It’s almost time for Erin Seedy Saturday

ERIN – The days may still be cold and the soil covered in snow, but seed-starting time is already here for avid  local gardeners.

Seed librarian Jen Edwards said its a good time to start peppers, onions and sunflowers inside, and “by mid March you can start anything that needs a head start,” inside, including  tomatoes.

Edwards is most excited to grow tomatoes from seed, as there are more seed varieties available than plants in nurseries.

Before long, some seeds will be ready to be sown directly into the soil, Edwards said, such as peas: “You can plant those as soon as you can turn the dirt at all – they don’t care about the frost.” 

By April, the soil will be warm enough for lettuce and brassica seeds such as cauliflower and broccoli, she said. 

“And then your perennials will come up on their own, because they don’t mind the frost,” she said.  

Edwards recommends planting flowers such as marigolds in vegetable gardens, as they attract pollinators. Plus, marigolds help keep pests away, she added.  

Anyone looking to diversify their seed collection or learn more about gardening can attend Erin Seedy Saturday on March 7 at Erin United Church.

Edwards said she always looks forward to the annual event because it’s a great social meet-up before everyone is busy in their gardens.

After hunkering down inside all winter, Seedy Saturday is a good time to talk about your garden plans and learn from neighbours  about what has and hasn’t worked for them, Edwards said.  

A feature-length documentary Before the Plate will be screened at 11:30am, compliments of the Erin Seed Library. 

The movie is about a chef from Toronto who created a recipe with 10 local ingredients and then went back to the source for each of those ingredients, Edwards said. 

And at 1:30pm there will be a pollinator gardening presentation by master gardener Judy Brisson. 

Vendors this year will include Swiss Bell’s Dahlias,  Cedar Valley Honey, Little Deer Drive Farm, the town’s environment and sustainability advisory committee (with turtle crossing signs), the Hilsburgh and Erin Garden Clubs, Chawin’s Workshop Signs, Seeds of Diversity and the Peony Society.

Representatives from Credit Valley Conservation will be at the event this year, which is new, Edwards told the Advertiser, as the event wasn’t previously big enough for the conservation authority to attend. 

There will also be an “ask me” table (attendees can get gardening advice), a used gardening book exchange, a kids seed craft, a balloon artist, information about gardening to attract birds and a bake sale. 

All exchange tables will accept cash donations for attendees without anything to trade. 

The event will be more accessible than usual, Edwards said, as the elevator will be available for use. 

For more information visit erinseedlibrary.weebly.com or contact jenedwardss@sympatico.ca.