Ungardening in January: Seeds

Straw mulch over seeds protects a meadow planting. New growth will be augmented with plugs in Spring.
Jacque Schiller
Straw mulch over seeds protects a meadow planting. New growth will be augmented with plugs in Spring.
It is time to think about seeds for spring planting and time to plant seeds that require overwintering to break their dormancy and germinate in the spring. That is my January project, planting the native seeds collected mostly from my garden, the meadow and the woods. I will use the tried-and-true method, re-using plastic gallon jugs which I have saved for this purpose. I cut around the jug, four inches from the bottom, leaving about an inch of the plastic attached so that it hinges open. The bottom is filled with soil and dotted with seed, then I tape the top to the bottom to create a kind of greenhouse. These can be left outside until it starts to warm up, and the tops can then be removed. Be sure to label the jugs in a way that will not succumb to the elements – even Sharpie ink can fade over the winter. I use a wood plant label stake inside the container before I seal it up as well as a tag sealed with clear tape attached to the outside.
I’m also planting seeds directly into the ground in the meadow. The meadow was not mowed last year so there is an excess of grass and thatch covering the soil. I decided to use the propane weed torch to selectively burn the grass where I want to plant the seed. I waited for a morning after a big rain to start this experiment. Holding the torch steady in one spot for a few seconds created an approximately 5-inch patch of char and bare soil. I then used my boot to push back a bit of the newly uncovered topsoil. Onto this moist exposed soil I pressed a few seeds and then covered it lightly with the soil I had pushed back. My foot tamped it down gently and then I loosely covered the patch with some dry grass. With help, I was able to create about forty of these bare patches into which I planted seeds from six different native plants suited to the sandy riparian soil.
We ‘started’ the meadow three years ago on about an acre of land across the stream from our house simply by not mowing it anymore. We had no idea what would grow. And when it did, it was not impressive; mostly non-native weedy plants took over: sheep sorrel, hawkweed and several non-native grasses. But also some promising signs – a few yarrow, horsetail, evening primrose and wild strawberry. The following year, after a June mow, we planted little bluestem seeds, mostly as they did not need the overwintering that perennials typically require to germinate; they grew in well. Last spring I spent way too long pulling out the sheep sorrel and planting partridge pea seeds. Over the season I added a few more flowering perennials: Rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium, Culver’s root Veronicastrum, Bienial Gaura, Gaura Oenothera. From these and a few more species I had enough seed to spare for this planting experiment.
On New Years Day I was chatting with Jacque Schiller -about seeds- at a mellow afternoon party in North Cornwall. Jacque had planted a small meadow in the area where the septic system of their house which had been replaced. She relayed how she spread seeds- a wildflower seed mix specifically for Connecticut from Urban Farmer - last August after the septic work was complete and planned to augment with native plugs this spring. When I got home, I went on the Urban Farmer website to look at the details of the seed mix she used. I was sad and not surprised to see that about 70% of seeds in this particular mix is from non-native species. The company does offer a native mix for the Northeast which is found alongside the other seeds on offer but does not make a distinction between native and non-native seed for the state-specific mixes.
I asked Jacque if she thought her meadow was comprised of native plants; yes, she had. Her error is a common one; I too have bought plants thinking that they were native when they were not. Not all wildflowers are native, of course, but the nomenclature and the way they are sometimes marketed can be confusing to people whose intentions are to plant native. So why is it done? I suspect the wildflower species included in the CT mix are showier than the native alternatives. And perhaps even hardier, as there are fewer animals that eat them or their pollen or reproduce on them. Consumers want aesthetic success, and non-natives can do that but they do not deliver on preserving the native habitat and food chain for native insects, birds and even mammals. Moral here: Buy seeds from reliable sources such as native plant specialists. Exchange seeds with people you trust. Read labels well.
If you are looking for native seeds, there will be a native seed exchange Jan. 25 from noon to 3 p.m in the Munger Barn at The Dudley Farm North Guilford, Conn. Organized by national organization The Wild Ones, the event is a bit far away; but will be a worthwhile trip. For more information, go to mountainlaurel.wildones.org/news/
Dee Salomon ‘ungardens’ in Litchfield County.
NEW BRITAIN — Anthony Labbadia soared to 9th place in the triple jump at the 2025 New England track and field championships Saturday, June 14.
On his first attempt of the event he leaped 44 feet and one inch, qualifying for the finals and setting the new Housatonic Valley Regional High School record. The previous school record of 43 feet eight inches was set by Don Hurlbutt in 1967.
The HVRHS junior was pleased with the result of his first triple jump of the day June 14.Photo by Riley Klein
Conditions were rainy for the meet with the grounds crew utilizing a leaf blower to dry the track between events. Labbadia said he had experienced similar weather at the Berkshire League championships in May, and he won the triple jump there, so he was confident.
“It doesn’t bother me,” said Labbadia of the rain, noting he was excited to be back at Willow Brook Park. “Being here makes me jump farther... I just have to make sure I’m thinking about everything without overthinking.”
Labbadia, a rising senior at HVRHS, wrote his capstone on the triple jump. In his research, his mother explained, he studied and broke down the biomechanics of the event.
Labbadia was injured during track season his freshman year. His sophomore year, he took up triple jumping. He ended his junior year with a 9th-place finish against the top competition in New England.Photo by Riley Klein
Two days before the championships, he made a bold change to his jumping approach — switching from a “right, right, left” sequence to “left, left, right” — and it paid off.
“I’m glad I switched my feet,” he said after the result. “I’m happy with my performance.”
Once all the jumpers from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont had finished, Labbadia’s distance held for 9th place.
The triple jump gold medal winner was Amar Skeete, sophomore from Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, who jumped 48 feet two inches. The 2nd place finisher was Mitch Krasco of Mahar Regional High School in Orange, Massachusetts, with a distance of 46 feet two and a half inches. Jessie Singleton Jr., junior at Bloomfield High School in Connecticut, placed 3rd with a distance of 45 feet ten inches.
Labbadia was the first HVRHS athlete to compete at the New England meet since Sydney Segalla in 2022. Track coach Alan Lovejoy said he cannot recall another HVRHS male athlete qualifying since he became coach in 2009.
Hosted at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, the 2025 New England track and field championship was held in Connecticut for the first time in three years. Events took place all day Saturday, June 14. Full results are available at nestiming.comPhoto by Riley Klein
Rain came down heavy in the morning June 14, but conditions improved as the day went on. The crew used leaf blowers to dry the track between events.Photo by Riley Klein
The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after defending the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title.
THOMASTON — The Canaan Pirates are champions once more.
In the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title game Friday, June 13, the Pirates defeated Thomaston JRC Transportation by a score of 6-2.
Brody Ohler pitched a two-hitter for Canaan. Milo Ellison relieved him, facing one batter who flew out to right field where Ben Young secured the final out.
Canaan never trailed in the game against top-ranked Thomaston, which lost one game all season prior to the championship. Both JRC losses came from the Pirates, with players aged 10 to 12 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.
Milo Ellison played second base before relieving pitcher Brody Ohler.Photo by Riley Klein
In the title game at Reeves Field in Thomaston, the Pirates started strong with a lead in the top of the first inning. Ohler singled, then stole second base. Liam Downey brought him home with a single, then Sam Hahn doubled to put runners on second and third. Ellison brought them both home with a triple and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead.
The margin held until the sixth inning when the Pirates extended their lead to 6-0. With J.T. Farr and Bentley King on, Ohler sent a deep shot to center field and rounded the bases for an in-the-park home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ohler surrendered two runs before reaching his pitch limit. Ellison stepped in to end the game with some help from Young in right field.
The Pirates piled on Young in the outfield chanting “Benny! Benny!” The two sides shook hands in the spirit of sportsmanship before trophies were awarded.
The Pirates rejoice around Ben Young after he secured the final out.Photo by Riley Klein
After winning the District 6 title for the second straight year, Coach Tom Downey said "It feels awesome. Especially this group who worked really hard. Last year we were dominant, this year these guys worked their butts off."
"We definitely earned it," said third baseman Michael Prisco.
Ohler finished with nine strikeouts on the mound, three hits in three at bats, two RBI and a home run. Ellison hit 1-for-2 with two RBI, Liam Downey went 1-for-3 with an RBI, Sam Hahn and J.T. Farr hit 1-for-3 and Sam Hamlin hit 1-for-2.
For Thomaston, Owen H. hit 1-for-2 with two RBI and Lucas K. hit 1-for-2. The pitching trio of Gavin M., Jackson Ether and Brody Conlon combined for 12 strikeouts.
J.T. Farr and Brody Ohler are back-to-back District 6 champions.Photo by Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.
Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.
The Red Sox rejoiced as victors. Reflecting on the season, Coach Nikki Blass stated, “My boys continue to come off the field smiling and doing better than the game before.”
The Red Sox are part of the Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League AAA program, consisting of players aged 9 to 11 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon. Tri-Town includes players from Goshen, Litchfield, Morris and Warren.
Berkley Karcheski connects for a Red Sox hit June 12.Photo by Simon Markow
The result June 12 marked the first win of the season for the Red Sox. The night before, Coach Nikki Blass reassured her team with a letter, writing, “You should keep your heads high and know that you are all an asset to this team. Tomorrow we are clearing the slate and we will win.” She continued, “I hear in addition if you put a bat under your bed you get an amazing hit on game day.”
The bat trick paid off and many Red Sox logged hits in the game. “Everyone was on fire,” exclaimed Blass after the game.
Quinn McKniff pitched the majority of the match for Canaan with reliever Myles Shippa taking the mound for the final inning.
Blaze Freund heads for home.Photo by Simon Markow
Offensively, Blaze Freund logged his first hit of the season. His twin brother Roan scored after sliding head-first into home “Pete Rose-style.” Myles Shippa recorded an RBI double in the game.
The Red Sox gathered beneath the scoreboard for a team photo after the win. With wide smiles and baseballs held high, the players ended another joyous Little League season.
Written by Riley Klein with reporting from Simon Markow.
The Red Sox conclude the 2025 season with a win.Photo provided
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.
The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.
Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.
Before the run, she told friends she was hoping for a “hard reset for [her] health,” she said with a rueful laugh.
Nearing the end of the loop, Horn said her leg was fatigued and gave out, causing her to fall on the pavement. She is grateful for the community members who helped during the ordeal, including an unknown motorist who waited with her until her husband arrived, and the staff at Sharon Hospital who she said were “wonderful.”
She was directed to keep weight off her hip for 4 to 6 weeks, and since her collarbone is also fractured, cannot use crutches so she’s partially wheelchair-bound for the time being. While she’s disappointed to be missing out on the start of hiking, biking and running season, she’s keeping her sights forward and focusing on recovery.
In the meantime, she said she’s grateful for the video and photo updates from her son, who is hiking the Connecticut portion of the Appalachian Trail: “I’m living vicariously through him.”