Seed Series: Ethical Collection

Downy wood mint and self-heal seedheads.

Workshop

Instructor: Freddie Gillespie, Biodiversity Through Pollination

  • October 4 | 1:00 - 2:30pm
Where: Breakneck Hill Conservation Land, Southborough, MA

Fee: Member: $15 / Non-member: $25 / Sponsor: $100

Part one of our three-part Seed Series!

Join Freddie Gillespie for a seed collection workshop at the Beecology Research Garden at Breakneck Hill. Freddie will discuss the ethical collection of wild seeds,  show us how to determine if seeds are ripe, and demonstrate the best seed collection methods for various plants. We will work together to collect seeds from the plants in the research garden, all native species that have been documented to help pollinators in decline. Be prepared for a fun, hands-on workshop amidst the beautiful backdrop of conservation land in Southborough.

The bulk of seeds collected will be saved for upcoming seed cleaning workshops, and then distributed during winter sowing events. Participants will be allowed to take some seeds home directly, but the type and amount will depend on the volume of seeds that can be ethically collected.

Freddie Gillespie is a member of Biodiversity Through Pollination and Southborough's Stewardship Committee. For the past decade she has worked with Robert Gegear to establish the Beecology Research Garden at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land. Using this garden as a source, she has developed a seed distribution program which resulted in the distribution of over 2,000 packets of 63 species of native plants from Dr. Gegear’s plant list for at-risk pollinators last year.

***This workshop is currently at capacity. To be added to the waitlist, please email us at info@grownativemass.org.

Learn more about the other workshops in our Seed Series: