Share the excitement of getting ready for planting – bring your family, friends and especially your children to this family friendly event!
Doors open to the public at 10 am sharp!
Admission is by donation (cash or e-transfer). All proceeds go directly to KASSI and our sister organizations, Ratinenhayén:thos and the Kehnteke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre in the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory who are all working to strengthen local seed and food systems.
As always, the highlight of this event will be the Seed Swap Table. Seeds are available by trading or donation – cash or e-transfer.
Please bring local seeds for native plants, shrubs and trees and vegetable and flower seeds that you have saved in individual packets. Label your seed packets with the variety, year harvested, number of seeds in the packet and any other information that could be helpful to other growers and seed savers.
While our focus is on building strong, resilient regional seed systems with local seeds that can be saved and shared, there will be a place at the table for those open packets of commercial seed that we all have lurking at home for people to grow for food.
Meet our local seed growers and purchase seeds from Bear Root Gardens, Semences Junco Seeds and Kitchen Table Seed House
Climate-resilient, locally adapted seeds from the KASSI Living Seed Commons will be available by donation (cash or e-transfer)
Bloom Skills Centre will be offering a lunch menu that highlights KASSI beans grown in 2025 for this purpose. They will be cooking up a Rustic Riboliata stew and bean tostadas. Yum! Their delicious baked goods and coffee and tea will also be available.
We are thrilled that Kingston Frontenac Public Library will be on hand with gardening books and activities for young and old that you can sign out. Don’t have a library card yet? You can sign up for one at this event!
Volunteers from KPFL and their Youth Climate Action Group will have activities for the young and young at heart!
Visit information tables hosted by seed and gardening-related community groups including KASSI and our sister organizations Ratinenhayén:thos and the Kehnteke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre in the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
1000 Island Master Gardeners, Collins Bay and District Horticulture Society, Friends of LeMoine Point, Gardening Kingston and Little Forests Kingston will be available to answer your questions about all things seedy and beyond.
Learn more about worm composting and purchase a compost starter kit from Gerry Baker!
Workshops
-
10:30 – 11:00 – Seed Saving for Children, with Cate Henderson and Chloe Maracle
-
11:00 – 12:00 – Seed Saving 101, with Cate Henderson
-
12:30 – 1:30 – Starting Seeds with Ease, with Tracey Filison from 1000 Islands Master Gardeners
We look forward to seeing you there!
Let’s get the word out! Please share this information widely. Thank you!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GROW YOUR OWN FOOD AND SEED!
KASSI (the Kingston Area Seed System Initiative) is a non-profit organization committed to helping everyone grow their own food and seed. Together we can build regional climate resilience by:
- being part of a community of confident, enthusiastic and skilled seed savers
- growing and sharing climate-resilient, locally adapted, non-hybrid/non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds from the KASSI Living Seed Commons
- supporting the development of a vibrant sustainable network of local ecological growers producing local food and local seed that can be legally grown, saved and shared
Local seed is the foundation of local food systems. The simple act of seed saving is a way to connect with your food and your community. It is also a major act of resistance and social empowerment.
We trust that you find the peace and joy that comes from growing seeds and connecting with the Earth now and always.