Welcome to the
Grey Bruce
Native Seed Bank

The Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the growth and preservation of native plants and seeds for ecosystem restoration.

Our Seed Bank is composed of local, native, sustainably collected 'source identified and truly wild' adapted seed.

Our mission is to provide large quantities of archived, genetically diverse seed for conservation projects and to support the restoration of natural habitats in our local area.

Learn More

Come check out the South Grey Home & Garden Show tomorrow between 10:00am and 3:00pm! We will be at the Kinplex in Flesherton sharing a table with Grey Highlands Climate Action Group.

https://southgreyhomeandgardenshow.com/

Join us for our spring planting days!

Saturday, May 9, 1:00-4:00pm
Pinnacle Rock Seed Orchard, Duncan
44.408676, -80.458332

Sunday, May 24, 1:00-4:00pm
Ontario Flora Seed Orchard, Markdale, ON
585538 Sideroad 10a, RR2

Email greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com with any questions, or to RSVP.

Spring is in full swing and we’re excited to get back out there! 🌱

Once again, you are invited to join our stewardship group. Starting May 6, and continuing biweekly on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm, we’ll be working together at the Pinnacle Rock seed orchard in Duncan (coordinates: 44.408676, -80.458332).

Email greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com with any questions, or to RSVP.

To friends and wood-be participants: The Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank’s bi-weekly stewardship team is expanding! Our first stewardship group outdoors is May 6th, but we have a few winter sessions, all about saving and stratifying seeds. Come by with a friend next Wednesday... and get our seeds packs as a gift, partake in snacks and participate in the work bee!

Wednesday, February 25th, 6:00-8:00pm
Grey Highlands Public Library - Flesherton
101 Highland Dr, Flesherton

RSVP greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

A Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank Update!

This group has been humming along. Over this year, the Grey Highlands Community Fund gave GBNSB some much needed funds for 2025! A larger grant from Carolinian Canada Coalition is coming down the pipes (for 2026), and finally Bass Pro Shop gave us a nice grant as well (for 2026). Wow a great year for much needed funds for this not-for-profit.

The Community Fund grant (Grey Highlands municipality) was especially important, as they paid for weed suppression for the 1/4 acre of rows... this was the majority of the grant. This next year’s funds will also help with marketing, and inviting more like minded groups to get involved, as part of multi-group style engagement, mostly at the GBNSB Duncan Seed Orchard. Stay tuned for more info on that team style engagement plan.

Although separate from Ontario Flora (OF does not profit from this), OF is supporting the ventures of GBNSB seed packs and bags of seed for sale on its Not-for-Profit Page, here https://www.ontarioflora.ca/non-profit-projects/

Seed available:
- Wild Calamint
- Gray Goldenrod
- Upland White Goldenrod
- New England Aster
- Large-leaved Aster
- Heath Aster
- Grass-leaved Goldenrod

GBNSB’s new website is coming soon, where you will also see all the seed for sale! Send your seed inquiries to greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

If you’re out and about and interested in buying GBNSB seed packs in person, they are being sold at Kimberly General Store, Kimberley; Top O’ The Rock, Eugenia; Sideroad Farm, Walter’s Falls; The Keep Refillery, Meaford, and at the Owen Sound Artist’s Coop...Thanks to these businesses for their support!

What a great feeling to get this group’s seed out for sale, in small steps, in 2025! Looking forward to bigger steps in 2026!

You’re invited to join the GBNSB for our Fall 2025 Stewardship Gatherings! These events are a great opportunity to connect with the land, support local biodiversity, and contribute to important native seed conservation efforts.

We’ll be working with sustainably collected, locally sourced native seed to support large-scale ecological restoration projects right here in Grey-Bruce.

📍 Bi-weekly Wednesday Gatherings
6:00-7:30 PM at Pinnacle Rock Seed Orchard, Sideroad 6, Duncan, 44.408676, -80.458332

Dates:

-September 17
-October 1, 15, 29
-November 12, 26
-December 10 (indoor location TBA)

Activities include:

-Laying landscape fabric between crops
-Field prep: weeding, applying cardboard, planting
-Harvesting native seeds: Heath Aster, New England Aster, Grass-Leaved Goldenrod
-Sorting, weighing, and recording seeds
-Packaging seeds for holiday fundraiser sales

🌿 Special Events

Saturday, September 27 at 1:00 PM
-Field Prep & Milkweed Planting
📍 Location: Pinnacle Rock Seed Orchard, Sideroad 6, Duncan, 44.408676, -80.458332

Sunday, October 19 from 2:00–3:30 PM
-Seed Collection
📍 Rail Trail, Markdale

We welcome volunteers of all experience levels — whether you’re a seasoned native plant enthusiast or new to seed stewardship, there’s a place for you!

🔗 Learn more or let us know you’re coming:
📧 greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

This Sunday! Team volunteer day!

On August 17th from 10:00am-1:00pm we will work together to lay fabric in the pathways between the native plant crops at the Pinnacle Rock Seed Orchard on Sideroad 6 in Duncan. The location coordinates are: 44.40862° N, 80.45833° W.

We are delighted and grateful that Kimberly General Store will be donating coffee and treats to fuel our mission.

For inquires or to RSVP please email: greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

You’re invited!

What: Seed Tray Planting event
Where: Ontario Flora, 585538 Sideroad 10a, Markdale (access via 9th line only)
When: Wednesday July 9, 6:30-8:00pm
Why: To raise up seedlings that can be transplanted to the seed orchard in the fall
How: Planting in trays, seeds that have been cold stratifying in the refrigerator

RSVP to this email. We look forward to planting with you soon!

The first two weekly stewardship groups were a success!

Our goal is to finish transplanting the overwintered seedlings by the end of May. We don’t have a water source at our Pinnacle Rock seed orchard in Duncan so we aim to make the most of the cooler temperatures and increased moisture during spring.

If you’d like to join us, please do! We meet every Wednesday from 6:30-8:00pm.

Location: Pinnacle Rock Seed Orchard, Sideroad 6, Duncan (44.408676, -80.458332)
https://maps.apple.com/?address=Sideroad%206,%20Ravenna%20ON%20N0H%202E0,%20Canada&ll=44.408676,-80.458332&q=Dropped%20Pin

Email: greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

On May 4 we tapped into the true meaning of many hands makes light work! Together we rebuilt the shed, prepped beds, planted seeds and transplanted seedlings! What a fantastic start to the season.  Infinite gratitude to the many volunteers that make this possible.

The first Weekly Stewardship Group of 2025 meets on Wednesday May 7th from 6:30-8:00pm!

Join us any Wednesday from now until mid-October.

Pinnacle Rock Seed Orchard
Sideroad 6, Duncan (44.408676, -80.458332)

https://maps.apple.com/?address=Sideroad%206,%20Ravenna%20ON%20N0H%202E0,%20Canada&ll=44.408676,-80.458332&q=Dropped%20Pin

Email: greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

On April 13th a humble group of volunteers gathered around at the Meaford Public Library to prepare seeds for cold stratification!

These seeds will experience cold stratification in moist sand or perlite, in the fridge before being planted: Joe-Pye Weed, Rough Goldenrod, Upland White Goldenrod, Lance-leaf Aster, Indian Hemp, Spreading Dogbane, Switchgrass, Grey Goldenrod and Large Leaf Aster.

Weekly Stewardship Group starts on Wednesday May 7 at 6:30pm! Join us at the Pinnacle Rock Seed Orchard in Duncan every Wednesday until mid-October. For registration and inquires email: greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

Join us at the Pinnacle Rock seed orchard in Duncan on Sunday May 4 from 1-4pm!

On March 8 we gathered in Charly’s kitchen to plant seeds for cold stratification. The planted seeds were moved outside to experience the natural cold period required to break their dormancy. We are looking forward to seeing germination.  Thank you to our wonderful volunteers!

In October 2024 we partnered with The Friends of the Kimberley Forest for their native seed and plant restoration land stewardship project.
Immense gratitude to all the wonderful volunteers and partners; Sarah Tacoma of Bloom Botanicals, Beaver Valley Ski Club, Beaver Valley Ski Club and Kimberley General store.
Over the course of 3 seed collection events we sustainably collected: New England Aster, Lance Leaved Aster, Common Milkweed, Thimbleweed, Calico Aster, Grass Leaved Goldenrod, Rough Goldenrod, Virgin’s Bower, Joe Pye Weed, Shining Aster, Wool Grass, Turtlehead, Agrimony, Swamp Milkweed, Canada Anemone, Blue Flag Iris, Virginia Wild Rye and Black Rush. The seeds were direct sown in the fall, allowing them to experience natural cold stratification.
Be sure to check out the restoration site near the Kimberley Forest parking lot at 4A and 7th Line. Soon the seeds will be germinating and we can’t wait to see how they grow!

Our friends at the Blue Mountains Public Library, in partnership with the Grey County Master Gardeners, will be providing an interactive native plant seed starting workshop. Learn about winter seed starting, cold stratification, and how to get your seeds off to the right start this winter.

Saturday November 23, 2024 at 2:00pm
L.E. Shore Memorial Library, 173 Bruce St. South, Thornbury, ON

For more information and to register visit: https://www.thebluemountainslibrary.ca/events-programs/native-plant-seed-starting-workshop?utm_source=Cyberimpact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Library-News-November-2024

Exciting seed collection opportunities coming up in October!
To register email: killoran.kel@gmail.com

You’re invited to a planting event with Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank and Grey Highlands Climate Action Group on Saturday September 21st, 10am-12pm!

Let’s work together and take action to increase and preserve biodiversity. This planting event will take place at the Pinnacle Rock seed orchard on Sideroad 6 in Duncan, Ontario.

All are welcome, no experience required. Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear for planting in a field. Tools will be provided, but please bring a trowel if you can.

A variety of tea, coffee and treats will be kindly provided by Kimberley General Store.

GPS coordinates: 44.40868° N, 80.45833° W

To register email
greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

We’re excited to plant with you!

Join Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank and Beaver Valley Destination Stewardship as we continue to nurture our relationship with the land, this time through planting! Come have fun planting on Wednesday, September 18th, 6:00-8:00pm!
The Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank mission is to sustainably collect wild adapted seed, grow it up in seed orchards, harvest it and process it to provide large quantities of archived, genetically diverse seed for restoration projects in this area.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy provided the Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank with farm land on Sideroad 6 near Pinnacle Rock in Duncan, Ontario. There exists the beginning of a 5 acre seed orchard. Numerous seed collection events last fall allowed for direct winter sowing as well as seed stratifying and tray planting. As the season shifts to fall it is time to plant seedlings!
All are welcome, no experience required. Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear for planting in a field. Tools will be provided, but please bring a trowel if you can.
GPS coordinates: 44.40868° N, 80.45833° W
Email greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com to register. We’re excited to plant with you!

The seed tray planting grand finale at the Ontario Flora seed orchard during last weeks stewardship group was fun and successful.

We seeded a lots of Fireweed, as well as Spotted Joe Pye Weed and a bit of Canada Anemone! Some other seeds we already have growing in trays are: Tall Thimbleweed, Grass Leaved Goldenrod, Swamp Aster and Common Milkweed.

Stay tuned for a weekend event to help transplant the seedlings into the field this fall!

Weekly Stewardship Group is back at the Pinnacle Rock seed orchard in Duncan tomorrow, and every Wednesday until mid October, from 6:30-8:00pm. To get involved please email greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

Blooms in the Alvar at the Ontario Flora seed orchard near Markdale!
Upland White Goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides) and Wild Calamint (Calamintha arkansanas) entering full bloom while Blue Eyed Grass (Sisirynchium montanum) has already finished blooming.
It is such a joy to watch these plants grow and know that one day we will collect their seeds to share.

Join us for our grand finale seed tray planting event!

Who: GBNSB Weekly Stewardship Group and you!
What: Plant the remaining cold stratifying seeds into trays
Where: Ontario Flora, 585538 Sideroad 10a, Markdale
When: Wednesday, July 17th from 6:30-8:00pm

These seeds will be raised up and transplanted in the field at the Pinnacle Rock seed orchard in Duncan in the fall.

Extra help is needed! Invite your friends, enjoy good company and try the refreshments. Anise Hyssop and Mountain Mint iced tea will be shared. It is also a great opportunity to tour the Ontario Flora seed orchard and native plant nursery!

Please note that Ontario Flora on Sideroad 10a is only accessible via 9th line.

Contact greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

We made some exciting discoveries during Weekly Stewardship Group last week...

... the seeds we planted in March are growing!!!

We are so delighted to see Thimbleweed, Common Milkweed, Fireweed, New England Aster, Rough Leaved Goldenrod, and Indian Hemp.

The cover crop is filling in nicely too!

If you would like to grow with us please email: greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

On Tuesday July 2 at 6:30pm the Grants and Funding action circle is hosting a zoom meeting and you are invited! This is a great opportunity to learn more, get involved, and help raise money to support the Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96081481151?pwd=rWfAPfPHDvZpDIz7YyYjAVA3LCveCh.1

While there are many ways to get involved, we are specifically looking for volunteers to help with grants, as well as an online fundraiser auction and fundraiser concert initiatives.

If you’re not able to attend the zoom meeting and want to get involved, please email:
greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

At the June 12th Weekly Stewardship Group we had so much fun planting seeds!
We got a great start on planting out the seeds we cold stratified in the fridge. We planted Common Milkweed, Grass Leaved Goldenrod, Spotted Joe Pye Weed and Swamp Aster. Thank you to Claire, Jarret, Stella and Charly for planting seeds, and thank you to Grey Heron Garden Centre for donating seedling soil!
More seeds will be planted over the next few weeks, with the hopes that the seedlings will be a good size for transplanting at the Pinnacle Rock seed orchard in Duncan in the fall of 2024.
We are looking for more help with both the Weekly Stewardship Group and the Steering Committee. To get involved please email greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

Plant seeds with us!

On Wednesday June 12 from 6:30-8:00pm weekly stewardship group is happening at Ontario Flora. 585538 Sideroad 10a Markdale (access to Sideroad 10a via 9th line only)

Some of the seeds collected in fall 2023 are experiencing a 60 day cold stratification period in the fridge. On Wednesday they will come out of the cold and have the opportunity to grow into seedlings that will be planted at our Pinnacle Rock seed orchard in Duncan. They will be nurtured and raised up until they are ready to be transplanted in the fall of 2024, when cooler temperatures and greater rainfall are expected.

If you would like to join us and have any questions please email:
greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

The first two weekly stewardship groups were a blast! We are so grateful for our community.

We are also really excited to confirm that the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is growing really well!

If you would like to get involved, please email greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

Starting next week, on May 22, the Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank Weekly Stewardship Group will be happening on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm!

Our main focus will be working together to steward the new Pinnacle Rock seed orchard in Duncan, with occasional visits to the seed orchard at Ontario Flora in Markdale.

We are excited to offer the opportunity to grow sustainably-collected locally-sourced seed! Providing bulk quantities of genetically diverse seed will serve local restoration projects.

Many hands make light work! To get involved please email greybrucenativeseedbank@gmail.com

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Welcome to the Grey Bruce Native Seed Bank

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Welcome to the
Grey Bruce
Native Seed Bank