Expect activity in spades at the Teaching Greenhouse for Seedy Saturday on Saturday, February 8.
The free, family-friendly event, organized by the Thorold Garden Club, will feature speakers, about 20 vendors (arts, crafts and garden-related items), activities for children and youth, a seed swap, draws and more.
President of the Thorold Garden Club Tami Lyons noted this will be the first time the club is hosting this event at the College Teaching Greenhouse.
“Niagara College is just a beautiful venue for this event. We love that the students wanted to get involved,” she said, noting that the students not only add vibrance and energy to the event, but the club is hoping to get more children and younger adults interested in gardening.”
A small group of NC students – who work at the Teaching Greenhouse – will assist with the event, helping with activities for children and youth, touring guests around the greenhouse, and showcasing vermiculture. A student has even volunteered to be among a lineup of speakers for the event, presenting on seeds and germination.
“I’m very much looking forward to being involved in Seedy Saturday,” said Second-year Greenhouse Technician student Quinten Hartlen-Melo. “I believe it’s a great community involvement opportunity that encourages all ages to get their hand in soil and learn about the world of plants.”
Hartlen-Melo is looking forward to being a part of Seedy Saturday. He plans to give a formal talk on starting seeds and getting a good start to your own garden, and a second talk on beneficial insects and their role in a greenhouse.
Insects and the use of ‘beneficial bugs’ to manage those viewed as pests, is a topic Hartlen-Melo is particularly passionate about. He enrolled in the program at NC to learn about Integrated Pest Management – which puts chemical pesticides into a last resort category focusing on more natural methods of pest management – when he returned to his hometown of Grimsby after living abroad and deciding to make a career change.
While pursuing his studies, he has also been working at the Teaching Greenhouse as a student technician, assisting with crop work, irrigation, insect pest scouting and beneficial insect release, and customer service, and has been involved with teaching various workshops such as urn making, bonsai classes, and succulent dish garden making.
“All my knowledge came from my program and from working alongside our senior technicians,” said Hartlen-Melo.
Seedy Saturday is geared to all ages, and is a fundraiser for the Thorold Garden Club, which offers monthly classes and workshops as well as flowers and garden shows. Lyons noted they are seeking new members of all ages and student memberships are available.
The Teaching Greenhouse will remain open for business during this event, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On campus parking is free on Saturdays.
Watch YourTV segment:
Two NC students who work at the Teaching Greenhouse joined Lyons in the YourTV Niagara studio to discuss their involvement with Seedy Saturday.
Seedy Saturday schedule
9:15 a.m. Children and youth activity: Grow a Bean Plant
10:15 a.m. NC student speaker: Seeds and Planting
11:15 a.m. Children and youth activity: Insects of the Greenhouse Tour & Microscope Demo
12:15 p.m. Speaker: Heather Swann: Grow Smarter Not Harder with Raised Beds
1:15 p.m. Activity: Nature Impressions in Clay
2:15 p.m. Speaker: Kelly Masterson: Seeds, Seeds, and More Seeds
2:45 p.m. Draws
