It's a chance for Chilliwack to share and trade precious vegetable seeds.
Or first-time growers can take in one of the super helpful gardening workshops to learn a few tricks.
Food Matters Chilliwack invites everyone to get growing this summer with the Plant A Row/Grow A Row program, encouraging locals to grow root veggies for the local soup kitchen as well as their families.
The 2013 kickoff event and silent auction is set for Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. rain or shine.
"Every interested person is welcome," says Alanna Clempson, FMC spokesperson.
The location of the PARGAR vegetable drop-offs is shifting for the 2013 growing season and will be now be in The Salvation Army Thrift Store parking lot, next to the Care and Share Centre.
"The kickoff event is a chance for local gardening enthusiasts and first-time gardeners alike to come together and enhance their vegetable growing skills and soil health knowledge.
"It is also a chance to share and trade seeds for the 2013 growing season and as a community, participate in PARGAR 2013 to grow vegetables for the Chilliwack Salvation Army Food Bank/Soup Kitchen."
Cost is by donation.
Workshops start at 1:30 p.m. to learn 'How to turn a patch of grass into a thriving garden plot' with Food Matters Chilliwack.
At 2 p.m. join seasoned expert, Jack Kouwenhoven, on 'Amending the soil for planting and the best methods for healthy vegetables.'
At 3 p.m. it's local gardening guru, Brian Minter, on the 'secrets of success' with the most popular and sometimes challenging crops, such as potatoes, other root crops, brassicas, tomatoes and peppers, as well as the best methods of organic pest management.
The first 100 gardening enthusiasts to register at the launch get a free garden starter seed kit, starting at 1 p.m. that day, with PARGAR seeds and some just for fun.
An area will be set aside for seed trading, and anyone can bring seeds they wish to trade. Parking is behind the Salvation Army Care and Share Centre, at 45746 Yale Rd. Chilliwack.
For more information on PARGAR 2013 and how to get involved, please contact foodmatterschilliwack.gleaning@gmail.com or call 604 795 9880
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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