SO MUCH FUN

"The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me spiritual exercises."  by Leo F. Buscaglia

Yesterday was Powell River's fifth Seedy Saturday.  My first...and I liken it to 'a kid in a candy store.'  Once inside, we quickly figured out our strategy...Barry started on the far side (the end of the alphabet) of the seed table and I started at the beginning.  Once our initial scramble was over and sanity prevailed, we started examining the displays around the perimeter of the room.  The first to capture our attention was the Seed Savers of Powell River.  The Project has developed a list of veggies suitable to this region for seed saving and the group has chosen several varieties of seed from the main groups (squashes, beans, peas, beets/chard) to be produced locally for seed.  They encourage new and experienced gardeners to save seeds, thus increasing the number of contributors of seed to future Seedy Saturdays.  Sounds like a good plan...we signed up to grow Andy's Broad Beans and Odawa Beans for the Project.  Fava (or broad) beans are a cooler weather crop so we will try to get those seeded outside later in the week, when the meteorologist has predicted the return of drier, sunny weather (I do not consider the weather for the last week as gardening weather - more like arthritis weather).  As cross pollination can take place between the different cultivars of fava beans, we will be growing only the one type and all seed will be saved for the Project (and maybe a couple for us too).  Each of the Odawa Beans is a beautiful masterpiece of creamy white and earthtones.  I hope they taste as good as they look!  After this growing season, we will have quite a variety of colourful dried beans.  In late December we purchased the Heritage Bean Mix from Salt Spring Seeds, which included Six Nations (red and tan), Nez Perce (golden yellow), Red Hawk Kidney, Black Turtle Soup, Ruckle (white), and Tanya Pink Pod (cream and tan).  In addition to those, we could not resist the Neabel's Pole Bean, Jade Bean, Ireland Creek Annie, and Orca Bean at Seedy Saturday.  In fact, I think we may have gone a little crazy on the beans this year.  Now I recall how Vanessa had reined herself in on getting any more bean varieties...I really admire her will power.  Oh, well, we have a lot more garden space to fill, right?!

Oh yeah, back to Seedy Saturday...We also spoke to a very pleasant young woman, who was at Seedy Saturday on behave of the Vancouver Island University Powell River.  An interesting course, entitled Small Farm Development, is being offered through the University on Thursday, November 18th and Friday, November 19th, 2010.  Topics include goal setting, production, marketing, financial planning, rules and regulations that affect farmers, enviromental issues and concerns and trends that will affect farmers in the future.  Apparently many people took advantage of the course in 2009, so early registration was advised.   

We also spoke with Don Boese about starting our own hive of mason bees.  Our neighbour, Tony, enjoys working with his mason bees and we have been fortunate that his bees find our garden to their liking too.  With help from these two well-informed gentlemen, I think we should be able to offer up our garden as home to these hard working little creatures.  (I nominate Barry for this job.) 

Further along, a kind lady offered me some gently used gardening pots, trays, etc., kindly donated by other gardeners.  As I was starting to realize just how many seedlings I had started indoors, I gladly took a few items.  We stopped at the Powell River Gardening Club's table long enough to offer our assistance in the upcoming plant sale in early May.   I am hoping the plant sale is as much fun as Seedy Saturday.  As we were leaving Seedy Saturday, we stopped to enter the Self Advocates 14th Annual Spring Garden Raffle.  Boy, what loot and for such a good cause!!  The Draw will be made on May 28th at Rona Building Supplies and I would love to win all those great goodies.  Cross your fingers for me (you know I can't).  Well, that's it for today.  Bring on the sun!!!

PS:  Also enjoyed talking to the folks from the Kelly Creek Community Gardens (they are formerly from Langley too)