Got extra seeds to swap?

Across the country, gardeners will celebrate National Seed Swap Day on January 30 with hosted events and, well, seed swaps. And like the annual Christmas Bird Count hosted by the National Audubon Society, there is a two-week window on either side of this date to provide flexibility for hosts sponsoring an event.

The first annual seed exchange was held by Washington Gardener magazine back in 2006. Kathy Jentz, editor and publisher, spouted the idea of exchanging seeds and gardening tips in the middle of winter when gardeners had some free time. The initial success lead to proclaiming the last Saturday of January as National Seed Swap Day. Since then, the idea has blossomed and spread across the country where neighborhood associations, public libraries, nurseries and other organizations host swaps.

Swapping seeds has deep roots. When our nomadic ancestors began to settle down and grow crops, their survival depended upon collecting seeds from year to year. I can imagine trades going on for meat, tools, furs or other plants that involved payment in seeds. In the Southwest, the introduction of maize, beans and corn came from traders or travelers – the earliest seed catalogs arrived on two legs, with limited, but important, selections.

Finding a Seed Swap

An Internet search will turn up http://seedswapday.blogspot.com/ and get you started. There are listings from over 20 states, but refine your search and keep scrolling. Different entities from churches to garden groups, greenhouses to community centers host swaps. If you don’t see a listing for your area, contact a local gardening group to see if they are hosting an event. And there are no rules to say that you couldn’t start one up yourself with friends, family or neighbors.

On social media channels search #SeedSwapDay which is the event’s official hashtag.

Some of the seed swaps have evolved into larger events, where guest presenters give programs on pollinators, pest control, seed collecting or community gardens. Some show gardening-related films, while others keep up the time honored tradition of coffee and donuts and talking with your neighbor. Like fertile soil, fruitful ideas sprout when gardeners gather.

And it isn’t only about seeds. Tubers, roots, bulbs, acorns, cuttings and more can be found at seed swaps. Organizers establish some parameters, so check with them prior to the swap to see what is being offered or asked for. Some groups focus on heirloom seeds or non-GMO seeds. Trading seeds isn’t the only activity at most swaps. Political discussions are like dormant seeds, buried in the soil waiting to be churned up. There may be discussions about pollinator biology, pros and cons of pesticides, social issues of community gardens and neighborhood hunger. You know gardeners, and diversity is one of their identifying characteristics.

Preparing for a Swap

Once you’ve found a nearby seed swap check out what they are offering or what they would like you to bring. Some like participants to bring small quantities of seeds individually packaged for easy distribution. For tomatoes or squash, 10-15 seeds is plenty per packet or if flower seeds are acceptable, maybe 20-30 per packet. Think potluck – you’re not trying to feed a crowd of 100, but your casserole dish contributes to the whole.

A swap might ask that you bring your own packets and take small samples. Check your local art supply or craft store for small zip lock bags or manila envelopes. Plain or fancy, that is up to you. Some swaps offer prizes or goody bags for the most creative packets or presentations. For the DIY, check out the free templates at http://tipnut.com/seed-packets/. Like one poster said, “This isn’t your ancestor’s seed swap.” Where’s the fun in burlap bags when hand-printed, custom-designed labels exist? When I was in college collecting bryophytes, we used newspaper folded into small envelopes as a suitable container. If you are repackaging some purchased seeds, include the “packaged for” date on the label.

Also check to see if you need to RSVP to attend. Some swaps have limited space or organizers try to prepare packets for an expected number of participants. Maybe even see if they need help organizing or picking up supplies on your way to the event.

Bring viable seeds. Old doesn’t necessarily mean low germination. Stored properly, some varieties have a longer shelf life than expected. Lettuce seeds from 12 years old? Probably not. Also, if you don’t want to get run out of town, don’t bring seeds of invasive plants to a seed swap. There are few things more irritating to a garden than invasive weeds. If you’re unsure, contact a gardener or your local state extension office. Some states may consider a plant invasive even though it is sold regionally.

Again, check with the organizers to see if there will be a catalog or book exchange at the swap. Gardeners are the original Rumpelstiltskin recyclers, turning manure into gold.

A Sample of Swaps

If you live in Washington State, check out the Great Seattle Seed Swap, Saturday, January 30 at the Phinney Neighborhood Association’s Community Room. Visit the King County Seed Lending Library, no overdues, at kingcoseeds.org for more information. The Historic Schoolhouse Seed Swap in Battle Ground is open to all and will have an informal potluck and non-perishable food drive to benefit one of the local food banks. To learn about their upcoming seed swap on Sunday, January 31, visit http://venersborg.blogspot.com/. The 6^th annual Snoqualmie Valley Seed Exchange, which takes place February 6, will have a seed swap, kid’s corner, bulb sale, talks and more. Visit their website at http://www.snoqualmievalleyseedexchange.org/2016-event.html for more information.

Though just a sample of the seed swaps out there, each year more and more organizations plan and host these mid-winter gatherings for gardeners.