Izzy Julio

In partnership with the Master Gardeners of Union County, Elizabeth Talmont & Izzy Julio will be joining the Union Public Library for both an informative discussion on native plants and a hands-on practice of winter sowing. Learn about the vital role of native plants for the community, benefits of cultivating them, and the importance of native plants in local gardens. Then we will get to work with soil and seeds. You’ll discover how easy winter sowing can be done at home. 

Introduction to Native Plants

Discover the beauty and benefits of gardening with native plants in this introductory workshop with Master Gardener Elizabeth Talmont. Learn why plants that evolved in our region are essential for local wildlife, require less maintenance, and create sustainable gardens. Get practical tips for selecting, planting, and maintaining native species that thrive in New Jersey conditions.

Understanding Native Plants & Wildlife

• Audubon – Why Native Plants Matter
• NJ State Bird Eastern Goldfinch
• Audubon – Plants for Birds

Plant Selection & Growing Information

• NJ Native Plant Map
• Guide to Native Plants and Sunlight
• Everything To Know About Swamp Milkweed
• Native Plant Finder
• National Wildlife Federation – Plant Native
• Guide to Native Plants and Sunlight

Where to Purchase Plants

• PollenNation
• Toadshade Wildflower Farm
• Native Plant Society of NJ – Plant Lists

Local Support & Additional Resources

• Master Gardener Program – Union County
  Madeline Flahive DiNardo: 908-654-9854 ext.4, flahive@njaes.rutgers.edu Garden Helpline: 908-654-9852, mastergardeners@ucnj.org
• Rutgers Extension Native Plants Guide
• Jersey Yards Native Gardens
• NJ Native Plant Society
• Homegrown National Park
• World Wildlife Fund
• U.S. Forest Service

Winter Sowing Native Plants

Learn how to grow native plants from seed using recycled containers as mini greenhouses. Master Gardener Izzy Julio demonstrates this simple winter gardening technique, and participants will help start seeds for their own home and Vauxhall Library’s new native sensory garden.

Finding Seeds Locally

Free Seed Libraries

• Union Public Library Main Branch
• Vauxhall Library (Coming soon!)
• Cranford Library
• Glen Ridge Library
• Flagship Native Seed Library-South Orange, NJ

Organizations

• Livingston Eagles Garden (LinkTree)
• Native Plant Society of New Jersey
• Wild Seed Project
• Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County
• Buy Nothing Union Township, NJ
• Local garden clubs & friends
• Prairie Moon Nursery (Minnesota)

Native Plants & Gardening

• “Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening & Conservation” – Donald J. Leopold
• “Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change” – Larry Weaner
• “Nature’s Best Hope” – Douglas W. Tallamy – (or Youth Edition)
• “The Living Landscape” – Rick Darke & Douglas Tallamy
• “A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators” – Lorraine Johnson

Sustainable Gardening

• “The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener” – Niki Jabbour
• “Braiding Sweetgrass” – Robin Wall Kimmerer – (or Youth Edition)

Wildlife & Field Guides

• “National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region” – John W. Thieret
• “What It’s Like to Be a Bird” – David Sibley
• “The Sibley Guide to Birds” – David Sibley
• “NJ Wildlife Viewing Guide” – Laurie Pettigrew

Native Gardening & Winter Sowing

• The Native Plant Society of New Jersey
• Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County – Guide to Winter Sowing
• Jersey-Friendly Yards
• Wild Seed Project – YouTube & Website
• Flagship Native Seed Library-South Orange, NJ (Facebook Group)
• Sheryl Mann’s Winter Sowing Videos (YouTube)

Online nurseries located in New Jersey:

• Pinelands Direct
• Toadshade Wildflower Farm
• Great Swamp Watershed