturday, September 13, for a native plant and seed share at Montgomery College Food Forest in Silver Spring/Takoma Park, MD.
*This plant and seed share is for native plants or nativars only (not veggies, houseplants, or non-natives). Some people prefer straight species only, so please clearly identify if it’s a nativar (see below) instead of a straight species native. When in doubt whether a plant is native to our area, check the website of Maryland Biodiversity Project.
*All are welcome; we know that gardeners who are at the beginning of their native plant journeys may not have as much to share. Bring what you can - even if that means bringing nothing - and know that we’re very happy to have you there!
*This event will occur rain or shine, but if it's raining we may retreat into the native plant courtyard just behind the food forest, which has some overhead coverage.
*BRING TO SHARE:
- Native plants: bare-root or in new potting soil
- Native plant seeds
- Gardening supplies: pots, etc.
- Winter-sowing supplies: clear milk/juice jugs, clear take-out containers, etc.
- Low-edge boxes, large yogurt containers, or other supplies for helping folks bring their plants home
- Small paper envelopes for folks to bring seeds home in
*PLANT SAFETY:
- Avoid the spread of invasive species like the jumping worm by only sharing bare-root plants or plants in newly purchased soil. Before leaving your home, gently shake all the dirt out of the roots at the site where you dug up the plant. Soak in water to get the last of the soil off. Then transfer to fresh potting soil or fresh water to keep roots moist during the plant share.
- Label your seeds and plants with species and any other details (growing conditions, color, height, etc.), and clearly label nativars. We'll have paper there for labels if you don't have time to make them in advance.
*COVID SAFETY:
- Bring hand sanitizer.
- If you have cold symptoms, please wear a mask.
- If you have had contact with someone who has COVID, please sit out this event.
*VENUE: Montgomery College Food Forest, 7719 Chicago Ave, Silver Spring MD
Transportation: on-street parking, bike station nearby, bus: P3, 17, 18. Metro: less than a mile from Silver Spring or Takoma stations
We'll be in the grassy area next to the food forest. Tables will be labeled by Sunny, Shady, and Tree - place what you've brought on the correct table and then feel free to browse!
Bathrooms and water fountain available.
Help yourself to veggies/food from the food forest.
*DONATIONS OPTIONAL:
This event is free!
However, some of our volunteers have provided a large amount of seedlings grown specifically to give out at this event. If you have $1-2 to donate, it is optional but will be appreciated.
*CO-HOSTS:
- Climate Action Coffee, the Pollinator group. For more information or to get involved, please contact Ken Allen: kallen808@gmail.com.
- Silver Spring/Takoma Park Mutual Aid, community garden group. Visit sstpmutualaid.wordpress.com for more info (or @sstpmutualaid on instagram or bluesky)
- Community Food Forest Collective
*WHAT IS A NATIVAR?
A "nativar" is a cultivar derived from native parents and bred for a particular trait. If you bought a native plant that has a cutesy name in quotation marks after the Latin name, that's a nativar. For example, Amsonia "Blue Ice" or Aster "Purple Dome". Please label nativars as such (some people prefer only "straight species"/non-nativars). Please don't bring cultivars with any non-native plant species.
