Video archive.

Seeds & Food Security with Bob Wildfong, Seeds of Diversity Canada

Seed biodiversity is crucial for adapting our food system to changes. Learn how farmers and plant breeders responded to the rapid changes of the 20th century, using seed diversity to re-shape the food system. And learn how you and other seed savers can help preserve this precious resource to overcome the unexpected challenges of the next century.

Bob Wildfong has been saving seeds and teaching about garden biodiversity for over 25 years. He is the Executive Director of Seeds of Diversity, an organization that conserves Canadian heritage seeds and plants from coast to coast. He mixes science and storytelling to reveal the secret lives of seeds, plants and pollinators. Bob has been a member of Seeds of Diversity Canada since 1988, and became its first Executive Director in 2002.

Dinner & A Movie with What’s Cooking, Innisfil? and at-home screening of Modified

Cook-along with What’s Cooking, Innisfil? Make Quebec-style Yellow Split Pea Soup, inspired by the film. Find the ingredient list and recipe in the video and in the description of the video.

*Modified at-home screening made possible by Seeds of Diversity Canada.

Seed Saving Basics with Dan Rubin, Perfectly Perennial Herbs and Seeds

Learn the basics of seed saving with gardener and educator Dan Rubin. During his presentation, Dan shares plant life cycles; what seeds are and why they are important; heritage seeds; the differences between annual, biennial and perennial seeds; self-pollinating and cross-pollinating varieties; seed saving from vegetables, fruits and trees; techniques for seed harvesting and cleaning; how to harvest and dry seeds from wet fruit; seed storage; and seed sharing.  As an experienced gardener and seedsman, he offers tips to help you succeed with your own seed saving at home. Dan wraps up with a list of books and publications that offer good information and advice for new and experienced gardeners.

This presentation is provided courtesy of Seeds of Diversity Canada.

Dan Rubin is a seedsman and gardener who makes his home on the coast of Newfoundland. As founder and manager of Perfectly Perennial Herbs and Seeds, he has focused on seeds for perennials and self-seeding annuals that can help rebuild food security for local families and communities. He now leads the Earth Sheltered Greenhouse Project with a team building an innovative year-round grow structure at the O'Brien Farm in St. John's to demonstrate the potential for year-round food production. He is also the founder and chairperson of Food Producers Forum Inc., a provincial non-profit supporting expansion of community-based food production.

Beyond the Basics: Intermediate to Advanced Seed Saving with Bob Wildfong, Seeds of Diversity Canada

Learn beyond the basics of seed saving with Bob Wildfong, seed expert and Executive Director of the national advocacy organization Seeds of Diversity. Bob talks about the mission of the organization and his shared philosophy about seed saving to improve genetic plant diversity, including increasing plant population size, and to rescue rare seeds. He delves into seed saving techniques for pulpy produce, improving rates of germination, “roguing” for best plant and seed selection, and more. Bob also talks about pollination methods of different plants and how to avoid cross pollination to ensure true plant results.

This presentation is provided courtesy of Seeds of Diversity Canada and was originally presented live and virtual during Halton Garden Week in February 2021.

Bob Wildfong has been saving seeds and teaching about garden biodiversity for over 25 years. He mixes science and storytelling to reveal the secret lives of seeds, plants and pollinators. Bob has been a member of Seeds of Diversity Canada since 1988, and became its first Executive Director in 2002, after a career in software engineering.

Growing Up! Maximizing Your Growth Potential with Vertical Gardening with Linda Milthorpe - Tower Garden

Would you like to increase your growing space and yields? Learn how you can take advantage of verticals and make the most of the area you have. Grow more vegetables with less work.

Linda Milthorpe has always had an interest in growing her own produce starting from helping in the family vegetable garden as a child. Sharing the joy of gardening and teaching others the benefits and satisfaction of eating what you have grown yourself are very rewarding. Learning the ease and skills to grow vertically enhances ability for people of all ages to share those same joys.

Children’s Crafts & Stories with Sarah Poland, Innisfil ideaLAB & Library

Presented especially for Innisfil Seedy Saturdays, get excited to garden with this special Storytime with Miss Sarah! We plant some ideas with a story and then cultivate a crop of crafts perfect for the birds and bugs in your backyard!

Make A Pollinator Bee Hotel with Alan Groombridge, Innisfil ideaLAB & Library

Attract solitary bees like Mason and Leafcutter to your garden with a bee hotel! You’ll help these essential pollinators by providing them with a safe breeding place, and in turn they will support your garden through pollination.