Experienced native pollinator garden installers Freddie Gillespie and Giancarla Kalpas will lead a hands-on program to turn milk jugs into native seed planters you take home, place outside, and wait for spring. This summer you'll have beautiful native plants that will help at-risk pollinators. No gardening experience necessary.

Seeds provided. You provide gallon jugs (2-4 per person).

Registration required. See more information below:

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Place: Clinton’s Bigelow Free Public Library, 54 Walnut Street, Clinton, MA 01510, on February 1, 2025, 12 Noon-2:00 PM.

Presenters: Experienced with native pollinator garden installations: Freddie Gillespie oversees a native plant research site at Breakneck Hill, Southborough, MA, for *Dr. Robert Gegear; Giancarla Kalpas of Chelmsford, MA, is responsible for an independent pollinator site.

Why a Winter vs. Spring Sow? Our native plants have co-evolved with New England weather patterns, with most native plant seeds requiring a period of alternating freezing and thawing to break dormancy and germinate. 

What Is a Native Plant Winter Sow? An easy and affordable way to have beautiful flowers while helping our most at-risk pollinators. The workshop’s selected seeds come from the research of *Dr. Robert Gegear, Associate Professor at UMASS Dartmouth. A recognized expert in the interplay between pollinators and the flowering plants they serve, Dr. Gegear has developed an extensive list of native plants. The list focuses on supporting native pollinators, including those at risk. Dr. Gegear is the advisor for the Rauscher Farm Pollinator Meadow Nursery Garden, which contains only plants from his list.

How to Do a Winter Sow. This workshop is hands-on. The presenters will show participants how to turn milk jugs into planters to take home and place outside over the winter. Then wait for spring. The result will be wonderful summer native plants. Using this simple method, participants will be amazed by the bounty of native plants. No gardening experience necessary. Even the most inexperienced gardeners can grow for their gardens with extras to share with friends. The presenters will provide seeds from plants on Dr. Gegear’s list to ensure flowering plants will help preserve biodiversity and our local ecosystem.

What to Bring:

• 2-4 empty, clean, translucent gallon jugs. Remove the caps.
• Small towels for wiping up spill
• Scissors, box-cutter or Exacto knives
• Clean empty large yogurt containers to make labels
• You may want to bring an apron
• Cordless Power Drill with ¼ in size bit (if possible)

Be sure to put your name on any materials you plan to share.

It would be great if some volunteers could help with the clean-up!