Growing interests shared at popular and busy Seedy Saturday

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
While the scene outside was a white, snowy and icy one early Saturday morning, inside the warm gymnasium at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute on Picton’s Barker Street, thoughts of the upcoming growing season were top of mind.

Visitors to Seedy Saturday were welcomed by volunteers Deborah and Judith upon arrival. Judith is Ukrainian and proud of her heritage, and happy to give a nod to the sunflower, Ukraine’s national flower.

Now in its 17th year, Seedy Saturday PEC is an early kick-off to spring and the growing season ahead, providing a full day of all things garden- and nature-related for those itching for gardening season to begin, and it couldn’t come soon enough for many.

Celebrating seeds, sustainability and growing local knowledge with those like-minded, the community-focused event is a fun and engaging one. A volunteer-run event, Seedy Saturday PEC is led by Tamara Segal, of Hawthorn Herbals.

For gardeners (of all abilities and experience levels), seed savers and nature lovers, the late-winter annual event is a popular one and was busy again this year as folks came out looking for seeds, ideas, information or knowledge – or just to connect with gardening friends and neighbours after a long snowy winter of hibernation.

Along with 20 or so vendors, an interesting and delicious lunch menu (along with treats and snacks), there were three different presentations, a kids’ corner, and this new year, a short outdoor winter walk around the school property in search of weeds, and what could be identified poking through the snow.

But it is the seeds that are the big draw for this event.

When it came to the huge diversity of seed choices at the seed swap tables, which seems to grow in size and selection each year, if it could be imagined, it probably could be found. And with seeds being added to the big piles throughout the day, there’s a good chance something special may show up at any point through the day.

The idea behind the seed swap is to bring seeds for the seed donation table, as well as take seeds donated by others, but you certainly don’t have to give in order to receive, and while not required, cash donations are welcome.

Vegetable seeds usually dominate the seed swap tables, and the variety is an enormous and interesting one, but there are also perennials galore, annuals too, native and heirloom varieties, and among the donations often something unique can be found for those with a keen and determined eye.

Garden clubs, community associations, local growers and farmers, beekeepers, and seed producers were among the vendors. And for those who really can’t keep real plants alive, there was a dried flower choice, along with some creative crocheted cacti, which may be the answer for those looking for plants that will never die.

Unexpectedly, penetrating the din of the room, a violin player pleased the ear.

Remarkably, organizers have kept the favourite event free of charge once again this year – admission is free, all the talks are free, the walk is free, lunch is almost free (a donation is appreciated), the kids’ corner, and the entire contents of the seed swap tables, free for the taking too.

The three presentations included Miyawaki forests, presented by Lise Bois of the County Garden Club and Gerry Jenkison of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists. They spoke to the history of Miyawaki forests, what they are, how to plant one, and why they can play an important role in improving the County’s tree canopy and its biodiversity.

Native plants in home landscapes was the topic covered by Bailey Austin MacMillan of Dropseed Native Plant Nursery where the role of native plants and biodiversity was covered, as well as talking about different types of gardens and favourite plants. Jai Wright’s presentation on saving seeds from the garden addressed how to collect, prepare and store seeds.

Families could enjoy some fun hands-on activities for the kids where they could get their hands into some soil to pot up their own houseplant cutting to take home, or winter sow some native seeds, also to take home. For those with an artistic talent, drawing and colouring were also popular at the kids’ table.

While seed sorting and hunting can be an exhausting pastime, healthy hot lunch choices were available and appreciated by those spending the day and in need of an energy break. Local chefs and the County Food Hub provided lunch, along with an array of yummy-looking snacks and refreshments.

Seedy Saturday was born from Seeds of Diversity, a Canadian organization dedicated to preserving, studying and encouraging the cultivation of heirloom and endangered food crop varieties.