The 3rd Annual Seed Swap was a great success! I found some great fava beans donated by Tom Shepherd, Shepherd Farms. I’m still looking for some jicama seeds. There were wonderful talks, was lively music, new friendships made, and, of course, seeds gathered for mighty planting! If you didn’t make it this year, be sure to come next year!
Feb 5 Banana Plantation & Mulching Party at Mesa Harmony Garden! 8 AM to 1 PM, Holy Cross Church, Meigs/Cliff Dr. Wheelbarrows, picks, pitchforks, shovels needed – bring if you can! Over 100 fruit and nut trees have been planted already, now it’s BANANA planting time! Come see the 34 plot community garden and the project! Get inspired!
Feg 14 Happy Valentine’s Day!
Feb 19 The Seed Ball Making Party! 11 AM to 4 PM at Plaza de Vera Cruz – across the street from the Saturday Farmer’s Market, where Sol Foods Festival was. If there is rain the new location will be posted on eatthestreet.org. If you have seeds to share, please do bring them. And bring some snacks or dishes to share if you wish!
What is a seed ball? Think of them like this: Little Adobe Gardens Imagine then, a clay ball the size of a large marble. Imagine also that it contains seeds for a complete habitat. The seed ball could contain plant potential for an entire ecosystem. It can be made by anyone, anywhere in the world where there is clay, compost, seed and water. The ball is tossed wherever you want to plant, rain moistens it, the clay ‘melts’ its nutrients into the surrounding soil and blankets the seeds with minerals & vitamins. Covered & moist, they germinate, voila! Flowers! Or veggies!
In honor of Masanobu Fukuoka, the Father of Seed Balls, The Story of Seed Balls by Jim ‘Catfish’ Bones:
Feb 27 Santa Barbara Guerilla Planting Day! The Seed Ball Party is purposely planned to precede a day of Guerilla Planting, planting anything and anywhere, respectfully! Particularly it is emphasizing planting unused land – flowers or vegetables! Some people will be planting trees! Several downtown Santa Barbara businesses are already planning creative events! One brewery is going to plant Barley!
Feb 26 10 AM Vegetable Gardening with Oscar Carmona La Sumida Nursery – Rain or shine. Class is free!
Feb 26-27 Santa Barbara Spring Home & Garden Expo! HOME should be an experience, not just an address.
Earl Warren Showgrounds Saturday 10 – 5, Sunday 10 – 4
Admission: Adults $6.00, Kids 12 & under are free Parking: Free
*A portion of the proceeds benefit the Community Environmental Council (CEC)
Fairview Gardens Urban Homesteading is an exciting new series of classes scheduled throughout the year. Some of the classes filled the first day the announcement was made, so sign up right away for any you are considering, and ask to be on a list for a 2nd group to be formed! It is a wonderful way to reconnect with the earth. The series, designed by the staff at Fairview, covers everything from container gardening, composting and raising chickens, to canning, preserving, and more, taught by the best people in our community on site at the farm. (805)967-7369 info@fairviewgardens.org
Apr 16 & 17, CEC’s Earth Day Festival 2011!
Give your Valentine a basket of veggies and some seeds to plant! Have a great month!
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