By Mai Mai Margules

It’s January, let's get our gardens going!  Although it may seem counterintuitive, January is the prime month for planting native plant seeds here in the Northeast. Seeds of favorite natives such as milkweed, anise hyssop, echinacea and a multitude of others need to go through a period of  “cold stratification” to germinate.

Stratification is a built-in mechanism that tells seeds when it is safe to germinate. In nature, most plants produce seed in the summer once the plants have flowered. If these seeds were to germinate immediately the seedlings would struggle through the heat of summer and enter winter as small and vulnerable, unlikely to survive.

If, however, the seed waited until the following spring to germinate it would have much better growing conditions and a full season to grow and adapt before winter. 

Native seeds are intelligent: they will ONLY germinate after they have gone through several months exposure to cold and wet weather, i.e. winter. In winter, moisture-fiilled seeds freeze and thaw, breaking down the outer seed coat and allowing them to sprout when things warm up in the spring. Typically, it takes 30 - 60 days of cold/ wet stratification for successful germination.

https://www.ecolandscaping.org/09/designing-ecological-landscapes/native-plants/growing-in-the-off-season-native-perennials-from-seed/

It would seem logical to plant native seeds directly in the ground in the fall, emulating nature.  In nature, however, most seeds have a very low survival rate. Hungry animals will eat them, many will blow into areas where they can’t grow and are crowded out by invasives, and in our own gardens we may forget where we planted and disturb them. 

A really good method for successfully starting native seeds is to sow seeds in recycled plastic containers, plug trays, or pots ( at least 3’ deep) with a clear cover or hardware cloth for added protection.  Be sure to create drainage and ventilation holes on the bottom and lids of the containers. Fill the containers with 3 or more inches of potting soil and then press the seeds into the soil.

Stratifying seeds in plastic containers (recycled). Photo courtesy Ecological Landscape Alliance

It’s always good to google seeds before planting for specific instructions.  Some natives such as milkweed need light to germinate so barely cover these with soil.

Water lightly, label, tape your containers shut and put them outdoors for the winter. Rain and snow will provide moisture by filtering into the containers. In the spring your seeds will begin to germinate and you can open the lids as the weather warms to acclimate the growing plants.

You can carefully transplant seedlings to larger pots or inground spaces once all chance of frost has passed and they are growing well. Be sure not to damage the root system, especially with plants such as milkweed which has a deep tap root. Native plants tend to grow slower than many of our common annuals and put most of their energy into establishing strong root systems initially. For this reason you might want to keep the seedlings potted and put them in the ground in the early fall when they have had time to really become established and the heat of summer is waning. The following spring you will be rewarded with a strong and healthy plot of natives! 

Open seed containers in spring. Photo courtesy Ecological Landscape Alliance

I used this method successfully after being walked through the steps at Bedford’s Healthy Yards Winter Seeding Event last winter. Having the materials and information provided was a tremendous help and very reassuring in getting started.

This January there are two local winter seeding events to help you succeed. This Saturday, Jan 8 TEAC and Warner Library are holding a Milkweed Planting Event outdoors at the Warner Library Children’s Garden in Tarrytown from 10 am to 12. All materials and seeds will be provided as well as hot cider and cookies. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced. If you have any, please bring empty clear salad and greens containers with lids, at least 3" deep. Everyone is welcome! For more info go to tarrytownenviro.org

Healthy Yards of Bedford will have a native plant seeding event , Seed Now, Plant Later,  on Sunday, Jan 23 from 1 - 3pm at the Bedford Hills train station. All materials and a large variety of native seeds will be available. $5 admission to cover materials. For more info go to  https://bedford2030.org/gva_event/winter-seeding/

www.healthyyards.org/

By Cari Newton

Happy New Year!  This January, why not make it your resolution to eat more healthy plant-based foods?  Even old-timer vegans use a resolution to revamp their eating habits. (Did you know Oreos are vegan?!)  There are plenty of vegan junk food choices available today, and though it’s tempting, it’s better for your health and the planet to eat more of a whole food plant-based diet. By skipping processed foods for most meals, you can get on track for healthy eating for the whole year.    Every January, you can take a pledge to go vegan for the whole month. It’s called VEGANUARY! Sign up to take the pledge at veganuary.com. The website has recipes, eating guides, meal plans, shopping tips, and more to help make it super easy. 

The thought of going vegan for a whole month may seem overwhelming for some, but remember, even small actions like participating in Meatless Mondays or only eating a vegan diet on weekdays add up to make a difference for ourselves and our environment. Every time you choose a plant-based meal, know you are contributing to the efforts to stop global warming. Eating no meat or even less meat is one of the biggest impacts a person can make towards fighting climate change. If you are just starting with going vegan and you feel like you can use a little extra help figuring it all out, find yourself an experienced vegan who is willing to be your “mentor” to help answer any questions you may have. Their experience can provide great product, recipe, and restaurant recommendations. Also, there are many online and social media resources for information, recipes, support groups, and even fun social groups where you can learn about the best restaurants and vegan products that are available in your area.   As always, your local library is a great place to try out new vegan cookbooks. The Warner Library in Tarrytown has a nice selection to choose from.

This month’s recipe is from the book Vegan Reset. I first found this cookbook at The Warner Library. It’s one of my favorite cookbooks because the recipes are super healthy and delicious, and it’s the best book I’ve found to get back back in the habit of eating healthy. It’s a 28-day meal plan, but I still return to it for individual recipes like the Pineapple Fried Wild Rice that I make a lot. As pictured, I sometimes use a wild rice blend if wild rice is hard to find. The recipe is for 1 meal, but I usually make at least double so there is some for lunch the next day too. I sometimes sub coconut oil for the olive oil and I top with a little sriracha! YUM!

Pineapple Fried Wild Rice

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ pineapple, peeled and diced

1 cup cooked wild rice

1 cup chopped kale

Pinch of sea salt

Pinch of ground black pepper

1 avocado, sliced or diced
 

Directions

Heat the oil in a pan over high heat. Add the pineapple and cook for 3 minutes, stirring well. Add the wild rice and kale. Reduce heat to medium and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.  Serve with avocado.
 

By Annie Kravet
 

Do you make New Year's resolutions?

The start of a new year is a great reason to create some new zero-waste friendly habits. If you’re new to trying to reduce the amount of waste you create, start small and simple.

Here’s a list that I hope inspires you - pick a few that speak to you, and give it a try! 

1. Bring your own bag when shopping (leave some by the door or in your car so you don’t forget) 

2. Shop local when you can instead of ordering online 

3. Shop at the farmers market

4. Switch from bottled shampoo/ conditioner to shampoo and conditioner bars 

5. Purchase loose leaf tea & a reusable tea strainer instead of tea bags, which often are made out of plastic 

6. Compost your food scraps/ leftovers (Look into Hudson Compost to have your food scraps picked up outside your door) 

7. Learn how to mend a hole and get more life out that pair of socks/ sweater/ pants 

8. Buy second hand and donate old clothes (keep an eye out for future clothing swap events) 

9. Get books out of the library 

10. Make your own vegetable stock with vegetable scraps left over from cooking (think onion tops, carrot and celery ends, etc) 

11.  Make your own nut milk at home instead of buying in cartons 

12.  Start using reusable cloths instead paper towels 

13.  Switch to cloth napkins 

14.  Get a bidet to reduce toilet paper use 

15.  Walk or bike instead of driving if possible 

16.  Eat less meat 

17.  Bring your own mug when buying coffee or tea

18.  Switch to DIY cleaning products - you can do a lot with just water, baking soda, and vinegar! 

19.  Sign up for a local “Buy Nothing” group to give away items you no longer want and find things you may need 

20.  Plant a garden - or a few pots of herbs on the kitchen windowsill 

By Carole Griffiths
 

By Martin Hauser

Some years ago I was at a conference in Dorset, in the south of England. The conference center was newly built into the ruins of an ancient manor house. When the presentations were less than riveting, it was a great pleasure to wander in the gardens, which had been designed in keeping with their surroundings. Yes, there was a broad manicured lawn, but it was surrounded by old majestic trees. Many of the trees were wrapped with ivy and various flowering vines. You will often see this in gardens in England and on the European continent, especially in Germany, but in America sadly not. Here our yards tend to be tidy, but dull, kept that way by constant maintenance with gasoline-powered equipment.

Consider letting vines climb up your trees, for a more natural and luxurious look to your yard. When this is done, the most frequent choice is English Ivy. Bad idea! English Ivy is invasive outside its native home in England and there are much better choices. The miniature English Ivies, with their delicate and often variegated leaves, are wonderful houseplants, requiring very little light and minimal care. But that’s where they belong – indoors.

My Ivy League alma mater long ago replaced all its English Ivy with Virginia Creeper (also known as Woodbine), a native American vine that turns brilliant red in the fall. The effect on the eye is the same, providing dignity and grace to those hallowed halls, but the effect on both the environment and maintenance costs is far superior. It has the advantage of growing quickly, so you can get started right away with your new look.
Virginia Creeper. Photo: Shutterstock

Another good choice is Coral Honeysuckle, whose fragrant orange blossoms are legendary. Hummingbirds also find them very attractive. Make sure your nursery sells you this native American Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, and not one of the very popular, but invasive, imported varieties. 

Similarly, imported varieties of Wisteria are also popular, because they grow very quickly, but get American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), which will give you just as much pleasure without running rampant over our woodlands. It’s hard to beat Wisteria for beauty. Its huge clusters of purple flowers are gorgeous. It’s also one of the very favorite flowers of bumblebees, upon whom we depend for 80% of the pollination for our crops and vegetables. One caution is that Wisteria can grow almost into a tree in its own right, and over the years it will need to be trimmed back to keep it from smothering the tree that it adorns. But again, this is less a problem with American Wisteria than with the invasive, imported varieties.


Amythyst Falls, a non-invasive, native American Wisteria

And what would a garden be without Bittersweet! Those bright yellow berries are one of the hallmarks of summer, and they can be cut and brought indoors for seasonal flower arrangements. But one more time, plant only American Bittersweet, Celastrus scandens. The very popular Oriental Bittersweet is hopelessly invasive and has already overrun our wild lands, our yards, and any place it can gain a foothold.

American Bittersweet. Photo: Johnson's Nursery

Finally, a note of caution. The vine that one most often sees wrapped around trees in Hudson Valley woodlands – and even yards – is Poison Ivy. Stare at google images until you can immediately recognize this menace of the botanical world. If Poison Ivy appears in your yard, and it will, put on disposable gloves and pull it out by the roots or dig it up, if necessary. Do not burn it or compost it. Put it in plastic trash bags and leave it for the Sanitation Department to collect. When you’ve finished, wash your hands with a strong detergent. 

When selected with careful consideration, vines will not harm you or your trees. On the contrary, they will surround you with beauty and fragrance and put a smile on the tiny faces of our pollinators. So rethink your gardening practices and "Go where the wood-bine twineth.”

Helpful tip: consider using a phone app like Picture This, iNaturalist or PlantSnap to help identify invasive plants, trees and vines. Or feel free to send a photo to tarrytowneniro@gmail.com and we will try to help out!

The Villages of Irvington, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, alongside the Irvington Green Policy Task Force, Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council and Sleepy Hollow Environmental Advisory Committee have partnered with Sustainable Westchester to bring EnergySmart Homes Rivertowns to our community.

With rebates and incentives available from NYSERDA and your utility, you have the opportunity to significantly reduce your home energy consumption, lower your energy bills, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the year-round comfort and value of your home. Learn More HERE

Announcing our Winter/Spring Film Series!

We will kick off the series with a watch party followed by a Zoom or Gather conversation.  Some films on our list: Uninvited, Kiss the Ground, Seed: the Untold Story, True Cost, Before the Flood

 

TEAC will give a year-end presentation to the Mayor and Board of Trustees on January 18th at 8pm. Please come to Village Hall or log on to watch and support us!