Stocking the seed bank: summer isn’t that far away

Back by popular demand, and it has become exceedingly popular, is Seedy Saturday, not only locally but across the country. Between now and spring, no one is far from such an event.

Kitchener-Waterloo’s takes place next Saturday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Kitchener Public Library on Queen Street North. To find other locations, see https://www.seeds.ca/events.

The local event is a joint initiative of the Kitchener Horticultural Society, Kitchener Master Gardeners, and the Kitchener Public Library. It’s where you can buy, sell or swap seeds and find rare, unusual and heirloom vegetable seeds from small-scale producers, many of which grow and produce their own seed.

There are countless companies marketing seed, but it’s not always clear where it actually originates. Seed is produced worldwide, and like any other product, it follows the same process from production, to wholesale, to retail. There’s much to be said for buying local, and Seedy Saturday provides that opportunity.

Besides seed, there will be plants and tools to buy, and Master Gardeners will be on hand to provide advice. No fruit on the tomatoes, bugs eating everything in sight, ailing kale? They can help, even offer tips on how to limit your zucchini harvest.

Don’t have a garden? Folks from community gardens will be there, along with displays from other local groups, including horticultural societies. Did you know members typically receive discounts at garden centres?

As seedy as the event is — and there’s no charge to attend — it’s also geared to education with seven seminars featuring speakers on a range of topics, and they’re not all about seed. Patrick Gilbride of REEP Green Solutions will speak on trees in the city. Trouble with your hydrangeas not blooming? Master Gardener Karen Sciuk has that covered. She’ll explain all about the different varieties and how and when to prune them.

If herb growing interests you, listen to Master Gardener Cathy Kavassalis. Her talk is titled “Herbs — from the savoury to the sensual ... to deadly poison.”

One of the biggest trends is houseplants. It’s not surprising, with cities growing up more than out. There are apartment and condo dwellers without gardens who still yearn to grow plants. Houseplants are the answer as they contribute so much to health and well-being.

If you’d like to contribute to the health and well-being of your plants, then take in “Houseplants: our constant garden” with Tena Van Andel, Master Gardener. (Masters are certified horticultural experts who provide gardening information to the public on a volunteer basis.)

For a full speaker schedule and further details, see gardenKitchener’s website: www.kitchenerhs.ca/cms/.

If that isn’t enough to satisfy your green needs, on Sunday, Feb. 24 from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. is Guelph Wellington Master Gardeners’ A Day in the Garden. It takes place at the Victoria Park East Golf Club, 1096 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph. The theme: The Soul of the Garden — Native Plants.

Besides lunch, door prizes and demonstrations, you’ll hear three knowledgeable speakers who’ll provide you with inspiration for the garden season ahead.

Landscape architect Lisa Mactaggart will help you create a high-performance landscape, Kevin Kavanagh of South Coast Gardens will be speaking on the evolving garden, and Paul Laporte of Ephemeral Ark Nursery will offer advice on building diversity with native plants.

Tickets are $55 in advance, $60 at the door. Register online at Eventbrite, by phone at 519-8244120, ext. 56714, email guelph@hotmail.com, or download and mail the registration form at www.gwmastergardeners.ca.

And there’s more fun, shopping and learning opportunities coming up at the ever-popular Stratford Garden Festival Show running March 1 to 4.

Later in the month — on Saturday, March 16 — is Wilmot Horticultural Society’s Garden Explosion. For more information, contact Judy Hahn-Yutzi at 519-6622006, email judyhahn@rogers.com or wilmothortsociety@gmail.com, or visit gardenontario.org/ site.php/ wilmot/joinus/.

Any or all those events should help you coast through the last of winter and, when spring arrives, you’ll be raring to go.

•••

To chat with local gardeners, share tips, pics, or swap seeds, see Grand Gardeners on Facebook.

David Hobson gardens in Waterloo and is happy to answer garden questions, preferably by email: garden@gto.net. Reach him by mail c/o In the Garden, The Record, 160 King St. E., Kitchener, Ont., N2G 4E5