August 2017
Happy Seed Harvest
As the fruits of summer finally appear and the nights get cooler, it's time to harvest seeds. We're busy bagging, staking, tagging, and sifting the first of ours. Soon there will be fresh batches of beans, peas, lettuce, spinach, squash, and lots of other seeds, drying on every surface we can find.
If you're saving seeds this summer, remember to save some to share through our Member Seed Exchange in 2018. Package up your extras to fill the seed swap table at your local Seedy Saturday or Seedy Sunday. And if you can donate some to a seed library, they will surely appreciate your gift.
But don't try to save seeds from those seedless watermelons...
How Do They Make Seedless Watermelons?
Watermelon is a classic summertime treat. For over 5000 years, people have enjoyed its sweet, juicy, coolness on a hot day - originally in the Kalahari Desert in Africa where watermelon was first domesticated as a convenient way to store and transport water.
Aboriginal Food Crop Seeds
One of my projects at Seeds of Diversity has been to discover the history behind some of the seeds in our collection. My task involved the research and collection of information for seeds that are North American heirloom varieties. The focus had been around Indigenous peoples of North America considering that a vast amount of these historic seeds from the specific geographic location were domesticated and cultivated by these groups.
Last Chance: Help Shape Canada's Food Policy!
Did you know that the Canadian government is currently in the process of designing and developing our first-ever National Food Policy? And for just another few days, you can add your voice to the process and tell the government what you would like to see the policy look like.
The Snowberry Clearwing Moth
Last month I was delighted to see a snowberry clearwing moth in action. It was drinking nectar from a butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), which is regrettably non-native. It was fascinating to watch this quick-moving moth, who mimics a hummingbird in its actions and a bumble bee in its colouration. And, like all pollinators, it unknowingly transfers pollen as it moves from flower to flower, feeding itself.
In this issue
How Do They Make Seedless Watermelons?
Last Chance: Help Shape Canada's Food Policy!
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SEEDY EVENTS
Seed: The Untold Story (Movie)
Tuesday September 12, 2017
The Cinematheque
Vancouver, BC
UBC Farm Open House / BC Seed Trial Tour
Saturday September 16, 2017
UBC Farm Open House
Vancouver, BC
Integrating Seed Production into Market Gardens
Monday September 18, 2017 9:30 to 12:00
Saugeen River CSA
Durham, ON
Best Practices for Harvesting and Cleaning Seed
Monday September 18, 2017 1:30 to 4:30
Hawthorn Farm Organic Seeds
Palmerston, ON
Seed Field Day
Monday September 18, 2017 10 to 4
Cochrane Family Farm
Upper Stewiacke, NS
Seed Saving Workshops
Aug 24, Sept 9, Sept 16. Sept 10 6 pm
7611 Ash St, Richmond, BC
Field Visit at Captivating Seeds
Aug 10, Aug 24, Sept 14, Sept 28
Roulant farm, 261 Chemin Senneville
Montreal, QC
Seeds of Diversity Annual General Meeting
Saturday October 21, 2017 1:30 to 3:30
Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Av
Toronto, ON
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