Earth Day 2011

I'd like to tell the tale of our Earth day this year...as a family.  I promise it won't be preachy...or make you feel like you should have done more.  Everything has to have a beginning.  We certainly don't plant forests every year, but after this year...why don't we do it?  It was a great gathering!  What our family experienced was not a usual event, but I certainly hope it becomes one.  It was one of those things that make you feel great on all levels and it happened to be really fun to boot!

Our family drove 3 hours away (there's irony...we burned a lotta gas to get there...but a movement has to start somewhere) to our friends Doug and Traces.  I've known Traces since public school.  


The farmhouse at 6:30am...ready for the day to begin

 They live in Omemee, Ontario.  That's where they operate their business Green Side Up Environmental Services. 

Doug was a guest on this blog recently in the attached link.  Doug recently got a grant from the government to reforest his farm land.  I find it all pretty amazing since not a short while back in Canadian history, our lives depended on clearing such land as fast as humanly possible...by hand.  Times change and here we are putting the trees back in...by hand.  On the eve of Earth Day 2011, we're all excited to get doing the work.   I'm sitting by the fire with good friends in the fresh country night air. 




The nighttime shot had way more beer bottles in it....so I opted for the PG image

 The following morning was a rush of preparing the trees for planting. 


My husband (right) Ches being such a good sport.


Digging out the seedlings and getting them in pots on the trailer.  1500 seedlings to be exact.  They had a ways to go before they would get to their permanent home in the back 55. 

Signs were made and spare rubber boots, gloves and shovels were gathered for the unprepared.  I took turns taking different groups of people to the planting area.  We had several local politicians drop in for the event too.  Two different riders for the Green Party and a local Liberal representative joined in.  We were so fortunate that everyone didn't arrive all at once...as the earlier folks got tired, a new flock of helpers showed up to take up the slack!


Tall and small...all came to help in the field!

 After lunchtime, when most of us had thought we had planted enough...a new bunch showed up and it started all over again.  Everyone planted more trees than Doug could have hoped for and still the volunteers kept coming out of the woodwork!




future xmas trees

 It was an exhausting day of wonderful fulfillment.  Everyone had grins on their faces for what we had accomplished.


Noah and Ches personally planted 75 trees

 The smaller kids were lucky to get all the way back to the planting zone...and for the wee ones, there was still lots to take part in.  My boys were keen to check on the chicken coop.  Noah would come running out with a fresh egg every few hours.  Owen just loved chasing the rooster around the coop...silly boy.



What a handsome fella!

 For those kids who STILL had too much energy...there was a huge trampoline.  Kids of all ages gave it a whirl.



Owen gets some airtime.



Traces had boiled a few dozen eggs and early afternoon the kids got into painting them.  Another friend set up a face painting station!  Owen was an easter bunny...tee hee.  Of course the kitchen was a buzz of coffee and snacks all day long.  The kids spent almost the whole day unplugged and taking in the fresh air.  Burning off calories the old fashioned way. 

All in all, it was one fantastic day.  Mother Earth was kind to us weather-wise.  The kids all pitched in.  The adults really gave it their all.  Now next year....there better be a prize for he who plants the MOST seedlings!

What did you do for Earth Day?  Tell me all about it! 

Tis the seedy season!

Its such an exciting time...February...you can officially start counting DOWN to gardening season!  Yay!

Its also that time of year that gardening type shows are starting up.  Its a great time to get excited about the next growing season.  A time to learn some tips and tricks before you get to put them into action.  I am going to try going to a seedy saturday in my area...and see what it's all about...the Kingston one takes place on March 12 at the Central Library.

I first heard about Seedy Saturdays from my good friend Doug Kennedy of Green Side Up Environmental Services.  He operates out of Omemee and participates in an insane amount of public speaking events until spring arrives...then you'll always find him out on the road or working the land. 

I asked Doug some questions about these types of events and here's what Doug had to say!

What are seedy saturdays (sundays) all about?

Doug - These events are all about the promotion of seed trade/purchase in preparation of a new growing season as well as promotoing associated horticultural and gardening businesses, events and organizations.

What will you be speaking about at these types of events?

Doug - Topics I present at these events and others like it include native plants and gardening, soil and its importance, and other ecological or horticultural topics.

What are you bringing to the event?
Doug - During the different events I attend I usually bring my promotional material, and a some native plants (trees, shrubs, perennials) to sell or trade.

What would I (or anyone else...novice or expert) get out of an event like seedy saturday? Doug - It's one stop shop for acquiring your seed for the next growing season, whether its organic or hierloom. Also, there are organizations who attend some events and promote the programs which could include grant and volunteer opportunities. I always meet great people, expand my network and learn something at every event.

Why am i thinking about gardening at this time of year?

Doug - We are experiencing some warm spells, the spring is around the corner, days are longer. Spring is in the air and not to mention cabin fever.

What special qualifications do you have for being at these events?

Doug - None. All you need is something to promote, trade, sell, educate and talk about that is related to seeds or gardening.

What is your business Green Side Up Environmental Services all about?

Doug - We have a native plant nursery and provide a design/build landscape construction service including garden, tree, and stone work.

Do you specialize in any particular service(s)?

Doug - We specialize in natural approaches and ecological restoration as well as run a native plant nursery selling tree, shrubs, and perennials.

Any closing thoughts you have on seeds or these types of events?


Doug - Don't miss out on these events, they are a fundemental component of personal motivation and a foundation building block of the horticultural and gardening community.


Thanks Doug!  I hope everyone can get to a local Seedy event.  I included the link to the Seedy calendar...so you can search by town name and find one...but hurry...most of them take place in late February or early March.