The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is inviting people in Goderich, Ontario, to a hands-on workshop on January 17, 2026, to learn how to grow native plants during the winter. The session will take place at the Lakeshore United Church Fellowship Hall and focuses on teaching residents how to start their spring gardens using simple, low-cost methods.
Participants will learn a technique called winter sowing, which uses clear plastic containers like milk jugs to act as tiny greenhouses. These containers are left outside in the cold so the seeds can experience the natural freezing and thawing they need to sprout when the weather warms up in the spring.
The event also includes a lesson on sifting and cleaning native seeds that were collected in the fall. Local gardeners can use these skills to grow hardy wildflowers that help support local bees and butterflies while also improving the health of the soil in their own backyards.
This workshop is part of the conservation authority’s 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of protecting the local environment since the group started in 1946. By growing native plants at home, residents can help with restoration efforts across the Ausable and Bayfield river areas.
Those interested in attending must register by January 14, 2026. There are several time slots available throughout the day for people to come and try the seed-sifting and sowing activities.
