Seems like every day has a special reference or designation these days. There are special days for just about anything. I actually just found a National Days website that gives all kinds of references. It’s already passed, but January 10 was set aside for us to appreciate our House Plants Day. I know my mom will really like January 24 because that is National Peanut Butter Day. If you like wearing polka dots, then January 22 will be your day because it is national Polka Dot Day. Okay, so where am I going with this? Being the plant person I am, Saturday, January 27 will be National Seed Swap Day. National Seed Swap Day is set for the fourth Saturday of January each year. There will be events held throughout our country offering free seed swaps. You literally bring some seeds and you take some seeds. Many events don’t even require you to bring seeds to the swap; just browse and if you find something you like, you are likely welcome to take a few. To honor National Seed Swap Day, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, is offering a Seed Saving workshop. To have seed to swap, you really need to have an understanding on properly saving seed.
The workshop will be at O.P. Owens Auditorium on Saturday, January 20, starting at 10 a.m. We will discuss collecting, preparing, and storing seed. At what point is a seed viable and worth saving? Which seeds need to go through the wet process and which only need the dry collection process? Is there a difference between heirloom varieties and open-pollinated or hybrid varieties? These questions and more will be discussed. Please visit our website, robeson.ces.ncsu.edu, and register to attend this workshop. As I write this, there are possible weather events in the forecast that may postpone this event. Please check our website for the latest weather briefing concerning this event.
Another planned workshop at the Robeson County Center will be Saturday, January 27. This workshop will focus on the “Do’s and Don’ts of Ornamental Pruning” in the home landscape. Many homeowners are willing to prune in the landscape but don’t feel comfortable, or maybe not sure where or how to begin. Rest assured, you will be ready to tackle that task after attending this workshop. More workshops are planned for February through April and will be listed on our webpage several weeks prior to the program.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, is planning one more workshop in January but it won’t be held in Robeson. We will be visiting our neighboring County to the west Monday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m. We will be offering “Backyard Muscadines” starting with a presentation at the Scotland County Center, located at 231 E. Cronly Street in Laurinburg. We will follow with a hands-on pruning demonstration at a private vineyard located about 10 minutes north of the Scotland County Center. To join our email list to hear about future events, please visit our website at robeson.ces.ncsu.edu, or you may call at 910-671-3276.
For more information, contact Mack Johnson, Extension Horticultural Agent, at 910-671-3276, by Email at Mack_Johnson@nscu.edu, or visit our website.
