7 Super Facts about Seedy Saturday

Posted on March 12, 2016

You may have heard about Seedy Saturday before, but you might not know just how super this day really is. Here are 7 facts to expand your seedy knowledge:

1. It’s global: Seedy Saturday, or Seedy Sunday in some areas, is an event that takes place in many communities all around the world. In 2015 there were more than 100 events held in Canada alone.

2, It started in Canada: The first Seedy Saturday was held in 1990, around Valentine's Day, because seed is the heart of food security for all communities. It was held at the VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver.

3. It’s for a good cause: Seedy Saturday isn’t just about gathering seeds for the gardening season. It’s also about keeping the irreplaceable genetic diversity that growing from seed to seed offers. You will find open-pollinated, non-hybridized, non-GMO seeds. These seeds are an alternative to the hybrid varieties offered by large commercial seed companies.

4. It’s local: Open-pollinated seeds keep the regionally adapted collections that developed in Alberta’s prairie climate going strong. Albertan born and raised seeds increase the resiliency and diversity of our native ecosystems.

5. They’re tastier: Well the vegetables that grow from them are! Open pollinated seeds produce high quality heirloom vegetables.

6. It only gets better: Each season, when you use the seeds from the descendants of your Seedy Saturday seeds, you’ll grow ever healthier plants. Growing from seed to seed allows each generation of plant to better adapt to their unique environment.

7. There’s more than just seeds: Seedy Saturday has much more than seeds! You’ll find conservation groups, community gardeners, organic growers, a kids corner and other community organizations (like us!)

If we’ve convinced you how super Seedy Saturday is we look forward to seeing you at the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre (1320 5th Ave NW) on Saturday, March 19th from 10am-3pm. Cost of admission is $2. Make sure to stop by the Green Calgary booth and say hi!