This year’s ‘Seedy Saturdays’ in Innisfil has gone virtual!
Every Saturday during the month of March, the Innisfil Seed Library will be hosting a series of live Zoom webinars with online family activities to encourage the community to get more inspired by ‘seeds’ and connect with other regional seed growers and sellers.
In partnership with the Innisfil IdeaLAB & Library, this is the Innisfil Seed Library’s 6th season running the program which provides residents with a variety of seeds they can grow at home, harvest them for spring, and return seeds to the library for future projects.
“Just like a library book, you can borrow seeds,” says Bridget Indelicato, founder and organizer of the Innisfil Seed Library.
Typical seeds provided to the public include tomatoes, cucumber, squash, beans, peas, lettuce, and herbs such as basil, parsley, and dill. Additional flower seeds are also available (to help attract pollinators) such as milkweed (essential for monarch butterflies), and hollyhocks. Due to COVID, the seeds are being mailed out and participants can register through the library’s website or via the Innisfil Seed Library’s website.
“We’re really encouraging new green thumbs,” expresses Indelicato, indicating that some people get ‘intimidated’ by gardening. “You don’t need to be an expert gardener. These events focus on teaching people how to get started as well as maintain those gardens.”
Online webinars will feature a panel of guests such as members of the Simcoe County Master Gardeners and Wild Birds Unlimited and will have Question & Answer periods during most presentations with an opportunity to learn more about mindful gardening, food security, and our environment.
“On March 27, we will have a live presentation from a panel of four master gardeners with a wide knowledge of gardening practices,” notes Indelicato. “Topics will include how to prepare your food garden – tilling the soil and what plants grow well together – and then open discussions related to gardening.”
On select dates, children and families will have an opportunity to participate in ‘storytimes’ where a craft will also be included (garden related). The Innisfil Library’s hackLAB will also be teaching kids how to make their own ‘bee hotel’.
“We make the seeds accessible to people, and being virtual, we will also have an online “marketplace” featuring seed companies that will be highlighted,” adds Indelicato.
Indelicato says that seeds are in ‘high demand’ right now and shares that a lot of companies are selling out or have put a hold on their websites to catch up with orders. The seed library is limited and wishes to focus on mailing out seeds to those in the local community on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis.
“It’s been amazing! People are really eager for this program,” shares Indelicato.
There are approximately 50 seed libraries within Ontario and hundreds across Canada operating under the same idea.
Indelicato has been growing seeds herself for years and first heard about the seed libraries in Toronto. When she approached the Innisfil Libraries (Lakeshore and Cookstown locations) about starting her own seed library six years ago, the idea was readily accepted.
Programs and workshops are for all ages with many activities geared towards children and families.
Please note that some programs require registration. More information can be found at www.innisfilseedlibrary.ca
