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Seeds Sell by the Seashore

Seed lovers met at the Port McNeill Lions Hall March 29.

Seeds met growers at the Port McNeill Lions Hall on March 29.

The second annual seed exchange event, called Seedy Saturday, is a great opportunity to support local gardeners who want to grow their own produce.

Organizer Leslie Dyck said nearly 100 gardeners, almost four times as many as last year, attended Seedy Saturday - a sign that this type of event is needed in the commu- nity.

Dyck said there was no lack of opportuni- ty for people to pick themselves up some seeds if they needed them.

Seedy Saturday was started by Dyck and Neva Perrott, who is also co-ordinator of the North Island Farmers’ Market, when they were looking to increase the number of producers at the mar- ket.

“We were just talking about ways to increase the amount of vendors at the farmers’ market. I think the first year they had only three regular vendors and last year they doubled, so they had about six regular vendors who were selling fresh veg- etables. We were trying to think of a way to increase this number,” Dyck said.

The three-hour event brought in both sea- soned and beginner growers. As well, it showcased different methods growers in the region use.

Although only in its second year, events like Seedy Saturday are a growing movement, particularly among those on the North Island, due to the fact that very little produce seen in supermarkets is

actually grown on the island.

“Nothing can beat something grown in your own backyard,” said Dyck.

One thing she hopes to improve on for next year’s event is the role of mentoring and edu- cating young people about gardening.

“We had an area set up, however there weren’t that many who took part.”

Dyck said the event could not have been a success without the work of volunteers and the Lions Club which allowed them the use of their hall.