ERIN – Gardeners can kick off the season by stocking up on some seeds and other supplies at the upcoming Erin Seedy Saturday.
The annual event is taking place on March 9 from 10am to 3pm at the Erin United Church (115 Main St.).
This year’s vendors include:
– Arthur Greenhouse Seeds;
– The Saturday Seed Co.,
– Devine Dahlias;
– Cedar Valley Honey;
– Little Deer Drive Farm; and
– Town of Erin’s Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee with turtle crossing signs.
Gardening clubs
Members of both the Erin and Hillsburgh gardening clubs will be available to answer gardening questions and offer advice at the ‘Ask Me’ table.
There will also be tables where attendees can sign up for the two local gardening clubs. Memberships are $15 per year, said Seedy Saturday organizer and Erin seed librarian Jen Edwards, which she calls a “really good deal.”
The clubs both meet once a month, and each meeting includes a speaker or workshop.
The clubs also offer garden tours and dinners where members can get to know other gardeners and ask questions.
“You just learn so much stuff,” as a garden club member, Edwards said.
Attracting birds
Another Erin Seedy Saturday table will focus exclusively on gardening to attract birds, with Birha Farooqi sharing information.
This is a table that Edwards is particilarly excited for – “If you have the right plants that they need, birds will come!” she told the Advertiser.
Farooqi is very knowledgable, Edwards said, and she will also have a craft at the table.
Educational videos
There will be three educational video presentations throughout the day:
– Growing a Successful Seed Saving Garden from Seeds of Diversity at 12pm (44 minute video);
– Seed Saving Basics by Bob Wildfong of Seeds of Diversity at 1pm (17 minute video); and
– Food Production in Small Spaces by Shelley Shantz at 1:30pm (16 minute video).
There will also be a seed exchange table, free seeds from the Erin Seed Library, a used gardening book exchange and crafts for kids.
Edwards said the Erin Seed Library has lots of seeds in stock and she’s excited to get them out to as many people as she can, so they can start planting.
The second week of March is a fine time to start some seeds inside, Edwards said, including tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.
Edwards said she’s looking forward to another great turn out at the Seedy Saturday event, where attendees will “get some gardening inspiration happening.”
For more information, visit erinseedlendinglibrary.weebly.com.
