Whether you're considering starting a garden or have been plotting it out for months, there's something for all levels of skill and interest at the Community Food Connections Association's annual Seedy Saturday event.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Local gardeners of all levels of expertise are invited to take part in the Community Food Connection Association’s annual Seedy Saturday event, taking place Saturday from 1-3 p.m at the Root Cellar’s community garden.
“Seedy Saturday is an event we’ve been running in Medicine Hat since 2015,” city councillor and CFCA food security co-ordinator, Alison Van Dyke, told the News. “Every spring, gardeners get together and swap seeds. It’s often combined with information sessions or other kinds of gardening programming as well.”
This year’s Seedy Saturday event will include the seed swap, a cash-only plant sale and presentations by several Alberta gardening and landscaping experts. Attendees can also help plant the Root Cellar’s community garden, get their pruners sharpened by The Sharpener, or bring a pot and take part in an herb garden planting activity. There will also be a door prize.
“It’s just kind of a nice social event where people can have a visit and talk about their gardening plans for the year,” Van Dyke said.
Van Dyke believes the event is also a great starting point for new gardeners.
“Medicine Hat has a very specific kind of a climate,” she said. “We find a lot of times, even gardening books geared towards the prairies, the gardening advice in them does not really apply to Medicine Hat … So, the nice thing about an event like this – especially if you’re a new gardener – is you can ask advice of seasoned gardeners. We have to work around some pretty intense conditions here, so it’s really helpful to talk to people who have been gardening for a long time in this area and get their opinions on things and recommendations.”
While the event is free to attend, donations to the Root Cellar are encouraged. The Root Cellar community garden can be accessed from Fifth Street SE.
Van Dyke also invites gardeners to visit the CFCA’s permanent seed swap, located at the Medicine Hat Public Library.
