The North Shore Neighbourhood House's Edible Garden Project is welcoming gardening newbies and enthusiasts alike to this weekend's Seedy Saturday seed swap extravaganza.
In a time of changing climate and increasing stresses to our agricultural systems, it is more important than ever to promote the cultivation of a diverse array of plant species, according to a press release from the EGP.
Many home gardeners are saving their own seeds to preserve heirloom varieties and regain some of the diversity that once existed. Seedy Saturday events take place across the country in early spring and are gathering places for gardeners to get their hands on rare and unique varieties, share cultivars adapted to their local areas, and swap gardening stories and tips.
The 2016 edition of the local annual event is running from noon to 2 p.m., on Saturday, March 12. This year it will be held at the North Vancouver City Library, which houses the North Shore Seed Library, allowing gardeners to share seeds year-round. A seed swap features as the main event, as well as a free, pre-event seed-saving workshop from 10 to 11:30 a.m., where participants can learn to save their own seeds with Sahar Zandieh, a seed enthusiast who did research last year at the University of British Columbia's seed-saving farm.
There will also be seedlings and herbal tinctures for purchase and knowledgeable gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and share info about pollinator gardens and flowers, native plants with medicinal uses, seed-saving and food growing.
Admission is by donation, with all proceeds supporting the seed library and Edible Garden Project's programs to increase food security on the North Shore.
For information or to register for the seed-saving workshop, visit ediblegardenproject.com/events/seedy-saturday.
