Propagating and Sowing Native Edible Plants

Attention professional gardeners, growers, farmers, and landscape designers! With demand for native plants increasing, there are plenty of reasons and opportunities to incorporate them into your professional practice, nursery business, or landscape projects. In partnership with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and taking place at the Gardens, this hands-on workshop with Leo Kenney from Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary and Emily Baisden from Wild Seed Project will discuss the considerations and guide students through the processes necessary for effectively propagating and sowing native edible plants. Instead of foraging from wild populations, learn how to grow natives from seed for professional advantage and add function, beauty, nutrition, and delicious flavors to any garden environment. For this class, MOFGA members are eligible to register at the Gardens’ member price.

Leo Kenney is an ecologist and horticulturist currently based at Norcross Wildlife Foundation. There they work to enhance and supplement native plant communities and improve wildlife habitat using a wide array of applied ecology techniques, including seed collection, propagation from wild seed, restoration planting, and invasive species management.

Emily Baisden works as the Seed Propagation Manager for Wild Seed Project. Prior to that, Emily served as Entomologist and Educator at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. She has an extensive background in native horticulture and environmental education and focuses largely on using native plants to support food webs and biodiversity. She holds a BS in environmental science from the University of New England and an MS in entomology from the University of Delaware.