ReSeeding RI move into its next phase – Plugs to Plants

In 2022, Shannon Kingsley, our botanist, collected native seeds from the wild, during the first stage of our ReSeeding RI Initiative.  RIWPS members then cleaned and winter sowed them into plug trays in December. Our horticulturist, Barbara Shaughnessy, took over to nurture them in “clamshell” cold frames.  

Barbara watched over these trays as they germinated and grew into healthy strong plants with sturdy stems and vigorous roots.  Now these plugs are beginning their journey to the organic farmers and land trusts that will grow the plants to maturity.

Last week, Barbara Shaughnessy and Dave Vissoe delivered about 220 Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower) plugs to Little Seed Farm owned by Lizzie Hunt in East Greenwich, where they will grown in a foundation plot. Their seeds will be collected at maturity in 2024 to start seed amplification and produce RI native seeds and plants for our Ecotype 59region.  

It is truly a joy in the journey to see this awesome project take its next steps. Follow along via Instagram ReseedingRI or learn more on our website.  Watch for more farms and land trusts that will be growing out our plugs in foundation plots.