Seedy Saturday

Date:

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Time:

10am – 4pm

Location:

Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street

Admission:

$7 cash at the door
Under 12 free

Highlights:

• Speaker Talks
• Exhibitors (Enquiries at info@jamesbaymarket.com or voice message 250-381-5323)
• Chef Demonstrations
• Open-pollinated Seeds
• Seedlings, Plants, Roses
• Seed Exchange
• Displays & Demos
• Garden & Food Products
• Kids’ Activities
• Master Gardeners
• Seedy Cafe
• ATM on Site

 

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Photo: Matt Whelan

Seedy Saturday is Victoria’s annual community seed and garden show with commerce, education and networking opportunities for all. Here is where you buy open-pollinated, non-GMO flower, herb and vegetable seeds direct from the growers who can advise you about the best choices for your specific growing conditions.

Small nurseries offer seedlings, herbs, bulbs, perennials, small fruits, roses, native and specialty plants, fruit and nut trees, bamboo and succulents. There will be mason bee boxes and cocoons, too.

Local small businesses present their services and garden products. Garden club representatives talk about their membership and programs, and organizations working on food security and environmental issues provide displays and information about their activities.

Photo: Matt Whelan

Don’t forget to visit the Seed Exchange where you can purchase seeds that have been donated by other backyard gardeners. This is an easy way to try out something new if you are adventuresome or new to the gardening world. If you already save your own seeds and wish to donate or exchange them – THANK YOU! Please ensure they are cleaned, and labelled with the variety and year.

Seedy Saturday welcomes families so bring the kids. We have a dedicated area for the young ones to learn about growing or to take a break with their parents, 10am – 2pm.

There are lots of talks to consider attending, with mostly local presenters sharing their expertise with you on a variety of topics.

While the focus is on seeds and growing, we also emphasize LOCAL, so we have exhibitors with samples of cheese, fish, pates, preserves, honey, teas, sprouts and mushrooms. Some farmers will have seedling starts or in-season produce and free-range eggs.

We also have local chefs presenting short cooking demonstrations with easy-to-prepare menu items from 11 am through 2 pm (please note, no seating is provided).

Photo: Matt Whelan

Victoria’s Master Gardeners come with their reference books and welcome your questions to help solve your gardening difficulties. The Seedy Cafe offers light lunches and snacks, a space to take a break and peruse a seed catalogue or decide which speaker presentation to attend next.

This year we are proud to announce that we are working for the first time with the Coastal Invasive Plant Committee. Our goal is to have an invasive-free Seedy Saturday, so that our enthusiasm for growing things causes as little damage as possible to local ecosystems.

Victoria’s Seedy Saturday is about community: here you will find a friendly, inviting and supportive environment of exhibitors and attendees sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm about growing food and plants in tune with nature. Join us!

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