Can you hear it? The sound of the first bulbs as they push through the wet soil, the buds expanding on trees and shrubs, and all the millions of seeds that fell to the ground last year and are preparing to germinate. It is a busy time for Mother Nature.

One of the big signs of spring in our Valley is Seedy Saturday, which happens on the first Saturday in March, this year March 6, from 10 to 3pm. More about it later in this article.

We have noticed the membership of CVGSS growing, as the interest in back-yard food production increases, and more people want to learn how to grow organically, and are looking for the companionship of other gardeners, and of course seeds. If you are wondering why we are interested in saving seeds, rather than buying them from a commercial company, you might be interested in a news report recently about the revolutionary Global Seed Vault, a depository of seed samples from around the world. It is located in the Norwegian Arctic and its purpose is to replenish the world's crops in the event of a global catastrophe. To celebrate its first anniversary, around 90,000 seeds representing hundreds of species of crops were delivered to the Seed Vault, mainly from Canada, the US, Ireland, Switzerland, Mexico and Syria. This brought the total number of seeds in the vault to 200 million seeds, representing more than 400,000 different varieties. This project seems to be one that transcends national boundaries and politics, and inspires a strong unity of purpose, possibly because the need for food is universal.

Here in the Comox Valley, we have an ideal climate for growing food crops all year round, so that we could feasibly move towards much greater sustainability than we currently have. Catastrophes can and do happen that affect the food supply, or the transportation of imported food onto the Island, and that leaves us potentially very vulnerable. The supply of heritage and non GMO seeds is dwindling, and we need to wean ourselves off foreign and imported fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Having our own locally-grown supply of heritage seeds (ones that are not hybridised, and therefore grow true) means that we can feed ourselves, at least partially, from our own bck yards, and front yards too.

Back to Seedy Saturday. Here you will find seed vendors from all over the Island, with their own heritage seeds, brought together under one roof at the Filberg Centre. The Seed Savers (CVGSS) who put on Seedy Saturday, also have their own seed exchange and sale. This year we will have over 4000 packages of locally-grown heritage seeds available. Check the website to see the varieties, and make a list before you come. In addition to the horticultural fair, there are excellent presentations and workshops, as well as delicious and affordable food from the Seedy Cafe.

Because the event is so popular, we have made advance tickets available for only $6. Come to our table at Film Fest, or later to the Blue Heron in Comox, the Laughing Oyster in Courtenay, Seeds Market in Cumberland, and Black Creek Farm & Feed. Tickets will be $8 at the door, free for the under 14's.

One last item: CVGSS holds an annual plant sale, with garden-ready plants grown from our heritage seeds. This sell-out event is on May 15 this year, at Simms Park. Jonathan Schut is coordinating it, and he would like you to know that he will be offering instructions to beginners, as well as supplies, so if you would like to try starting seeds, and donating some of your seedlings to the sale, contact him at yayjonny,,,yahoo.com.

We look forward to seeing you at Seedy Saturday. Get your tickets in advance, and bring the list of seeds you want to try.

Vivien Adams
on behalf of CVGSS
www.comoxvalleygrowersandseedsavers.com