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Seedy Saturday

Seedy Saturday - March 2023

Celebrate the kick off of Seedy Saturday at Five Points Theatre on Thursday, March 2, 6:00-9:00pm with a presentation on Low Impact, High Output Gardening with Frankie Flowers - with Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery. Purchase tickets for $12 each.

Join us in-person Saturday, March 4, 10am-2pm at the Downtown Library to learn about pollinators and ask the garden experts your questions or by connecting with a local expert at our Gardening Expo.

Watch virtual presentations Saturday, March 25, 10am-2:30pm to learn about pollinator friendly gardening, regenerative agriculture and how to plant the 'three sisters'.

 

What is Seedy Saturday?

What is Seedy Saturday (and Sundays)? 

"Seedy Saturdays are a remarkable phenomenon. They are not one event, but a series of separate events, which have sprung up across the country, each individually and uniquely organized under the same general themes of encouraging the use of open-pollinated and heritage seeds, enabling a local seed exchange, and educating the public about seed saving and environmentally responsible gardening practices. They usually occur on a Saturday, hence the name, but also occur on Sundays and other days." Source: Seeds of Diversity Canada .

Learn more about Seedy Saturdays on the Seeds of Diversity webpage 'Everything you wanted to know about Seedy Saturdays'.

  • Seeds of Diversity Canada is a group of seed savers from coast to coast who protect Canada's seed biodiversity by growing it themselves and sharing it with others. Find out how you can support seed saving and local distribution. On their website you will find seed saving resources and a list of Canadian Seedy Saturday events. Using their website, find ways to source local and Canadian seeds from area greenhouses or local vendors or use their online reference guide, the Canadian Seed Catalogue Index or find the best locally adapted seeds in your region with The Ecological Seed Finder.

Featured Speakers in March

Keynote Speakers

March 2 - Frankie Flowers - Five Points Theatre*

Come and learn how low impact strategies, that are easy on the environment, your body and your budget can create amazing, high output gardens that are interesting, attract wildlife and bring you joy!

Arrive early for your chance to meet Frankie and mingle with local garden and environmental groups too. Doors open at 6 pm and Frankie will take the stage at 7pm.

Register for your chance to see Frankie Flowers live and in person!

Tickets are $12.00. To register and for more information, visit our events calendar 

*Registration is required 

March 4 - Seedy Saturday at our Downtown Library

Drop-in and join us for Seedy Saturday on March 4th!  Talk to local garden experts and seed companies for tips on how to get your garden growing. 

The day will also feature amazing speakers from 11-2 pm in our Gathering Place location at the Downtown Library.  Be sure to come by to learn more from expert gardeners about pollinators and how to build a better garden. 

Keynote Speakers:

11:00 am - 12:00 pm “The importance of Pollinators” with Gwen Petreman
12:00 - 12:30 pm “Lightning Talks” with exhibitors from our Garden Expo
12:30 - 1:00 pm “Organic Seeds” with Bob Wildfong. This is a pre-recorded seminar from Seeds of Diversity's Seedy Saturday Speaker Series
1:00 -  2:00 pm “Secrets to a Better Garden” with Simcoe County Master Gardener Joan Nieman-Agapas

About our speakers:

Gwen Petreman is a retired primary and Special Education teacher living in Barrie, on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg people. Gwen is actively involved in protecting and enhancing our green spaces with native tree and flowers. She has affiliated with the Barrie Garden Club, the Arboretum Committee, and Living Green. As a member of the Board of Directors for Nature Barrie, Gwen is responsible for Community Outreach and Education and is also an active member of the Barrie Bird Team. Gwen has also written and illustrated many children’s stories, 17 of which have been published. For more information, visit envirogoodtoknow.blogspot.com.

Bob Wildfong has been saving seeds and teaching seed saving techniques to gardeners and farmers for over 30 years. As the executive director of Seeds of Diversity, he helps seed savers across the country rescue and preserve thousands of rare heritage varieties of vegetables, grains, flowers, and herbs. He is also the horticultural specialist at the Doon Heritage Village museum, where he restores and interprets period gardens of the turn of the last century.

Joan Neiman-Agapas is a member of the Simcoe County Master Gardeners. Her interest in gardening started in 1986 when her backyard presented many challenges include a slope, a very old huge oak tree, lots of shade and masses of acorns. Joan enjoys sharing information and knowledge with both new and experienced gardeners. As a Master Gardener (MG), Joan has studied horticulture extensively and continues to upgrade her skills through technical training. Simcoe County Master Gardeners (SCMG) serve the following communities: Blue Mountain, Collingwood, Stayner, Creemore, Wasaga Beach, Elmvale, Midland, Washago, Orillia, Barrie, Innisfil, Alliston, Bradford, Tottenham and all points in between. For more information, visit https://simcoecountymg.ca

March 25 - Virtual Seedy Saturday Online

Register to join us virtually for Seedy Saturday on March 25th!  Hear from three local experts about eco-friendly local gardening and farming techniques.

Keynote Speakers:

10:00 am - 11:00 am “Pollinator Friendly Gardening*” (pre-recorded) with Bob Wildfong from Seeds of Diversity's Seedy Saturday Speaker Series. Register
11:00 - 12:00 pm “Regenerative Agriculture*” (pre-recorded) with Paul Hrycyk from Seeds of Diversity's Seedy Saturday Speaker Series. Register
1:00 - 2:30 pm “Planting "Three Sisters*" with Theo Wiederker from Carrick Seeds. Register
 *Registration is required 

Garden Expo & Activities for All Ages - March 4

Celebrate and support our vibrant community of environmentally minded organizations, non-profit agencies and businesses.

Activities

Time Activity Description Location
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Terrarium Love Make a mini terrarium Main Floor
10:00 am - 10:30 am Saturday Storytime Join us for a garden themed storytime Second Floor Kids
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Seed Craft Plant a seed to take home Second Floor Kids

Exhibitors

Time Exhibitor Exhibitor Description
10:00 am - 2:00 pm BPL Seed Library Community Seed & Apothecary Table Bring seed to donate and/or package 3 seed packets to take home at this self-serve station
10:00 am - 2:00 pm BPL Community Seed & Sow Drop-in Group
 Meet fellow gardeners (new or experienced!) to share gardening tips around our community table while packaging seeds for the BPL Seed Library together while we chat
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Edible Wild Food* Meet with this community partner to learn about their business
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Huronia Rose Society*
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Living Green Barrie Information table only
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Painswick Horticultural Society Meet with these community partners to learn about their businesses
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Pollinate Barrie*
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Urban Pantry
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Wild Birds Unlimited*
 *Participating in a lightning talk on the Main Stage between 12:00 - 12:30 pm.

Resources

Gardening

Seeds

  • "Borrow" seeds and get your garden growing with the BPL Seed Library located at all library locations in early spring through early fall annually. Also find tips about beginner seeding and reference our seed specific planting guide.

Pollinators

  • BPL's Gardening Buzz programs. These programs are offered year-round during gardening and harvesting seasons outside of Seedy Saturday in March. Learn about upcoming programs in our Events Calendar.

Explore Nature

Bee City

The City of Barrie is proud to be a member of Bee City! A bee city is a designation that connects people, places and pollinators. Barrie has been working with residents and community partners to enhance naturalization and pollinator opportunities for the past two decades. Implementation of the Pesticide Reduction Policy in 2003 and the Council adoption of a Naturalization Policy for all city lands in 2007 were our first steps towards a pollinator healthy community.

Discover pollinator initiatives and how to make your yard more friendly for bees and pollinators by visiting the City of Barrie website.

Seed Library

"Borrow" seeds and get your garden growing with the BPL Seed Library located at all library locations.