Free Workshops @ Seedy Saturday!!

Seedy Saturday is Toronto's BEST Eco Fair!! Why is that?

Well, because SEEDY SATURDAY WORKSHOPS are FREE or By Donation!

Here's a sample of what to do and see for free!

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1) - 3 SEASON EXTENSION TECHNIQUES AND COLDFRAMES

Presenter: KYLA DIXON-MUIR

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Presenters: ALEX CARON Alex Caron, grows 120 varieties of heritage potatoes. He is a past president of COGKEN McMULLEN Ken McMullen, Spring Arbour Farm, (C.S.A) http://www.springarbourfarm.com/ , past president of COG GARRETT PITTENGER Garrett Pittenger, grows 32 different varieties of heritage potatoes and is a consultant to Agriculture Canada's potato project. He is a past president of Seeds of Diversity.

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3)- MUSHROOM GROWING WITH THE FUN GUY

Presenter: BRUNO PRETTI

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4)- FOOD, FARMERS, AND CLIMATE CHAOS

.Presenters: SUSAN WALSH and SARAH MOHAN from USC Canada

http://www.usc-canada.org/

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5)- HOW TO RAISE SEEDLINGS

Presenters: LORD ABBEY and KRISTIN HOWE

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6)- FIRST NATIONS GARDENING

Presenter: KATE MIDDLETON

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7)- BEAN KEEPERS: A Simple Growing Project To Change the World

Presenters: JANE HAYES of Garden Jane http://www.gardenjane.com/ and BOB WILDFONG of Seeds of Diversity http://www.seeds.ca/

Wordless Wednesday-Dreams of Summer

Notes about Drying Herbs

Drying methods For Herbs

· Open air drying:
Open air drying is the most common and perhaps the best of all methods. It's certainly the one I use most often.
Just hang a few small bunches of herbs, tied with string, and suspended upside down in a dark, (if possible), but well ventillated space. Depending on the quality of the herbs, they should dry in apporximately four to eight days using this method.

Stove

·I don't recommend an electric stove because the temperature can be irregular. When the thermostat comes on, the temperature tends to rise too rapidly and it becomes pretty much impossible to maintain a constant temperature of 35°C that is needed for drying.

The only time I'd use an oven for drying flowers or herbs is when using Silica Gel, which is a drying dessicant. Flowers and herbs should be submerged in the Silica Gel, and are put in the oven at 150 degrees, until the purple crystals in the gel turn blue.

Microwave:

Microwave drying is a rapid process as only a few too many seconds can mean the difference between dried and cooked herbs! A microwave will heat the water in the plant tissue.

In these conditions small leaves dry in a minute. Mint and balm leaves, which hold a lot of water, dry in about three minutes. One must be remember that essential oils contained in these leaves can burn up at high temperatures.

There is a great book out there regarding drying flowers in the microwave. It tells the times and settings for each type of flower. A must if you are keen to try this method. I would suggest searching Ebay or Amazon for it.

Have fun!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Getting ready for Seedy Saturday!

Count Down To ::Seedy Saturday:: Toronto ~ 15 Days!!

These organizations, (above), for the most part, are responsible for making Seedy Saturday a reality. Their huge efforts, mostly volunteer driven, organize a day devoted to the selling and sharing of seeds, + a whole lot more..

You'll find organic and heirloom veggies & flower seeds, as well as amazing demo's and talks about gardening and growing food, which helps educate people about the need to save our own seeds. Our planet has to have diversity with regards to all kinds of life, and we need to promote ways that will be sustainable for years to come.

Kudo's to all the people involved! Please visit each one and learn how they are making a difference, and how you can too!

As an ecologically thinking person, I'm really looking forward to being a part of Seedy Saturday.

Hope to see you there!

: )

Wordless Wednesday @ Wall Flower Studio

Join Wall Flower Studio @ Seedy Saturday In Toronto

So happy to announce that Wall Flower Studio will be participating at this year's Seedy Saturday in Toronto.

People will be able to purchase directly from me. Items for sale will include seed favours, organic seeds, and organic Pot pourri.

Looking so forward to meeting like minded gardeners and other flower/veggie/plant enthusiasts!

Please click the link/picture for more information regarding date and time.

It's all happening on Saturday, February 28th from 2-6pm!
The address is - 601 Christie street, just south of St.Clair Ave., at the Artscape Wychwood Barns (#2). All this is thanks to the Toronto Community Garden Network

Hope to see you there! : )

New Plantable Seed Paper Shapes & Colours! Cat ~ Butterfly ~ Tree

The Cats, Trees, and set of 3 Butterflies are now available for purchasding sale on my Etsy site!
All of my paper is made from 100% post consumer waste paper.
All of the seeds are organic and native to North America, but mostly from my area of Ontario, Canada.
Additions such as flowers, ink, & ribbon etc., are also recycled products, and any ink I use is vegetable based, so it to is safe to plant.
These make great Wedding favours, note cards, bookmarks, and gift tags.
Please contact me for more information regarding bulk orders, colours and pricing.
Thank you! : )

Coreopsis lanceolata - Tickseed - Native & Organic

Coreopsis lanceolata - Tickseed(Organic & Native) Available on my Etsy Site. Just click the pic!

Beautiful Yellow Colour - 25 seeds/pkg. $2.25 + postage. - An easy to grow flower that tolerates a wide range of soil conditions! Tickseed is drought tolerant, but can also withstand prolonged periods of moisture.
You can save the seeds from Coreopsis or let the birds have them. It's a real treat for them!
Grows well in either a partially shaded or sunny location. Bright yellow flowers bloom on 2 to 3 feet tall stems.Flowers June through to September once the plants are established in two years. The foliage of this flower makes an attractive ground cover the remainder of the year. Perennial.
None of the seeds I sell are genetically engineered. (I am against gmo's )*Quality seeds at low prices.

Wordless Wednesday Picture of My Former Back Garden in Toronto. Mostly Pool & Sweet William ! : )