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Seedy Saturday - Helping things to grow, one tiny seed at a time!

Master gardeners press release(Vancouver, BC) — Albert Einstein once said “keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow … perhaps it all will.” Such is the optimism that resides in the heart of every gardener. Whether you are a home-owner with a yard and perennial border, an apartment dweller with a balcony box or two or an urban farmer growing edibles for yourself and others; every garden, no matter the size and scope, starts with the planting of seed in the belief that it will grow. Starting with the right seed can help ensure that the garden is a healthy and bounteous one.

For more than 20 years, Seedy Saturday – a celebration of heirloom varieties, organic gardening and sustainable urban agriculture – has been helping gardeners get off to a good start. This year’s event is no exception. Always held on the last Saturday in February in the Floral Hall at VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak St, Vancouver), the event runs this year on Saturday, February 27th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Produced by the Master Gardeners’ Association of BC, Seedy Saturday showcases more than 30 exhibitors with an emphasis on supporting urban agriculture - including seed sales by growers of organically produced (untreated, open-pollinated and non-GMO) heirloom and heritage varieties. Urban agriculture is the rapidly ‘growing movement’ towards greater food sustainability and safety within the urban setting. Beyond the Victory Gardens, Potager Gardens or Kitchen Gardens of the past, urban agriculture embraces more than growing a few vegetables. It includes all aspects of creating an environment which fosters the interrelationship between plants, growing conditions, people and pollinators. Events such as Seedy Saturday are an important way of connecting ordinary people to ways in which they can help to conserve and expand bio-diversity by engaging in the simple pleasures of gardening.

In addition to exhibitors and seed-sellers, Seedy Saturday always includes informative workshops and presentations. This year’s line-up features three expert Master Gardeners.

At 11 a.m. Mike Nassichuk will talk about Growing Vegetables in Cramped Spaces. This session will particularly appeal to those who want to learn about growing great vegetables in containers and other small spaces. It’s ideal for apartment dwellers or gardeners with small allotments. At 1 p.m. Robin Rance talks about Soils: How to develop and Maintain Fertile Garden Soil. At 2 p.m. Certified Bee Master Brian Campbell presents Backyard Bee Conservation in which he offers tips and suggestions on how to garden for ecological abundance. Brian is also a popular instructor of bee-related courses at VanDusen. If you are interested in learning more about bees, check out the course listings in VanDusen’s course catalogue available at the Education Department booth.

In addition to seeds, you can also obtain food-related plant materials such as fruit trees and shrubs suitable for urban environments (Derry’s Orchard, Urban Fruitery), gourmet mushroom-growing kits (Western Biologicals) and seed potatoes (Full Circle Seeds). There are informational booths and displays by organizations such as Master Gardeners’ Association of BC, Seeds of Diversity, VanDusen Seed Collectors, FarmFolk/City Folk, Environmental Youth Alliance and City Farmer. Sunpod Greenhouses are back with their popular small portable greenhouses and garden covers designed for small urban spaces and the Children’s Corner is just the place to inspire wee gardeners. After all, you’re never too young to start something from seed!

For more information on: Heritage seed and the importance of saving seed, Seeds of Diversity; Master Gardeners’ Association of BC; VanDusen Botanical Garden, its collections and many events.

VanDusen Botanical Garden - connecting plants and people.

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