APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER
Water
Water is shapeshifting its way across the land today. We still have a layer of snow, but it is skipping the melting stage and vaporizing directly into the air. It is also raining. The rain and fog are drifting through the forest, transforming the landscape right before my eyes.
Some of the water is soaking into the soil, filling all the spaces until it has nowhere else to go, and then continuing on its watery journey. It makes me happy, knowing that when I plant all the tiny seedlings in May and June (so many seedlings!) the water will already be there, waiting for them.
Here are the highlights from this month’s newsletter:
- The ‘Just Add Water’ Experiment
- Species that do not need stratification
- Ethical Seed Source Grant from the Carolinian Canada Coalition
- Our ferns are at the NANPS plant sale
- Neighbourhood Habitat School – Spring Backyard Rewilding Course
The ‘Just Add Water’ Experiment
Last month I talked about the results from the Bubbler experiment. Afterwards I started to wonder about the importance of the bubbling part. Was the bubbling necessary, or could I just throw seeds in some water? I tried with Bebb’s sedge (Carex bebbii) and they germinated well without the bubbler.
My next theory was that the species that germinated in water were wetland species (perhaps a sketchy theory). So I sorted through my stash of seeds and selected species that liked to grow in moist to wet conditions and put them in water.
Out of the corner of my eye I spotted my Blue-eyed grass seeds (Sisyrinchium montanum). I have been trying all sorts of things to germinate them and they all end up in a rotten mess of moldy seeds. In despair, I tossed them into some water too.
While there was a long list of species that did not germinate by just adding water, there were a few where it worked really well. The best surprise was that a few of the Blue-eyed grass seeds germinated!
| Species that did not germinate in water | Species that germinated in water |
|---|---|
| Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata White turtlehead, Chelone glabra Purplestem angelica, Angelica atropurpurea Greater fringed gentian, Gentianopsis crinita Closed bottle gentian, Gentiana andrewsii Common boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum Allegheny Monkeyflower, Mimulus ringens Blue lobelia, Lobelia silphitica | Bebb’s sedge, Carex bebbii Plains oval sedge, Carex brevior Spotted Joe Pye Weed, Eutrochium maculatum Blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium montanum (a few seeds) |
Lots of germination when you just add water.
Most sources say this species needs cold moist stratification.
Not a lot of germination, but there are some seeds germinating.
And no moldy, rotten seeds, which is an improvement.
Species that do not require stratification
If you did not get around to winter sowing your native seeds or putting them in the fridge for cold, moist stratification, do not worry, there are still many native species that you can grow from seed. Some of them may have reduced germination rates, but you should still end up with plenty of plants for your garden.
See our Stratification Requirements page for a list of species that you can start this spring.
Ethical Seed Source Grant from the Carolinian Canada Coalition
We were thrilled last fall to receive a grant from the Carolinian Canada Coalition for our seed orchard. Carolinian Canada has been instrumental in the creation of the Southern Ontario Seed Strategy, a report that outlines goals and priorities for supporting the production of native seed in southern Ontario. They have also created NSPPs, Native Seed and Plant Partnerships, which bring together people growing and working with native seeds and plants. In addition, they are supporting the production of native seeds with the Ethical Seed Source grant. We are very excited to have been selected for this grant to help us expand our seed production capabilities.
Ferns at the NANPS sale
Our ferns are making their debut at the North American Native Plant Society (NANPS) sale on May 9th at the Toronto Botanical Garden. They will have three of our fern species: Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron), Evergreen wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia) and Marsh fern (Thelyptris palustris). I have brought them in from the greenhouse so they can leaf out and look lovely for the sale. They are available for pre-order online on the NANPS website or you can buy them in person at the sale while quantities last.
Our wholesale fern list is now available on the website. Contact us for details.
Neighbourhood Habitat School – Spring Backyard Rewilding Course
Ewa Bednarczuk at the Neighbourhood Habitat School is offering her 6 week Backyard Rewilding course from April 6th to May 17th. If you are looking to transform your yard into a habitat that supports biodiversity, this course is for you.
I hope that you enjoy all of the new growth that is beginning this month.
May your April be filled with many seedlings.
Andrea