SEEDY SATURDAY -- February 28!
By Contributor
Get Ready for Gardening: Rossland Seed Swap and Sale
Rossland Real Foods Seedy Saturday will take place Saturday February 28th from 1-4 pm at the Rossland Miners Union Hall. Gardeners will find lots of great seeds at the seed swap and sale, as well as seed starting flats, pots seed starting soil and soil amendments.
Local gardeners will be on hand to provide advice on growing vegetables, seed saving, composting, soil amendments, backyard chickens, and bee keeping. “At Seedy Saturday new gardeners can speak with experienced gardeners and learn what types of vegetables grow well in Rossland.” said Rossland Real Foods volunteer, Rachel Roussin. “Getting into the event is free and so is the gardening advice!”
“I’m always excited about this event. It is a great opportunity for gardeners to purchase or trade for local seed that is adapted to our altitude and weather” explains Sarah Flood, coordinator of Rossland Real Foods Seedy Saturday. “All of the seeds for sale at Seedy Saturday will be non-GMO, open pollinated and organic so you can save your own seeds. We are planning seed saving workshops this summer so you can learn how!”
Stellar Seeds from Johnston’s Landing, Cherry Meadows Seeds from the Slocan Valley and The Seed Basket from Nelson are confirmed for Rossland’s Seedy Saturday. Stellar Seeds and Cherry Meadows will be bringing vegetable, herb and flower seeds. The Seed Basket will be bringing a wide selection of poppy seeds as well a special gardeners soap designed to sooth hardworking hands.
A new addition to this year’s vendors is BC Eco Seeds Cooperative. This newly formed co-operative will have seed from member growers from throughout BC including Full Circle Seeds (Sooke), Seeds of the Revolution, Glorious Organics Co-op (Fraser Valley) and Planting Seeds Project (Lytton). All Eco Seeds Cooperative seed is organic, open pollinated, and non –GMO.
The seed swap is a growing part of Rossland’s Seedy Saturday event. “Gardeners who saved open pollinated seed from their vegetables or flowers are invited to bring their extra seed and trade with other gardeners.” explains Real Foods volunteer, Ann Damude. “ At Seedy Saturday, we’ll have a special table for seed swaps.”
Seed swappers are asked to package their seeds in small envelopes that are clearly labeled with the type of seed and date of collection. Each envelope should have enough seed to plant a 5 foot row, or start 3-5 individual plants. Details on seed swapping and on Rossland’s Seedy Saturday, can be found on the Rossland Real Foods website http://www.rosslandfood.com/contact-us/local-seeds
