TEHKUMMAH—This was the sixth year for the Tehkummah Seed Exchange. For the last three years, the event had been generously hosted by JDs Manitoulin Garden Center, noted Anastasia Eronosova. “They provide space for one tropical greenhouse where we usually have space for the long seed swap table, hosting several vendors (our goal is to have only local artisans, makers and growers). As part of the previous seed exchanges, we had presenters, live music and film screening.”
This year Ms. Eranosova decided to concentrate on the seeds and invite only a few vendors. “Folks from Three Forks Farm came with their organic seeds, Crickshollow Honey offered whipped honey, beeswax products and information about pollinator friendly gardens,” she said. “Rainbow Farm North presented their summer bouquet subscriptions, as well as floral art and dried flower arrangements.”
“Everybody’s favourite Farmer Red had his amazing organic jams, jellies and relishes,” said Ms. Eranosova. “Manitoulin Farmstead offered tasting of their bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup and lavender. Plus a guest vendor from Sudbury Beckie’s Creations showcased tropical collector houseplants and offered advice on indoor gardening.”
“The seed swap tables were so full of locally grown seeds,” she exclaimed with delight. “The usual staples as beans, squashes, tomatoes, herbs were abound. To my excitement, some unusual plants appeared as well—woed, citron melon and black locust trees.”
Ms. Eranosova said she was very pleased that people packaged their seeds “so carefully and lovingly—labeling them and marking varieties and year of collections—that was so nice and helpful.”
The atmosphere at the seed exchange was described as “lovely, fresh and involved” with people chatting, asking questions, touching seeds and talking about gardening. “That was truly amazing and close to heart for me,” said Ms. Eransova. “This is part of why I am doing the seed swap—to engage people into growing their own food, to get educated about seed saving, to understand the importance of locally adapted seeds, as well as to remember and be part of the community, united by seeds, passing on the knowledge and being socially close in our sentient nature.”
