The local Seedy Saturday and Garden Expo is back this year with some changes.
The Ladner Community Garden has partnered with the Corporation of Delta to present the now two-day event and the Harris Barn in Ladner will serve as its new location.
“It’s beautiful inside,” says Kristin Crouch, president of the Ladner Community Garden Society.
The local event, now in its fourth year, is scheduled to take place next weekend and will feature a seed swap, guest speakers and garden vendors.
“There’s a real mix. It’s not just all seeds,” says Crouch.
Guest speakers include Brian Minter and Thomas Hobbs.
Minter, who will also bring plants from his garden centre to sell, is set to talk about food gardening, says Crouch.
“That’s where the trend is going,” she says.
Hobbs owns Southlands Nursery in Vancouver and has written numerous garden books, including Shocking Beauty and The Jewel Box Garden. He also appears on Global TV for gardening segments.
There is a wait list for vendors, says Crouch, noting some are coming from as far away as Kamloops and Comox this year.
Plants, garden tools and plant watering systems are some examples of what will be for sale, she says.
Crouch says the seed swap was very busy at last year’s event. It’s encouraged that open pollinated seeds be brought.
The event is a fundraiser for the Ladner Community Garden. Currently it funds a children’s program at the garden and the hope is in the future it will raise enough for the garden society to offer a bursary to someone going into agriculture or horticulture.
The Lions Club will have its Community Kitchen on site and there will be a vegan food truck as well.
A garden tool sharpener will be at the event too.
Seedy Saturday and Garden Expo is set for Saturday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harris Barn, 4140 Arthur Dr., Ladner. Admission is by donation.
For more information visit www.ladnercommunitygarden.blogspot.com.
Sponsors include Vancity, West Coast Seeds, Windset Farms and the Corporation of Delta.
Guest speaker schedule:
Saturday
• 10 a.m.: Brian Minter – The Secrets of Success with Food Gardening
• 11:30 a.m.: Robyn Leake – Containers with Style
• 12:30 p.m.: Darlene Tanaka – Canning for Beginners
• 1:30 p.m.: Thomas Hobbs – From Hollywood to Green Acres
Sunday
• 10 a.m.: Kim Greenwood – Growing Vegetables in Containers
• 11:30 a.m.: Botanus – Create a Summer Bulb Spectacular
• 12:30 p.m.: Kim Greenwood – Gardening with Children
• 2 p.m.: Don Bruchet – Seed Starting 101
