Why Seedy Saturday?
about seedy saturday
Seeds feed us. They travel with us across continents and oceans. They help us tell our stories and celebrate our cultures. Seeds remind us that abundance exists. Think about a sunflower or ear of corn. Just one seed can produce hundreds of others, can create more plants, more food.
Seedy Saturday celebrates this abundance. At the event’s center are seeds. E.A.T. South saves seeds, and we buy bulk seeds so that everyone can start a garden. We invite you to bring seeds to share (more on that below). If you don’t have seeds, there will be enough for everyone. (So far, we have field peas, amaranth, cucumbers, tomatoes, loofa, peppers, sunchokes, eggplant, lettuce, sweet potatoes, gandules/pigeon peas, dye plant seeds, kale, bunching onions, spaghetti squash, and much, much more.)
This year, we are also collecting books and tools to share. If you have garden tools you don’t need, bring them. You might help someone start their fi
rst garden. We are also taking cookbooks and garden books. If you need some cooking or garden inspiration, you’ll find it on Seedy Saturday.
Volunteers Norma and Alan sort and package seeds for Seedy Saturday.
Seedy Saturday also celebrates the many community groups in our area that keep Montgomery growing. You’ll meet representatives from the Young People’s Horse and Garden Club, Alabama Chapter of the National Women in Agriculture Association, St. Peter AME Church Food Ministry, Freedom Farm Azul, Tuskegee University’s Urban Agriculture Innovation Center, Capital City Master Gardeners, Legacy Heritage Gardens, the Montgomery City-County Library and more.
Finally, curious about compost or starting seeds? We’ll have two short presentations on compost and the checklist for seed starting.
See you at Seedy Saturday!
What to bring to Seedy Saturday:
Seeds!
Turmeric roots - We’re also sharing sweet potatoes and Jerusalem artichoke roots.
Seeds may be saved by you or purchased.
Label, label, label, especially if these are seeds you’ve saved. Label with: plant, variety, and year grown (if you know it). Example: Field peas, Mandy’s Big Red Ripper, 2023
Bring seeds 2 years old or younger. Seeds become less viable over time, meaning they are less likely to sprout. Our goal is for people to have successful gardens so please bring younger seeds.
Package them if you can. Snack baggies work, and you can write on them with Sharpie markers. We will try to have extra bags and envelopes, if you need them.
No poisonous plants - Castor beans, I’m looking at you! Flowers, pollinator plants, and vegetables are all welcome. Not all flowers are edible, but we just don’t want something really poisonous.
Tools! The purpose of the tool swap is to get old forgotten and rusting tools out of sheds and garages and into the hands of people who need & will use them. In that spirit, if you have extra or unused tools (or your neighbor does), please make sure they are in good, usable condition.
Garden tools & supplies in good condition. A little rust is ok, but the tools should be in good enough shape that they can be used without a lot of repair.
Bagged potting soil or compost
Hoses, sprinklers, nozzles - Please no leaks or holes!
Pots - Ceramic, terracotta, nice plastic patio pots are best. We can use the 4 inch nursery pots, but we don’t want to be left with lots of garden center/nursery pots, if that makes sense.
Books! Specifically garden & cookbooks - Yes, many of us turn to the internet for new recipe ideas, but sometimes you can’t beat a good book! Please bring books in good condition. Farm & garden-focused books also welcome.
Questions? Email farmer@eatsouth.org.