Around 200 people braved the rain to trade, buy, and learn about seeds with us at the first Seedy Saturday Richmond since 2019! The Terra Nova Red Barn and Mary’s Barn (generously provided by The Sharing Farm) were packed with 11 workshops, 6 community tables, 2 vendors, and visits from 3 elected officials.
People often turn to gardening in times of uncertainty and crisis. Grocery prices are rising, and seed prices are too. Most seeds on the market, like the groceries they produce, are bought and sold by international companies across borders — making them vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, climate disasters, and tariffs. The good news is that there is an old, easy solution: seed-saving.
The community that mobilized around seed security last Saturday was an energizing look at how we can weather challenging times together.
Highlights
Spreading Seeds
Urban Bounty gave away over 400 seed packets through our seed swap and seed library programs.
Seed librarians will grow out seeds this season, save seeds from the best crops, and bring them back for others to try next year.
Selling Seeds
Seedy Saturday Vendors BC Eco Seed Co-op and Seeds of the Revolution sold high-quality, locally-adapted seeds, all saved by local BC growers.
Seeds saved in BC can be selected for attributes that do well under local climate conditions, creating a stronger seed stock.
Meeting Representatives
Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham and Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene visited. It was an honour to host our elected officials and demonstrate out priorities for food security and sustainability.
Seeding Learning Through Workshops
Musqueam First Nation Land-Based Healing Coordinator Kymberlee Stogan started the day by grounding us in a long Indigenous legacy of stewardship. The land now occupied by the Sharing Farm and the Terra Nova Community Garden is the historical site of an abundant Musqueam fishing camp called Spul’u’kwuks, where Indigenous people gathered salmon, sturgeon, and crabapple.
While settler-colonialism disrupted First Nations’ connection to their land, Kymberlee is working to restore Musqueam foodways while building new ones in line with principles of sustainability and reciprocity. We’re grateful to listen and learn from her!
“We used to come here to fish, now we come here with our kids and work the land and access local food. The relationship with the land has changed, but it’s still there,” – Kimberly Stogan, Musqueam First Nation Land-based Healing Coordinator
Master Gardener Michelle Li of Mint-Green Apron delivered a dynamite presentation on edible flowers and herbs, equipping attendees to grow delicious, beautiful, and pollinator-friendly gardens.
Tip: Plant nasturtiums around the edges of your plot to attract aphids away from your other veggies – then make the edible orange-red flowers into a spicy salad!
Kareno Hawbolt, a dedicated seed-saver and grower, dropped a bushel of knowledge about growing tomatoes from seed. This is only the first in a series: stay tuned for three more tomato workshops coming this summer.
Tip: For small spaces or container gardeners, try growing bush tomatoes, which are determinate – meaning once they reach their full height they wont grow any taller.
Rachel Ryall from River and Sea Flowers gave a popular talk about growing flowers for cutting into bouquets.
Tip: Pinch off your azaleas and zinnias to encourage stems to branch and grow bushier and more abundant flowers. You can encourage them to grow long stems by trimming aggressively while leaving the base of the plant intact.
Laura Gillanders, master gardener by day, and city councillor also by day, gave a fascinating talk on her work with FarmWatch to preserve Richmond’s Agricultural Land reserve against real estate speculation. Read about her work in the Richmond News.
Bruno Vernier took us on a rainy tour of the Miyawaki Mini Forest – a dense ecosystem designed to pack lots of native biodiversity into a small public park space.
Master Gardener Lynda Pasacreta of the Richmond Garden Club delivered efficient tips about gardening in small containers.
Tip: Succession plant your garden to keep things growing all season long.
David Caetzel from FarmFolkCityFolk presented the basics of seed-saving, as well as sharing FarmFolkCityFolk’s work to breed better, BC-adapted crop varieties.
Tip: Keen scientists (no experience necessary!) can sign up for the FarmFolkCityFolk’s Citizen Seed Trial to test some of their seeds yourself, and report back on the results.
Ve-Jane Duong of Microfusion Farms has dedicated the past four years to breeding the tomato of her dreams (the sweet, smoky Cherokee Purple) to create a durable fruit without sacrificing flavour. The descendants of the Cherokee Purple (on the left in the below photo) became a small, hearty, and unexpectedly pink crossbreed (on the right). Look out for this year’s iteration at Ve-Jane’s farmer’s market stands this summer.
Photo by Ve-Jane Duong
Thank you to everyone who came to Seedy Saturday Richmond 2025. We hope to see you next year for an even bigger, better Seedy Saturday!
