Welcome to the New Year 2012, the year of the dragon. Those born under this sign are regarded as innovative, passionate people who are colorful, confident and fearless. It seems like it could also be a good descriptor for gardeners.

Gardeners are currently scanning seed catalogues seeking new varieties; reading garden magazines trumpeting the latest gadgets; awaiting the Great Plant Picks latest announcement; admiring hellebore buds peaking from under their leaves; heralding the witch hazel’s visual spectacle and scent all in one specimen; finding raindrops on snowdrops; preparing for another season of wonderful smells and visual wonderment; and celebrating the signals of Mother Nature showcasing the best of her best.

Everything is new again! What are some of the activities where gardeners can participate and look out for when celebrating: what’s new?

There are so many Seedy Saturdays in BC, it is quite amazing!  These are held throughout February and into early March in over 20 communities around the province: several in the Great Vancouver Regional District - Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver, Ladner, Surrey, Mission; Vancouver Island - Victoria, Salt Spring Island, Qualicum, Sooke, Courtenay, Nanaimo, Cobble Hill, Duncan; and the Interior of BC - Kamloops, Enderby, Kelowna, Fernie; as well as others in Powell River and Lillooet. 

What happens at Seedy Saturday? They are seed-focused with an emphasis on supporting urban agriculture and diversity.  Seed exchanges; educational talks about seeds and local resources in their growing community and movement towards greater food sustainability; identifying heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables and documenting the heritage and stories behind the old varieties ; developing local agriculture seed banks and sharing with other communities; designing small scale equipment for food production that can be non-fuel dependent;  fostering the interrelationship between plants, growing conditions, people and pollinators: learning how to conserve and expand bio-diversity in the simple pleasures of gardening.  In addition to exhibitors and seed-sellers, Seedy Saturdays always include informative workshops and presentations.  A number of these Seedy Saturdays are supported by local, expert Master Gardeners.

Check out the Seedy Saturday in your community!  Many are by donation; a few have a small admission fee to support the organizing association.  The information you gather and the choice of seed diversity is amazing!

Maybe this year, you can look forward to a new beginning with whatever your garden promises to reward you with. There is always a surprise!

Happy gardening to all of you, from all of us ……… and don’t forget to click on GROWING!

Jan Hemming, President, MGABC