Members of the Tweed and District Horticultural Society welcomed Karen ten Cate, from Bumblerock Farm located near Roblin to the September meeting. The members were chatting among each about their “harvest” of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beans, beet, etc. that they have been enjoying. Karen’s talk was a perfect choice for this time of year as it gave members insight into “seed saving” for next spring’s growing season.
Karen, her husband and children grow organic vegetables on their farm and are stewards of a large heirloom seed collection. Honey is also produced on their farm.
Through her photos, Karen shared the secrets of her seed saving journey. Although she has had many successes, she admitted that she had just as many “non-successes” during her learning process. But as she stated, seed saving was a means to keep her “ancestors alive”. She started seed saving with seeds from her grandmother’s garden.
Heirloom seeds offer delicious tasting produce, are locally adaptable and offer a wide variety of colour, shape, size and texture.
It is important to collect seeds that are true to the type of plant you want. Seeds should dried and stored in glass jars that are not completely sealed.
Karen’s enthusiasm about seed collecting was evident throughout her presentation. She loves the fact that she has seeds in her heirloom collection from plants that were grown 100 years ago.
Members were encouraged to attend the Kingston Seedy Saturday which is always held the first weekend of the March Break.
COMING UP
September 17…Garden clean-up. Meet at Moira Garden at 6:00 pm
October 1…Nadine Campeau from Gateway Community Health Centre will be discussing canning. She will do a demonstration on making salsa.