Will you be participating in National Seed Swap Day this year? Seed swap day will take place on Saturday, January 28th, and is a reminder that spring is soon on its way! The first official seed swap day was held on Jan. 26, 2006, in Washington, DC. It was a day when gardeners, farmers, and plant enthusiasts came together to swap seeds from their best plants.
National Seed Swap Day is a great opportunity for people to share their favorite varieties of seeds, as well as to try out new varieties that they may not have had access to before. Collecting and exchanging seeds has many benefits ranging from preserving rare, heirloom varieties to saving money on seeds. Not to mention that the exchange of seeds perpetuates and improves biodiversity and promotes the ultimate form of recycling within your local area.
All gardeners ranging from novices to horticulture experts can benefit from the long-honored practice and tradition of seed swapping.
There are a variety of ways to swap seeds. Here are some suggestions:
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Check to see if your local library has a seed library.
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Find local seed swap groups on social media.
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Have a seed swap party with friends and neighbors. Everyone can bring their excess seeds to swap.
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Support your local seed library with seed or financial donations.
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Spread awareness about seed swapping by posting on social media.
Advice to Grow by… Ask Us!
UC Master Gardener volunteers are a great resource to connect with new and experienced gardeners for your vegetable gardening needs. From seed to harvesting your crops, the UC Master Garden Program has it covered. UC Master Gardeners are available in most counties to support your home gardening questions by e-mail, telephone, or ZOOM. In addition, UC Master Gardener Program public education events allow you to ask your questions face to face.
Click here to 'Find a Program' and be directed to your local county-based program. You will be redirected to your local county website and contact information.
Attached Images:
"Community Seed Swap" by Howard County Library System is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Make your own seed packets this seed swap day from plants in your garden and share them with friends and neighbors.
Build your personal seed library and increase it's diversity by participating in a seed exchange