Sower of seeds
Gardeners trade seeds and share tips on preservation
Despite the frigid weather outside, a group of gardeners flocked to Summerside Rotary Library recently to trade seeds and share tips on their protection and preservation.
The event co-ordinator, Tina Davies, who promotes the growth of organic farming with her business Emmerdale Eden Farm, said it’s important to keep good isolation when planting rare seeds. “There are number of small organic farmers on the Island and we wanted to start saving seeds that are important to us and that we can grow each year and trade them back and forth.”
Davies added, “You have to be sure when you are growing a variety of plants that you have a good isolation distance so there is no crossing.”
The seed swap supports food crop heritage for future generations by collecting, growing, and sharing heirloom seeds. “We thought we would offer these seeds to other growers, so we have them in packets from the P.E.I. Seed Alliance, which are small growers helping to save open-pollinated mostly heirloom seeds for future generations, and HOPE seeds for sale,” said Davies. Breaking into gardening is easier than most think, and Davies encouraged others at the event to begin planting their own gardens.
A short documentary called “The Sower” was aired before the seed exchange, featuring Patrice Fortier, a Quebecois artist and organic farmer. He devoted his life to producing seeds of herbs and vegetables, and makes paintings with carrots, wigs with flowers, and fairies with potatoes.
“It really does grow on you over the years,” smiled Susan Arsenault, who came in search of new seeds to plant in late spring.
The seeds for sale included beans, peas, radish, onions, flowers, squash and more. They are available at the Summerside Farmers Market from Emmerdale Eden farm.