Get a jump on the spring with winter sowing! ‘Winter Sowing & Seed Swap for Urban Farmers & Gardeners’ will introduce participants to starting perennials, as well as, some types of edible plants and their companion plants outdoors. Growers can seed in recyclables and other easily accessible containers including 5-gallon buckets. Linda Jones, Founder of Elements of Nature Botanicals and Farmaceuticals, will share a variety of seeding techniques and containers, as well as, provide growing media recommendations, germinations tips, information on seeding dates, and seedling care. In addition, there will be an overview on plant options for urban farms and gardens, as well as, soil health considerations. We will provide the soil and some seeds and containers, but please feel free to bring additional seeds and containers of your choice.

The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District is sponsoring a free growers’ workshop and networking forum to bring together urban farmers and home, school and community gardeners from across Prince Georges County to learn about soil health, as well as, new and emerging farming practices and programs in the local growing community. Each event will feature local farming and gardening experts offering their signature growing tips and techniques, networking opportunities, and hands-on skill building.  The District encourages urban farmers and gardeners of all skill levels to attend and looks forward to working with the community to grow new and existing urban farms and community gardens in Prince George’s County.

Tentative Agenda for February 1 (Snow Date Feb 8): 

• 9:30am:               Sign-in, Registration & Light Refreshments
• 10:00am:             Welcoming Remarks – Kim Rush Lynch, Urban Agricultural Conservation Planner, Prince George’s Soil Conservation District
• 10:15am:             Soil Health in Urban Spaces: Introduction to Soil & Water Resource Concerns & Conservation Practices – Steve Darcey, Executive Director, Prince George’s Soil Conservation District
• 10:45am:              Winter Sowing: Following Mother Nature’s Way to Get a Head Start on your Fall and Spring Plantings – Linda Jones, Founder, Elements of Nature Botanicals and Farmaceuticals (includes hands-on demonstration, seeding activity, seed  swap)
• 11:45pm:             Seed Swap & Break
• 12:15pm:             Introduction to the Master Gardener Program & Plant Options for Urban Farms & Gardens – Esther Mitchell, Master Gardener Coordinator, UMD Extension (Prince George’s County)
• 12:45pm:             Closing Remarks & Next Steps – Kim Rush Lynch, Urban Agricultural Conservation Planner, Prince George’s Soil Conservation District

For more information on the Bloomin’ PGC Urban Farm Initiative, click here.

Bloomin’ PGC is an initiative launched by the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council, the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District, the University of Maryland Extension in Prince George’s County, and ECO City Farms to support the growing urban farm movement in Prince George’s County.