Hi everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful week and are braving the cold. We’ve hit some low temperatures over the last few days and the forecast is calling for five to 10 degrees below seasonal for the coastal areas. These are the coldest conditions we’ve had during this winter season so bundle up and stay warm. Might be a good idea to turn off the water to outside taps and store hoses in a warmer place. Also keep your furry friends indoors and protected during these cold nights.
February always feels like the end of winter for me and brings the promise of warmer, longer days. Time to turn the garden soil, start seeds indoors and store the snow shovel way back in the garden shed. This year it looks like Mother Nature may have a different idea on how this spring will roll out but I’m sure gardeners everywhere are itching to get things started.
In B.C., the spring growing season usually begins with Seedy Saturday and for 31 years, the heart of the movement continues with sharing, selling and swapping of heritage and open pollinated seeds. Gardeners and farmers share seeds, their stories and educational information on seed saving techniques. This year, in the spirit of Seedy Saturday, Denise at 8146 Redrooffs Rd. will have an outdoor, safely distanced seed stand. All seeds are pre-packaged with easy to grow local seeds. Denise invites you to walk, bike or drive by between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Feb. 27. Denise says, “You can exchange pre-packaged seeds, take some seed packets, or just ask a question or two on seed saving.” Donations will go to the Sunshine Coast Seed Collective, which Denise helped create along with Robin Wheeler and is now run by a committed group of volunteers. This collective organizes workshops for advanced and beginner seed collectors and records seed varieties being saved along the Sunshine Coast. Check out their website at sunseeds.ca where you can find more information.
For information on seed collecting and sharing, you can sign up for B.C.’s first Virtual Seedy Saturday Conference being held from Feb. 19 through to the 21st. Check out Farm Folk/City Folk website at: farmfolkcityfolk.ca and click on the Events page for the online events sign-up details.
Although Valentine’s Day may not be celebrated as a holiday and some don’t acknowledge it at all, others take the time to do something extra special for their loved one. Whether it be a nice dinner, these days probably at home, a gift of flowers, chocolates or a card, it is nice to give and to receive. Of course, this is not intended to be a hint to anyone in particular. Whatever you do on Valentine’s Day, I hope that you take a moment or two to let those around you know how much you love them. Savour those chocolates, enjoy the flowers and cherish the cards or simply say, “I love you.” Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Be safe, be gentle and always be kind.
Have your “Say at the Bay,” please contact me before 5 p.m. on Mondays. cindy.kisser@telus.net.
