Upcoming events
Current Initiatives and Collaborations
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MnSEED Native Plant Community Science Project
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Satellite Seed Libraries and seed stocks in Como neighborhood little free libraries
Pollinator Pathways of Saint Paul Seed Bee
Join us for a "Spring Seed Bee" on Saturday, April 5th, from 10 am to 1:00 pm at the Saint Paul Tool Library, 1010 Dale St. N., St. Paul, MN 55103. This is a FREE event that jump starts your garden season. Workshop space is limited so register here (https://mntoollibrary.simpletix.com) today! Very limited off-street parking is available to the south of the building, otherwise park on the side street to the north.
10 to 10:30 am, sign in and register for door prizes followed by a warm welcome, a tour and introduction to the Tool Library .
10:30 to 11:15 am. Workshop 'Grow to Give, Grow to Live' with JIIVE (Justice Impacted Individuals Voting Effectively) and Zintkala Luta.Join volunteers from two organizations, JIIVE and Zintkala Luta, who will discuss best practices for seed starting, how to grow seeds in different containers, and learn more about how to support our efforts to develop a community garden space that will support justice-impacted individuals who are currently and formerly incarcerated and their families. Growing our food from seed is at the heart of food sovereignty and community healing. Food should never be a punishment and is part of everyone's healing journey and ensuring their dignity. We will share information on our campaigns to improve food in Minnesota prisons through garden programs and ensure better, more nutritional food access when people return to their communities. In Large Conference Room
11:15 am to 12:15 pm, explore make and take stations featuring activities like Soil Blocking, Seed Snail Making, and using alternative seed starting containers. Don't miss the Seed Checkout with MN SEED Project Seeds. Bring your gently used garden tools and larger garden decorative containers to swap for something new and learn how to keep those garden tools sharp and serviceable for years to come. Want to join the Growing for Community movement? Learn more about Seedling Stewards and the Seedling Corp plus all of the exciting details to extend this vital central Saint Paul Pollinator Pathway.
12:15-1pm Workshop Growing Seedlings In Small Spaces for Garden Success with Julia Brokaw and Amanda Sames The excitement of seeds germinating is often mixed with many questions on how to ensure their long-term success in your gardens! This can be especially challenging when growing in small spaces and getting to know the watering and lighting needs of different plant types. We will demonstrate some seedling care tips and discuss options for setting up a grow space for any size! Presenters include: Julia Brokaw, pollinator plant grower who starts thousands of native and annual plants from seed every year from her small apartment & backyard to share with neighbors and Amanda Sames, food justice educator and experienced vegetable crop farmer. In Large Conference Room.
1pm the event concludes with a door prize drawing, and valuable takeaways.
This event is hosted by the Minnesota Tool Library in partnership with the Pollinator Pathway of Saint Paul coalition and is part of the Pollinator Pathways of Saint Paul grant programming for 2025, funded by the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources. Our Pollinator Pathways grant is a collaboration of Hamline Midway Coalition, Bee Line, District 10 Como Community Council, Saint Paullinators, Frogtown Green, TEST_PLOT, and The MN SEED Project.
See you there!
To volunteer for the Seed Bee and share your garden enthusiasm sign up here: https://forms.gle/1S9GnLdWK3bBobYu7
Growing for Good 25-Save The Date
Como Park Lutheran Church is hosting another Growing for Good event focussed on growing in community for everyone. This will be a family friendly free event with games, make and takes, giving garden tours, ask a master gardener table, Grow a Row signup and other ways to learn and share! Stay tuned for all the details!
MN Food Share Neighborhood Food Collection with Como Park Lutheran Church
Hey neighbors Como Park Lutheran Church is hosting their annual neighborhood food collection Sunday March 23. They make it really easy to drive up in their parking lot at Hamline and Hoyt and drop off your donations and they’ll have treats too! Check out the flyer below for more details!
Sprout and Micro Greens Workshop with Urban Ventures
Sprouts and Micro Greens are an easy low cost nutritious way to get beautiful delicious veggies all winter long no matter what the weather outside. Microgreens pack 40% more nutrients than the larger harvests and there are so many types to choose from.
Urban Ventures and Como Community Seed Library are hosting a workshop at the Urban Ventures Center for Families on Monday February 24th. 6-7:30 pm. You’ll learn how to choose your seeds, growing medium, containers, and other essentails you’ll need to easily grow your first crop.
Plus you’ll be able to sample up to 4 different types of microgreens during the event and leave with a container ready to grow at home. A suggested donation of $10 covers all materials. Please register here to save a spot. Space is limited.
Pre-Seeding Your Garden-registration Closed
Pre-Seeding Your Garden
2/22/25 10am-12pm
Como Park Lutheran Church
1376 Hoyt Ave.
Join Como Community Seed Library and Como Park Lutheran Church with a timely workshop to get your garden started while it’s still cold outside. We’ll have most supplies but please bring a clean recycled plastic beverage or greens container. Space is limited so be sure to register here. If you have any questions please email DLamm@como
D10 Como Park Blizzard Breakfast
You’ll Find The MN SEED Project all things seedy!
Join Parks and Rec and the Como Community Council for a Pancake Breakfast and Winter Activities at North Dale Recreation Center. Try snowshoeing, cross country skiing and skating before you warm up with a bonfire and s’mores. After all the fun outside, head inside for a pancake breakfast (sponsored and served by St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church and Como Park Lutheran Church), Karol Coffee (and their coffee cart), neighborhood resources, kids activity and, back this year, a LOCAL MAKER’S MARKET!
The local makers below will have booths selling their goods at the Blizzard Breakfast – help support local artist, bakers, plant enthusiasts and more at this event!
Arachne Productions – Come see beautiful hand-made lace works of art. There are bookmarks and hearts to tuck into your Valentine’s Day cards. There are also snowflakes if you want to take the Blizzard home with you!
Romanitas Jewelry – Gorgeous hand-made earrings with French lever-backs and all hypoallergenic.
VesselMania – Unique, hand-made, high-fired, ceramic vessels.
Leann Clemmons – Leather and beaded wrap bracelets & greeting cards with matching envelopes.
Jeffery – Experienced gardener selling a wide variety of State Fair award winning indoor potted plants such as Aloe Vera, Golden Pothos, English Ivy, Swedish Ivy, Spider Plant, Oyster Plant, and Purple Prince.
Foxberry Bakehouse – Licensed cottage bakery specializing in small-batch baked goods made in the heart of Como Park.
Joleen – homemade suncatchers & beaded crafts.
Megan Huff Art – a collection of greeting cards, prints, and other offerings made from photographs, watercolor, and mixed media art.
D & E Bees – “Rosetown Gold” honey harvested from their backyard apiary in Roseville. State Fair Blue Ribbon winner!
We still have Market spaces available – please contact organizer@district10comopark.org if you’d like to participate!
If you’re interested in helping to plan or volunteer at this event, sign up below and we’ll let you know how to get involved! This event is made possible with funding from St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, Como Park Lutheran Church, Kitty’s Corner, North Suburban Kiwanis Club, and the wonderful staff at North Dale.
National Seed Swap Day ‘25 Seed Swap
It’s time for the National Seed Swap Day Seed Swap 2025!
National Seed Swap Day
Saturday, January 25th 2025
1-3 pm
Historic Como Streetcar Station
1224 Lexington Pkwy N.
St. Paul MN 55117
Join us for an epic seed trading session with your neighbors! Everyone is welcome from the newest and youngest of gardeners to experienced cultivators. All seed types are welcome too: native plants, herbs, vegetables, annual flowers, perennials, and more.
Please register here so we have enough resources available. Please review this link for seed sharing guidelines which includes resources for labels, what seeds to share, and the swap mutual benefits .
This is a FREE Pollinators Pathways event! Available free parking is limited to the parking lot and on-street but the streetcar station is easily accessible via the metro transit bus line. Masks are welcome. We encourage all participants to consider the health of their neighbors as this is an indoor event.
Want to volunteer your time and talents helping with this swap? Sign up here for the opportunities that suit you!
The MN SEED Project is a MN SEED team led community effort centered on empowering people through seed education: collect, clean, save, swap, and grow native, local plants from seed. This swap is part of the Pollinator Pathways of Saint Paul grant programming for 2025. Pollinator Pathways is a collaboration of Hamline Midway Coalition, Bee Line, District 10 Como Community Council, Saint Paullinators, Frogtown Green, #TESTPLOT, Xerces Society and MN SEED.
For updates and to share sneak peeks of your seeds follow and share your enthusiasm on the
Facebook Event and Instagram (# MN_SEED_Project #NationalSeedSwapDay25 #Pollinator Pathways_St.Paul #Bee_Line #Frogtown_Green #St.Paullinators HMC_Environment_Committee #D10ComoPark)
For questions contact MNSEEDProject@gmail.com
Como Grow a Row Garden Conversation
Join us for a garden side conversation at the giving garden at Como Park Lutheran Church.
Seed Saving- Pest Management- Harvesting Best Practices -And Surprises Galore!
Como Grow a Row Garden Conversation
Join us for a garden side conversation at the giving garden at Como Park Lutheran Church.
Seed Saving- Pest Management- Harvesting Best Practices -And Surprises Galore!
Rivoli Bluff Bash
Urban Roots is again hosting the Rivoli Bluff Bash at the Rivoli Garden Farm! The MN SEED Project will be there sharing seeds for our avian neighbors in this amazing place. Stop by, do your farmers market shopping, make some garden inspired place based art and prairie up with the MN SEED Project! Hope to see you there !
District 10 Como Community Council Ice Cream Social
It’s time for the annual D10 Como Park Community Council annual Ice Cream Social! Let’s celebrate a summer of neighborhood fun here with games, ice cream, music, art making and neighborhood resources with local organizations! Thanks to D10 for making this possible. And of course CCSL +the MN SEED Project will be there sharing seeds and ways to grow your garden and support our local flora and fauna!
The MN SEED Project at Eco Fair 2024 Powered by Donate Good Stuff
Save the Date! We’ll have more information on the family friendly event centering sustainable practices and showcasing local organizations helping us choose a better path to a more abundant future. Of course we’ll have seeds to share! Find more information here
Growing for Good
CCSL will be sharing seeds and kicking off the Como Grow a Row initiative at Growing for Good at Como Park Lutheran Church. Come taste honey, plant seeds, sign up to help fight hunger, decorate garden markers, learn about Lawns to Legumes and how to support pollinators and much more. Stay tuned for more details!
CCSL at Pick Up and Party
CCSL will get you growing with seeds to feed your family and all your neighbors….with wings and many legs too! Find out all the great details on this wonderful family friendly get together here.
The MN SEED Project at SpringPOP
Join the MN SEED Project and many other artists, makers and community groups for the 2nd Springboard for the Arts SpringPOP. We’ll have seeds to share and we’ll be planting Partridge Peas for pollinators with our neighbors! Find the details here.
CCSL Pop Up at Keystone Community Food Services
CCSL will be sharing seeds with neighbors at Keystone Community Food Services from 2-4 pm. We’ll have a great assortment of seeds for veggies, flowers, and herbs and tips and tricks to share to get you growing your own garden adventure.
CCSL POP UP at Keystone Services
CCSL is so happy to share seeds again at Keystone Community Food Center . We’ll have seeds that are perfect for indoor starting now and for pots and containers during the growing season as well as flower seeds to brighten any urban garden. Find out more about what Keystone has in store for the growing season as well
A Spring Seed Bee’24
Join the MN SEED Project, The Saint Paul Tool Library, Como Park District 10 Community Council, the Saint Paullinators of South Como, CRWD and more for a Seed Bee.
MN SEED Project Executive Director, Courtney Tchida will show us how we can design our gardens for all of our plants and seed saving in mind.
You can also try your hand at a variety of seed starting methods and using a variety of upcycled containers. We’ll have door prizes, a tool swap, and other garden and ecosystem resources available too! If you’d like to volunteer please sign up here!
CPLC MN Food Share Neighborhood Food Drive
Como Park Lutheran Church is hosting it’s annual MN Food Share food drive in their parking lot on Sunday March 17th 12-2pm at the corner of Hamline and Hoyt. Last year Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity visited area food shelves 7.5 million times! Your help is needed and CPLC is making it easy with a drive up and donate event. See the items that are needed on the flyer and while you’re there pick up seeds and growing information for the Como Grow a Row campaign. Help us supply our neighbors with fresh locally grown nutritious fruits, vegetables, and herbs during this growing season.
For more information contact Sue Brogger at Sue@comoparklutheran.org
or Dawn Lamm (dlamm@comoseedlibrary) with any questions.
Spring Snow Growing Winter Sowing Workshop
It’s time to get your hands in the soil and propagate some prairie plant joy for your pollinator gardens with this oh so easy method called winter sowing!
We”ll have seeds , soil, other materials and a limited supply of containers. To make sure there’s enough for everyone, please bring any clean translucent plastic containers like:
Quart size take-out containers
Milk jugs Liter or larger water or beverage containers
Greens containers
Limited to 30
Registration Required
Registration link: https://forms.gle/ky6eEQPrdSqk7sYM9
Volunteer form link: https://forms.gle/fHYW8jZsFXjVE5qZ6
Como Park D10 Blizzard Breakfast
Join Parks and Rec and the Como Community Council for a Pancake Breakfast and Winter Activities at North Dale Recreation Center. Try snowshoeing, cross country skiing and skating before you warm up with a bonfire and s’mores. After all the fun outside, head inside for a pancake breakfast (sponsored and served by Bethel Lutheran), neighborhood resources, Now Make Art kids activity and, new this year, A LOCAL MAKER’S MARKET!
Como Community Seed Library will have seeds to check out and ways to get growing now!
National Seed Swap Day Seed Swap ‘24
It’s time for the National Seed Swap Day Seed Swap 2024!
National Seed Swap Day
Saturday 1/27/24
1-3 pm
Historic Como Streetcar Station
1224 Lexington Pkwy N.
St. Paul MN 55117
Join us for an epic seed trading session with your neighbors! Everyone is welcome from the newest gardeners to veteran cultivators! All seed types are welcome too like native plants, herbs, veggies, annual flowers, perennials, and more. *
Here are a few guidelines to get you started:
For ease of trading we recommend having seeds packaged ready to trade with the suggested following information available for each seed type:
Common Name
Scientific Name(if known)
Date Collected (grown)
Location
Grower/ Collector
Commercial or Locally Grown Seed
Any other pertinent information/ seed story
A picture of the plant/flower/fruit that are from the seeds if you have one.
*Please no patented seed. Here is information on why.
Not sure about packaging? We will have envelopes and other packaging resources available to help you with your seed sharing or check out this link to a creative zero waste option:
https://www.gardensillustrated.com/garden-advice/how-to/make-your-own-seed-packet
This is a free drop in event!
Free limited parking is available in the parking lot and on-street but the streetcar station is easily accessible via the metro transit bus line. No registration is necessary but we encourage you to arrive early for the best seed trade selections! Masks are welcome. We encourage all participants to consider the health of their neighbors as this is an indoor event.
This wonderfully seedy venture is a collaboration of the District 10 Como Community Council and the Lawns to Legumes Demonstration Neighborhood Grant Educational Fund for the Saint Paullinators of South Como, The MN SEED Project, and Capitol Region Watershed District!
Want to volunteer your time and talents helping with this swap? Sign up here for the opportunities that suit you!
For updates and to share sneak peeks of your seeds follow and share your enthusiasm on Facebook and Instagram
Here are some photos from last year’s National Seed Swap Day Seed Swap
MN SEED Project at the White Bear Lake Farmers Market
The MN SEED Project will be sharing seeds and winter sowing secrets at the White Bear Lake Winter Farmers Market. For more information check here!
MN SEED Project- Seed Collection at Monarch City
Save the Date for this last of the MN SEED project seed collection events in 2023. Thank you to Frogtown Green for sharing this wonderful large community stewarded garden with the MN SEED Project for late season seed harvesting. For updates and to join the MN SEED Project email MNSEEDProject@gmail.com
MN SEED Project- Seed Processing at Urban Roots
Save the Date for this skill-share hosted by Urban Roots! We’ll learn more seed saving hacks and ways to preserve our 2023 collected seed! For updates and to join MNSEED email MNSEEDproject@gmail.com.
CCSL at the New Brighton Farmers Market
Save the date for music, food, local artisan goods and lots more….including seeds!!!!
MN SEED Project at Gibbs Farm Apple Fest
Join the MN SEED Project at this wonderful family focused event at Gibbs Farm! We’ll have seeds to share and process and other fun shared from the restored prairie! Gibbs farm will have all things apple including samples from their heritage orchard!
MNSEED Project- Seed Collection at Capitol Region Watershed District Campus
Join the MN SEED Project at the newly expanded Capitol Region Watershed District Campus. Thank you to CRWD for hosting the MN SEED project for this 3rd growing season to collect seeds and learn more about this LEED certified campus and how it’s integrated systems demonstrate more eco-friendly practices conserving water and all it sustains. The MN SEED Project is deeply grateful to CRWD for funding our seed to seed community science project and sharing our vision for a locally adapted native seed network! You can register at the new MN SEED Project website for this workshop as well as all other MN SEED Project events or follow this Eventbrite link. MN SEED Project members who reside in the Capitol Region Watershed District receive a discount. Please email MNSEEDproject@gmail.com for the code.
MN SEED Project -Seed Collection at Monarch City
This the first of two opportunities to collect seed at Monarch City this 2023 season. Thank you to Frogtown Green for hosting the MNSEED Project! To register please use the following Eventbrite Link. The MN SEED Project continues it’s work this season with generous funding from Capitol Region Watershed District . Residents of CRWD and the MN SEED Project members please reach out for further information on special CRWD participation opportunities to MNSEEDProject@gmail.com.
Calendar
Check out our upcoming CCSL events and suggested garden opportunities with our community partners.