Get your spring on with Seedy Saturday expo in Newmarket

Grow your garden anywhere: indoors, outdoors, big, small with annual seeds expo March 2

Yorkregion.com
March 1, 2019
Amanda Persico

What’s growing, York Region?

Step into spring with the annual Seedy Saturday, where seeds, plants and flowers are the star.

The seven annual seed and plant show, hosted by the York Region Food Network is March 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall, 200 Doug Duncan Dr.

The seeds expo is the perfect place for home gardeners, green thumbs and gardening sprouts to check out the seed library and seed exchange.

There will also be hands on gardening resources and a plant inspired market space.

The show is for families, foodies and gardeners interested in seeing that’s growing on in their community.

With more than hundreds of Seedy Saturday’s taking place across the country, the first event started closed to 30 years ago by Seeds Diversity Canada. Tied to Valentine’s Day, as the seed is the heart of food and the base of food security.

This year’s theme is Grow Your Garden Anywhere, with seeds to trade, seeds for sale and friendly experts on hand to share their know-hows.

This year’s show includes innovative displays and ideas for both indoor and outdoor gardens of any size with gutter, palette and container gardens.

Not to mention there will also be a collection of expert speakers and make-in-take workshops.

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In keeping with the food network’s vision of Food for Health -- Food for All, this year’s expanded Seedy Saturday not only features seeds but also food and health for the whole family with free kids in the kitchen workshops designed for families and children’s activities.

For more information or to register for the make-and-take events, visit yrfn.ca

Seedy Saturday:

• March 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall, 200 Doug Duncan Dr.;

• The event includes hand-on children’s activities, speed library, seed exchange, workshops, speakers and vendors.

• Seedy Speakers Corner:

• Kids in the Kitchen family workshop, 10:10 to 10:40 a.m. and 1:15 to 1:45 p.m., drop-in session with Kate Greavette of the York Region Food Network;

• Simplicity of Sprouts, 11 a.m., with Cathy Nesbitt of Cathy’s Sprouters and Crawly Composters.

• Learn the practice of sprouting -- germinating seeds to be eaten either raw or cooked. Known as nature’s superfoods, sprouts are packed with vitamins, minerals and proteins;

• Weeds for a Healthy Garden and a Healthy You, 11:45 a.m. with Karen Stephenson of Edible Wild Food.

• Learn how to integrate wild food into your daily diet with author and certified master naturalist, Karen Stephenson;

• Fighting Factory Food: The Shift to Personal Produce, 12:30 p.m., with Duchan Batrovic of Seed Voyage.

• This new peer-to-peer service puts the haves and have-nots together by matching those wanting fresh veggies with nearby growers.

• Seedy make-and-take events:

• Succulent Planters, $25/person. 10:15 a.m. -- Brighten your winter with a beautiful succulent arrangement;

• Garden in any Space, $25/person, 11:30 a.m. -- Create a milk crate planter to take home;

• Art for the Garden, $15/person, 12:45 p.m. -- Upcycle new life and colour into your garden.