Salish Seed Guild 2023 Wrap up

2023 was a good gardening year in Whatcom County. The year opened with a very successful seed swap in February, 2023. Many volunteers contributed to the event. Virginia organized volunteers to pack seeds into envelopes, Brian did all the heavy lifting with the web site and actual lifting setting up and cleaning up with Jerry and Harper, Suki brought cookies, Harper and other musicians played for us. WWU students stepped in as seed ambassadors to help us talk to the participants and keep the flow of donations moving. Many other volunteers contributed to make it an excellent event. Over 120 people participated.

We planted a seed garden at Inspiration Farm for the third year in a row. Clean up started in March, followed by seed starting, planting, transplanting, trellis construction, weeding and finally seed harvest and processing in August and September. There were pole edible pod peas, pole beans, bush beans, two kinds of onions, two tomato varieties, lettuce, Bloomsdale spinach, dill and smaller amounts of other items. All the seed from the seed garden will be available at the seed swap in February 2024. None of it would have been possible without the dedicated support of volunteers, particularly Brian, Celt, Danny and Kurt, and our gardening librarian Magenta. Despite the success of the seed garden, it was too much work for too few people. Going forward, we are going to focus on our core mission of gardening education. Brian gets a big thank you for many, many hours, endless patience with novice seed growers, and loaning us a piece of his farm.

There were several educational events in 2023 besides the seed swap. Brian gave a series of permaculture workshops at Inspiration Farm and other venues. Look for more this year. Celt gave a series of talks for the Whatcom County Library System on seed saving, winter gardening, traditional preservation methods, and gardening with medicinal herbs. WCLS has invited her back in 2024. Check the library calendar for dates and locations.

We were able to provide packed seeds for distribution by donation at several locations during spring 2023, including Living Earth Herbs, the Rome Store, Birchwood Neighborhood gardeners, and several food banks. Virginia did an amazing job getting the seeds packed and running them around the county. This year, we will have just a few distribution locations, but the library system has picked up the mission. We are providing WCLS with seeds and technical help as required, but they are off and running with their program.

The Adopt a Seed and Adopt a Tomato projects had difficulty closing the loop to get seed back from participants. Thank you to the gardeners who grew out the seeds and tomato starts. Some of the seeds were saved and have come back to be distributed at the seed swap. Trying to run the projects in a centrally organized way ran straight into the constraints of organizer bandwidth. The best part was the enthusiasm of the participants, mostly first time seed savers. This year, we are encouraging everyone interested to adopt a seed or tomato on their own.

Between the seed swap and the seed distribution locations, we packed and gave out over 7000 packets of seed, not including bulk seed at the seed swap. We are pleased to have touched the lives of hundreds of people over the year, as volunteers, workshop participants, on farm tours, at the seed swap, and in the larger community.

The estate of Les Ishimoto, Kevin, and Suki provided substantial gifts, much of which went to the purchase of bulk seed. Whatcom County is under interdiction for brassica seed, due to club root disease, so we were unable to grow brassica seed at Inspiration Farm. We will have purchased bulk brassica seed available at the seed swap. Many thanks to the many donors, whose gifts added up to the funds necessary to put on the seed swap, distribute seeds and grow the seed garden.

As the seasons turn, so does the cycle of life and death. In recent years, we have lost Bill Sterling, Les Ishimoto, and Larry Williams. Krista Rome got a full time job and has left the board. Terri Wilde moved to a mountain and is with us in spirit. Our faculty member connection with WWU suffered a tragedy. We are blessed the support of long time volunteers and new and excited gardeners.

If you are interested in continuing to support this effort you can still get involved with Inspiration Farm’s seed growing efforts here.

We wish everyone a great gardening year in 2024!

Celt Schira and Brian Kerkvliet

Grow What You Eat, Eat What you Grow

Put your energy into growing plants that you want to eat. You will soon discover yourself planting your garden and planning future menus simultaneously. If you like Asian food, plant plenty of Asian greens, Japanese bunching onions and daikon radishes. Most Asian vegetables thrive in spring and fall. Summer growing requires plenty of water and harvesting them before they bolt.

Tomatoes and peppers are worth the fuss. The taste of a vine ripened tomato is superior, fresh or made into tomato or chili sauce. Plan to start seeds March and transplant in May or early June. Market gardeners have their seed orders in by November. We can at least be on the lookout for online seed companies, swaps with friends, and whatever we can save ourselves.

The best eggplants for this climate are the small, short season ones, such as Little Fingers. Heirloom eggplant Casper will go seed to seed. Eggplants are staple of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes.

We love our sweet Walla Walla onions. Walla Wallas are planted in fall to overwinter and ripen the next summer. They need consistent water as they mature.

First Spring Seed Garden Day

Contribute to seed sovereignty for the whole community while learning about how to garden with a seed-steward mentality! Our work parties are currently a blend of garden tending and informal workshop; we have much to demonstrate and teach this time of the year!

Join us on the very first volunteer day this season. We will be broad forking the beds and planting peas. There are also flats of seeds to sow. Sun, March 26, 2023 @ 10:00 am to 1 pm

RSVP (see below) is preferred, so that we can plan ahead for the day and provide you with any updates in case of changes.

Current Projects Include:

  • Working up and preparing beds
  • Transplanting starts
  • Spreading compost
  • Seeding beds

Hope you can join us during this part of the season!

Attending?(required)

Gardening for Seeds Together

May 8, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1:00 pm

Join others as we plant and tend our 2022 Salish Seed Garden!

Learn gardening skills from experienced plant breeders and seed savers, while growing seeds and resiliency for your community. Come prepared for weather. Please rsvp below. This is so helpful to get our seeds going in the rich soil of Inspiration Farm.

Contribute to seed sovereignty for the whole community while learning about how to garden with a seed-steward mentality! Seed sowing season is already in full swing, and our work parties have transitioned to a blend of garden tending and informal workshops. We have much to demonstrate and teach at this time of the year!

We will work outdoors in small groups. If not vaccinated, please carry a mask to wear when in close quarters or maintain social distancing.

RSVP (see below) is preferred, so that we can plan ahead for the day and provide you with any updates in case of changes.

Early Season Projects Include:

  • Preparing beds
  • Making up potting mix
  • Seeding flats
  • Transplanting seedlings
  • Setting up trellises

Hope you can join us during an educational part of the season!

Free

Inspiration Farm

619 E Laurel Rd
Bellingham, Washington 98226
+ Google Map
360-319-2029
View Venue Website

Seed Gardening Together

May 1, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1:00 pm

Join others as we plant and tend our 2022 Salish Seed Garden!

Learn gardening skills from experienced plant breeders and seed savers, while growing seeds and resiliency for your community. Come prepared for weather. Please rsvp below. This is so helpful to get our seeds going in the rich soil of Inspiration Farm.

Contribute to seed sovereignty for the whole community while learning about how to garden with a seed-steward mentality! Seed sowing season is already in full swing, and our work parties have transitioned to a blend of garden tending and informal workshops. We have much to demonstrate and teach at this time of the year!

We will work outdoors in small groups. If not vaccinated, please carry a mask to wear when in close quarters or maintain social distancing.

RSVP (see below) is preferred, so that we can plan ahead for the day and provide you with any updates in case of changes.

Early Season Projects Include:

  • Preparing beds
  • Making up potting mix
  • Seeding flats
  • Transplanting seedlings
  • Setting up trellises

Hope you can join us during an educational part of the season!

Free

Inspiration Farm

619 E Laurel Rd
Bellingham, Washington 98226
+ Google Map
360-319-2029
View Venue Website

Seed Gardening Together

April 24, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1:00 pm

Join others as we plant and tend our 2022 Salish Seed Garden!

Learn gardening skills from experienced plant breeders and seed savers, while growing seeds and resiliency for your community. Come prepared for weather. Please rsvp below. This is so helpful to get our seeds going in the rich soil of Inspiration Farm.

Contribute to seed sovereignty for the whole community while learning about how to garden with a seed-steward mentality! Seed sowing season is already in full swing, and our work parties have transitioned to a blend of garden tending and informal workshops. We have much to demonstrate and teach at this time of the year!

We will work outdoors in small groups. If not vaccinated, please carry a mask to wear when in close quarters or maintain social distancing.

RSVP (see below) is preferred, so that we can plan ahead for the day and provide you with any updates in case of changes.

Early Season Projects Include:

  • Preparing beds
  • Making up potting mix
  • Seeding flats
  • Transplanting seedlings
  • Setting up trellises

Hope you can join us during an educational part of the season!

Free

Inspiration Farm

619 E Laurel Rd
Bellingham, Washington 98226
+ Google Map
360-319-2029
View Venue Website

Seed Gardening Together

April 17, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1:00 pm

Join others as we plant and tend our 2022 Salish Seed Garden!

Learn gardening skills from experienced plant breeders and seed savers, while growing seeds and resiliency for your community. Come prepared for weather. Please rsvp below. This is so helpful to get our seeds going in the rich soil of Inspiration Farm.

Contribute to seed sovereignty for the whole community while learning about how to garden with a seed-steward mentality! Seed sowing season is already in full swing, and our work parties have transitioned to a blend of garden tending and informal workshops. We have much to demonstrate and teach at this time of the year!

We will work outdoors in small groups. If not vaccinated, please carry a mask to wear when in close quarters or maintain social distancing.

RSVP (see below) is preferred, so that we can plan ahead for the day and provide you with any updates in case of changes.

Early Season Projects Include:

  • Preparing beds
  • Making up potting mix
  • Seeding flats
  • Transplanting seedlings
  • Setting up trellises

Hope you can join us during an educational part of the season!

Free

Inspiration Farm

619 E Laurel Rd
Bellingham, Washington 98226
+ Google Map
360-319-2029
View Venue Website

Help Salish Seed win Funding!

We have applied for a “Gardens for Good” $5000 funding grant to that will help our project continue.

The catch is we need your help to get the votes to win. Will you please consider taking a moment to click on the link below to cast your vote. Even better yet if you can share this with your network of friends!

Thank you to those who care about preserving local seed stewardship.

One vote per email is allowed. We need votes by April 1st!

Thank you for your help ensuring this project continues!

Help us win a funding grant!

Click to Vote for the Salish Seed Guild.

Please share this to anyone who cares about preserving local seed stewardship.

We need votes by April 1st! Thank you!

Seed Gardening Together

April 3, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1:00 pm

Join others as we plant and tend our 2022 Salish Seed Garden!

Learn gardening skills from experienced plant breeders and seed savers, while growing seeds and resiliency for your community. Come prepared for weather. Please rsvp below. This is so helpful to get our seeds going in the rich soil of Inspiration Farm.

Contribute to seed sovereignty for the whole community while learning about how to garden with a seed-steward mentality! Seed sowing season is already in full swing, and our work parties have transitioned to a blend of garden tending and informal workshops. We have much to demonstrate and teach at this time of the year!

We will work outdoors in small groups. If not vaccinated, please carry a mask to wear when in close quarters or maintain social distancing.

RSVP (see below) is preferred, so that we can plan ahead for the day and provide you with any updates in case of changes.

Early Season Projects Include:

  • Preparing beds
  • Making up potting mix
  • Seeding flats
  • Transplanting seedlings
  • Setting up trellises

Hope you can join us during an educational part of the season!

Free

Inspiration Farm

619 E Laurel Rd
Bellingham, Washington 98226
+ Google Map
360-319-2029
View Venue Website

Seed Gardening Together

March 27, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1:00 pm

Join others as we plant and tend our 2022 Salish Seed Garden!

Learn gardening skills from experienced plant breeders and seed savers, while growing seeds and resiliency for your community. Come prepared for weather. Please rsvp below. This is so helpful to get our seeds going in the rich soil of Inspiration Farm.

Free

Celt Schira

Inspiration Farm

619 E Laurel Rd
Bellingham, Washington 98226
+ Google Map
360-319-2029
View Venue Website