Seedy Saturday was held at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre yesterday, it was the first time that I had the opportunity to attend the very popular event, now in it’s 9th year. I was so happy to be attending and even happier while I was there, being amongst so many eager gardeners and all of the seeds, plants and gardening accessories!
It was challenging to take photos both physically and mentally, it was so crowded that I had to be real quick to take shots when an opening presented itself and it was hard to think of taking photos when I was so into looking at everything! Anyway, here is a lengthy selection of pictures to show you what our Seedy Saturday looks like in Qualicum Beach – lengthy but only a small slice of the booths that were there.
Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
Seedy Saturday Entry
Just as I walked in, a lovely lady pulled me aside to say I had won a door prize! I was led to a table laden with gifts donated by many business’s and individuals where I chose a great pair of garden gloves ~ perfect start for the new garden season!
View from the stage - a well attended event!
Our area has many ways in which to satisfy your gardening dreams, there are garden clubs, an incredible botanical garden, several garden centres, master gardener courses, garden tours and much more!
Milner Gardens & Woodland
Milner Gardens Shoots with Roots program for children
Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society - "MARS"
Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association
A large draw of Seedy Saturday is the Community Seed Swap – you bring seeds that you have harvested, receive coupons for these and in turn are able to pick up packets of seeds of flowers, vegetables and herbs that you need. For those of us who do not have seeds to contribute, for a nominal 50 cents per package you can also purchase them.
Community Seed Swap
Seed Swap Instructions
As well as this area for seeds, scattered throughout the main hall there were many seed vendors, so many that were completely new to me. It was so encouraging to see the selection in organic and diverse varieties! The booths that sold seeds were so busy with purchasers that I was only able to catch a few on the camera…..
One of "Brother Nature" seed racks
Twining Vine Garden seed selection cards
Twining Vine's selection of tomato seeds
USC Canada Seeds of Survival
Many, many vendors were there but once again I could only capture a few by patiently waiting for a moment to click, with so many that moment didn’t materialize! Here is a sampling ~
The Bonsai Studio
Sloping Hill Farm
Oceanside Edibles Garden Services
Alba Plants - Gems for the Rock Garden
Cedar Trellis's & soil screeners (I missed their name)
On top of all of that, there were guest speakers giving informative talks in one of the separate meeting rooms ~ Linda Gilkeson on Smart Gardening, Three Keys to Growing Your Most Successful Organic Garden Yet ~ Chanchal Cabrera of Innisfree Farm on Weeds as Medicine ~ Dan Jason of Salt Spring Seeds and Owen Bridge of Annapolis Seeds on Saving Seeds. There was also a small group from the Qualicum Beach Farmers Market selling their produce, baking & frozen fish and the “Seedy Cafe” where you could take a coffee break or have a delicious lunch.
On a final note, this shot summed it up for me, this event is about the seeds that will always sustain us, in good times and in bad, and whether it is our farmers or ourselves in our own gardens, we should not let big agricultural companies determine which small selection of fruits and vegetables should only be available to us.
USC Canada Seeds of Survival
Qualicum Beach’s Seedy Saturday has its own website where you will find more detailed information about the speakers and vendors who were in attendance.
I hope you have enjoyed this post on this great event as much as I have enjoyed reliving it! It was an awesome way to spend a morning ~ next year I think I’ll make it a day!
