Since 2013, Seedy Saturday in the Battlefords has been bringing together gardeners, farmers, seed-savers and growers who are enthusiastic about growing heirloom vegetables.Â
Organizers say it is a great opportunity to connect with other local gardeners, and learn more about the importance of growing heirloom varieties and preserving diversity in our garden crops.
This year's Seedy Saturday in the Battlefords will be held Saturday, April 2, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Don Ross Centre in the craft room, accessed by door number 2. (The event was previously held in the Chapel Gallery and is now moved to the Craft Room.)
There will be seed vendors offering a wide variety of prairie hearty, heirloom vegetable seeds. There will also be displays and other goodies for sale, such as local honey.
There will also be children's activities, by-donation refreshments and door prizes.
The afternoon presentations this year will be held on the following topics: seed saving, permaculture forest gardening and garden planning and design.
There will also be a seed blessing at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck, priest at Battle River Anglican Parish (St. Paul's and St. George's).
New this year will be a table of plant pots free to anyone who will give them a good home.
Organizers say, "If you have any seeds to trade or share, bring them along! Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted."
According to Erl Svendsen of the Saskatchewan Perennial Society and Garden Chat author, Seedy Saturday (and in some places, Seedy Sunday) is a made-in-Canada event, started by Sharon Rempel who was searching for local heirloom vegetable, flower and wheat varieties for an 1880s garden project at the Grist Mill and Garden in Keremeos, B.C.
Her first event in 1990 at the VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, B.C. brought out 500 people to listen to her talk about seeds, swap and buy seeds and to tell stories. A few local seed companies were on hand selling open-pollinated varieties as well as representatives from conservation and health organizations. Since then, the event has spread across Canada, the United States and Europe. Seeds of Diversity (www.seeds.ca), a charitable non-profit interested in preserving heirloom seeds, now helps local Canadian organizations host Seedy Saturdays and Sundays.
