Boothbay Region Garden Club (https://www.boothbayregiongardenclub.org/) member Deanna Clarkson will be presenting a very successful method for germinating seedlings by using milk jugs to create a mini-greenhouse environment. The presentation will take place at the Club’s next monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church (32 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor). Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend!

The process was created and popularized by Trudi Davidoff. Seeds are sown in the jugs in winter and set outside in freezing temperatures. There they experience nature's natural freeze-thaw cycles and ripen for germination. Once germinated, usually in March, the milk jugs protect them but also expose them to natural temperatures which allow the plants to develop and grow naturally. Seeds germinated in this way do not need the "hardening off" process required for indoor-germinated seedlings, nor do they suffer from other issues that affect indoor-germinated plants. No special soil is needed and no special equipment other than potting mix and milk jugs or other containers. Deanna has had success with this method since she first tried it in 2008 and many have adopted it in the local gardening community. Plants grown from seed are more likely to be pollinator-friendly and healthy for wildlife, as they produce their own pollen and seeds.

Please join us for this interesting and informative presentation!