Saturday, March 4th, will be all about seeds ... at the Barrie Public Library.
The library is celebrating Seedy Saturday - a day to learn about pollinators, ask garden experts questions, and connect with local experts.
Per Seeds of Diversity Canada, Seedy Saturday is about "encouraging the use of open-pollinated and heritage seeds, enabling a local seed exchange, and educating the public about seed saving and environmentally responsible gardening practices."
Activities and speakers are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the downtown branch.
Activities for All Ages
- 10:00 - 10:30 am - Seedy Saturday Storytime, Kids floor
- 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - Kids seed craft, Kids floor
- 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - Terrarium Love, Main floor
Keynote and Featured Speakers
- 11:00 am - "The Importance of Pollinators" with Gwen Petreman
- 12:00 pm - "Lightning Talks" with exhibitors from our Garden Expo
- 12:30 - 1:00 pm - "Online Seeds" an online pre-recorded seminar from Seeds of Diversity's Seedy Saturday Speaker Series
- 1:00 pm - "Secrets to a Better Garden" with Joan Nieman-Agapas from Simcoe County Master Gardeners
Garden Expo
- 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - Exhibitors: Edible Wild Food*, Huronia Rose Society*, Living Green Barrie, Painswick Horticultural Society, Pollinate Barrie*, Urban Pantry, Wild Birds Unlimited*
- 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - BPL Seed Library Community Seed & Apothecary Table: Bring seed to donate and/or package 3 seed packets to take home at this self-serve station
- 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - BPL Community Seed & Sow Drop-in Group: Meet fellow gardeners (new or experienced) to share gardening tips around our community table while packaging seeds for the BPL Seed Library together while we chat
- *PARTICIPATING IN A LIGHTNING TALK ON THE MAIN STAGE BETWEEN 12:00 - 12:30 PM.
2023 Seed Library Launches
As well on Saturday, the library will be launching its 2023 Seed Library where residents can visit any library branch to pick up free seeds and gardening resources.
Chantale Boileau, program and outreach librarian at the Barrie library, told Barrie 360 that residents can "borrow" up to three packets of seeds at a time.
"We definitely welcome people planting their seeds and then harvesting some and donating them back as well."
She says since all their seeds are donated, supplies may be limited and will be continuously refreshed.
If you want to order seeds for Express Pick-Up, call 705-728-1010, or send a message to Ask Us.
Click the following links for more information about Seedy Saturday and the 2023 Seed Library.
Banner image via the Barrie Public Library
