Skip to content

Exchange seeds, swap gardening tips at Seedy Saturday

Gardeners are invited to visit the Historic Stewart Farm’s 11th annual Seedy Saturday
40795cloverdalewSeedySaturday-BJ-Apr10
Seedy Saturday at the Historic Stewart Farm.

Gardeners are invited to visit the Historic Stewart Farm’s 11th annual Seedy Saturday on Saturday, April 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This gardener’s delight features the opportunity to exchange seeds with other seed savers and purchase organic heirloom seeds, plants, mushroom kits, a variety of fruit trees, berry bushes and blue orchard bee supplies. Learn more about heritage and endangered plant cultivars, and environmental gardening issues at the Seeds of Diversity booth. Bring your gardening questions to the Master Gardeners.

Two special films will be shown in the Stewart Hall. At 11 a.m. The Edible Schoolyard will inspire viewers to learn where food comes from, about soil, planting seeds and harvesting their own organically grown fruit and vegetables. Showing at 2 p.m. is Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?, a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis. It will take viewers on a journey through the mysterious world of the beehive and interviews with beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world who reveal both the problems and solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.

The farm's heirloom gardens will be bursting with spring blossoms. Enjoy the park and take a tour of the Victorian farmhouse, sample baked goods from the wood burning stove, and make seedy crafts with your kids.

Seedy Saturday is not one event, but a series of independent local public events which have sprung up across Canada. The event began in 1989 in Vancouver, and gives people a chance to come together to learn more about seed saving and biodiversity conservation. Seedy Saturdays bring together home gardeners, seed savers, native plant collectors, agriculture conservation groups, and community gardeners as well as local seed companies that sell open-pollinated varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, grains and herbs. For more information on Seedy Saturdays across Canada, go to www.seedysaturday.ca

The Historic Stewart Farm is located in Elgin Heritage Park and is home to a charming restored 1894 farmhouse, barn and outbuildings. The farm has kitchen, flower, herb and native gardens containing many rare varieties of heritage flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees. It is located at 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Entrance is by donation. For more information, call 604-592-6956 or go to www.surrey.ca/heritage.

Follow the Cloverdale Reporter on Twitter and Facebook. View our print edition online.