Sherry Shrubb, right, helps Laurie Daniel prepare a winter sowing planter at the 2nd annual Seedy Saturday event in Waterford on Feb. 8.
By Chris Abbott
Editor
‘Wildly busy’ was a perfect description for the 2nd annual Seedy Saturday in Waterford on Feb. 8.
“I tried very hard to get as many local people as I possibly could,” said co-organizer Jen Thompson, a teacher at Waterford District High School, noting they had just over 50 vendors for the four-hour event, a huge increase from last year’s 10 vendors in the small gymnasium. “And super positive people.
“Go big or go home,” Thompson laughed, estimating about 600 or more people attended. “I am very pleased with how busy it is because when you’re planning something like this, it’s very hard to know how many people are going to come. You think you’ve said something about it (on social media) too many times, but you still get people who haven’t heard about it. So we tried really hard to get it on the radio and in the newspaper…”
“And lots of Facebook, Instagram, social media,” said co-organizer Heidi Mungal from Generations Marketplace.
“It’s creating community,” said Thompson, enjoying the Seedy Saturday atmosphere.
“The networking, the connections, the people…” nodded Mungal, “and just talking around the room.”
Thompson’s connections with Grand Erie District School Board helped them secure space at WDHS, which included four science rooms for a dozen live presentations, and a network of local families.
“And tons of amazing volunteers,” said Mungal.
“People actually travel around for Seedy Saturday events,” Thompson noted. “Having this many vendors is an added bonus. Heidi also incorporated this idea of homesteading, which opened it to weavers, fibre arts guilds, wool products…”
“And lots of presentations,” said Mungal.
“Last year, our main focus was the seed exchange – we had some really generous donations,” said Thompson. “This year, we had a massive seed exchange. When we started, the tables were full!”
“There’s going to be a lot of produce growing in people’s backyards,” Mungal smiled.
“We’re meeting everybody where they need to be, beginner gardeners to advanced, looking to make connections,” said Thompson. “Some of it is very niche, but the people who know, know. Some people are looking for very specific types of seeds, some are just looking to learn a little bit more about cucumbers, tomatoes and stuff.”
WINTER SOWING
Sherry Shrubb was offering native plant seeds at Seedy Saturday for winter sowing projects.
“Everyone chooses a plant that’s best suited for their site,” said Shrubb. “Shady, sandy… you want a plant that’s going to grow, so we choose the seeds together. We take a (plastic) container and fill it with soil, and make sure it’s nice and wet.
“The bigger the seed, the deeper it goes, and if they’re really tiny, you just sow them on the surface,” said Shrubb, explaining the process to Laurie Daniel from Waterford, who picked up a winter sowing planter with her husband Murray.
Once the seeds are placed in or on the soil, it’s watered and the plastic container is sealed with duct tape, leaving a hole (or holes) at the top for moisture.
“You want to put this outside in the snow in a northeast facing section of your area, protected maybe with some bricks around it so it doesn’t fall over, or in between some shrubs,” said Shrubb. “It has to let in snow and rain. When it gets warmer in the spring… let’s say 10 days or so of warmer weather, you can take the duct tape off and open it up, but… surround it with mesh so it’s protected. Keep it moist so it doesn’t dry out.”
When it gets leaves, it’s scooped out and planted.
“They need to stratify,” said Laurie, who would be winter sowing early everlasting flowers.
“Outside, nature does what nature does,” said Shrubb. “In order for the seed to grow, it has to go through the stratification period – freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw – then it actually grows.”
Impressed with the size and scope of the 2nd Annual Seedy Saturday, Laurie said “I am a gardener, so I am very surprised… I didn’t realize how many different organizations there are. So this is wonderful.”
“We’re local and I didn’t even know a lot of them existed,” nodded Murray Daniel. “It’s amazing.”
You can find Sherry Shrubb on Facebook for more information on winter sowing.
“I have a bunch of things going on, but I’m here today to represent the Pollinator Project,” said Shrubb, noting the project was started by Sarah Judd. “It’s all native plants to provide habitat for bees, butterflies, and pollinators in general. Like the Monarch needs the milkweed, every insect needs a specific plant and they are in decline right now. But if we all choose to plant native plants, or plants like hostas which are not invasive nor native, and provide habitat for bees and butterflies, they will be okay. We will all be okay. We need them, they need us - if we feed them, they’ll feed us.”
WATERFORD BINGO
The next community bingo at Waterford District High School is March 5. Doors open at 5 p.m., games start at 6 p.m. in the large gymnasium.
Community members are welcome! Must be 18-plus to play. All funds raised support student extracurricular activities at WDHS, 227 Main Street South, Waterford.
Bingo game booklets are $10 for 10. 50-50 tickets are also available. Shaw’s Ice Cream and popcorn will be available on site.
The final Waterford bingo for the 2024-25 season is May 28 – mark your calendars.
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