Innisfil is hosting its first Seedy Saturday next week, and I’m excited to be part of it. This is a community seed swap, where gardeners can exchange seed that they have collected themselves – which is great, because local seed produces plants that are more adapted to local growing conditions.

But there’s going to be so much more!

Sponsored by the Innisfil Seed Library, the event will include seed sellers, garden-related local businesses and environmental and horticultural organizations. There will be demonstrations and talks throughout the day as well as children's activities. Lunch can be purchased. Admission is free.

It all takes place from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday, April 1 at the ideaLAB & Library, 967 Innisfil Beach Road, Alcona.

I’ll have a table and will be selling plants, seeds and other items, as well as promoting two important organizations: The North American Native Plant Society and the Ontario Invasive Plant Council. Drop by and say hi!

I’m also one of several speakers. I’ll have a presentation on the topic of Leaves, Insects, Birds and Why Native Plants Matter, starting at 1:15 pm. More information:
http://www.innisfil.library.on.ca/innisfil-seedy-saturday
https://www.facebook.com/innisfilseedysaturday/

Yes, Return of the Native is now on Facebook. Here’s the link. Like us!

Anniversaries offer a chance to look back, look forward and - most importantly - look around. I think we can all use this sesquicentennial opportunity to reflect on what it means to be on this beautiful land and, for those of us who have our roots in other corners of the world, become part of a harmonious future.

This is hard as our culture and aesthetic sense are rooted elsewhere, our education emphasizes technology over nature, and the pace of modern life give us little time to listen to the land and its creatures. But chances to connect with nature are all around – with a feeder for the birds, some seed set to germinate on the window sill, or a time of quiet reflection on a park bench. The connection deepens with a walk in the forest or a canoe trip through a wetland.

As gardeners, let’s listen, learn and Grow More Canada! by restoring native plants wherever we can. They support the web of life which sustains us all.

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