Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday

by Linda Todsen, Todsen Design and Construction

Seedy Saturday was held at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre on February 5, and it was the first time that I had the opportunity to attend the very popular event, now in its 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!

Qualicum Beach Civic Centre



It was challenging to take photos both physically and mentally, it was so crowded that I had to be 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! This selection of pictures is only a small slice of the booths that were there.





Main Entrance to Seedy Saturday

 

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 ~ a perfect start for the new garden season!



 






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!


Clockwise: Milner Garden's Roots and Shoots
Program for Children
Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society (MARS)
Milner Gardens and Woodland,
Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Assoc.




Of course, the predominant appeal 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.







As well as the Community Seed Swap, scattered throughout the main hall were a variety of 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...


Clockwise from left: Brother Nature Seeds, Twining Vine's Tomato Seeds,
USC Canada Seeds of Survival

Many vendors participated but once again I could only capture a few by patiently waiting for a lull in the huge crowd to capture the photo-op! Here is a sampling:

Clockwise from top left: The Bonsai Studio, Sloping Hill Farm,
Oceanside Edibles Garden Services, Alba Plants

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 and frozen fish, and the “Seedy Cafe” where you could take a coffee break or have a delicious lunch.




Canada Seeds of Survial - USC

 

On a final note, this shot summed it up for me, this event is about the seeds that 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 agriculture companies determine which small selection of fruits and vegetables should be available to us.

 

Qualicum Beach’s Seedy Saturday has its own website and you can find them at http://www.qbseedysaturday.com/.

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!

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Many thanks to Linda Todsen of Todsen Design and Construction
for providing her Seedy Saturday wrap-up.