Seedy Saturday
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seeds of diversity logo!
In support of Seeds of Diversity
(from Seeds of Diversity Canada at www.seeds.ca) Seedy Saturday is not one event, but a series of independant local events, which have sprung up across the country in the past twelve years. Seedy Saturdays are public events, for the betterment of the local gardening community, often organized and operated by volunteers. They 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.

The event began in 1989 in Vancouver and has spread across Canada, giving people a chance to come together to learn more about seed saving and biodiversity conservation. These local seed swaps are a great place to meet people who share an interest in heritage seeds.

You can find help for your garden, swap your favourite seeds with other gardeners, and buy open-pollinated heritage seeds and plants which have not been genetically engineered, and which have been selected over many generations to grow well in your local conditions.

These events are locally organized and run, and many of them are co-sponsored by Seeds of Diversity Canada, a non-profit group of gardeners and farmers whose goal is to keep the best plants that generations of gardeners have treasured.

What's a Seed Swap?

Basically, a seed swap is a place to donate your extra seeds and pick up seeds that others have donated. Imagine a table, with dozens of packets of seeds on it. That's about it.

Gardeners are invited to bring their seeds— hand-collected, open-pollenated, heirloom, or commercial "leftovers"— to Seedy Saturday. There will be a trading table for you to leave and take seeds.

If you don't have seeds to trade, you may take a few packages and "pay" with a donation to Seeds of Diversity.

* Visit the Seeds of Diversity web site to learn more about heritage seed saving.

Trading Etiquette

Links for gardening activists

Society for Organic Urban Landcare (SOUL)
Cityfarmer.org
FoodShare.ca
Reclaimthecommons.net
Guerrilla Gardening