What is National Seed Swap Day?
Happy National Seed Swap Day!
What is a Seed Swap?
This is a wonderful event celebrated the last week of January every year and is an opportunity for individuals, typically gardeners and farmers, to come together to exchange seeds. The concept of a Seed Swap is simple yet fascinating, and it brings immense joy and a sense of community among gardening enthusiasts.
Discover Seed Swapping: A Fun and Interactive Way to Build Your Garden and Community
Attending a seed swap event is a fantastic way to meet other gardening enthusiasts and swap seeds for your garden. If you're interested in attending an event in your area, a quick Google search can help you locate one. But what if there isn't one nearby? Hosting your own seed swap is easier than you think! Here are some tips for attending and hosting a seed swap:
Attending a Seed Swap:
Bring your own seeds: It's always a great idea to bring some of your own seeds to share. This way, you can be sure to get seeds that you're interested in growing.
Label your seeds: Make sure you label your seeds with the plant name and any other relevant information, such as the variety or the date they were harvested.
Bring a container: You'll need something to carry your new seeds home in, so bring a container such as a paper bag or small box.
Ask questions: Seed swaps are a great opportunity to learn from other gardeners. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the seeds you're interested in or to share your own knowledge with others.
Hosting a Seed Swap:
Find a venue: You'll need a space to host the event, such as a community center or library. Be sure to check with the venue to see if there are any fees or restrictions.
Spread the word: Use social media, community bulletin boards, and word of mouth to let people know about the event. Be sure to include the date, time, and location, as well as any guidelines for what types of seeds to bring.
Set up tables: You'll need tables for attendees to display their seeds. Be sure to provide labels and markers so people can label their seeds.
Have fun: Seed swaps are a great way to connect with other gardeners and learn about new plants. Enjoy the event and don't forget to bring some of your own seeds to share!
“An annual January tradition was born! Wonderful!”
My Experience Attending a Seed Swap for the First Time
When I first heard about National Seed Swap Day, I was inspired to go and find an event near me. Unfortunately, there were no events in my area. But instead of giving up, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a new tradition for my gardening community. Here's how it all happened.
Organizers
My friend Brigitte, from the Seed Lending Library, and I, Safiyat from Tasty Harvests, took the initiative to organize an exciting event for the Framingham community. We hosted the first seed swap party and invited all local gardening groups and community members to join in on the fun at the McAuliffe Branch Library's café. The party was held on Monday, January 22nd, 2024, from 6-7 pm. It was a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and share their love for gardening.
The Seeds
There was a diverse range of seeds at our party. Here are some examples of the seeds that were brought to a seed swap:
Locally saved seeds
Excess bought seeds
Seeds brought back from another region or country
Excess seeds donated by a seed company
The seed swap was a wonderful opportunity for gardeners to share their love for gardening and to connect with like-minded people. It was amazing to see the variety of seeds that were brought to the party.
The locally saved seeds were particularly interesting, as they had been carefully selected and nurtured by experienced gardeners in the community.
It was also fascinating to learn about the different varieties of seeds that were brought back from other regions and countries, as they offered a glimpse into the uniqueness of those places.
The excess seeds donated by a seed company were a great addition to the collection, as they provided an opportunity for gardeners to try out new varieties and experiment with different planting techniques.
Overall, the seed swap was a fantastic event that brought people together and promoted the joy of gardening.
The Gardeners
Our seed swap event saw an amazing mix of experienced and new food gardeners. Gardeners of various skill levels and specialties exchange seeds with each other. As well as the many gardners from these amazing local groups that are passionate about gardening too Energize Framingham, Framingham Community Farm, Framingham Garden Club, Green, Keep Framingham Beautiful, Pinefield Garden Club, Stearns Farm CSA, Victory Over Hunger Community Garden, Transition Framingham + Framingham Community Gardens Working Group and library patrons. Some of these gardeners brought their own saved seeds to share, while others challenged themselves by obtaining new seeds to plant, even if they had never grown them before. It was a great learning experience for all.
The Community
At the seed swap event, gardeners not only trade seeds, but also share their valuable experiences and stories from their gardening journey. It's heartwarming to hear the fascinating stories, and some gardeners even offer guidance to help others improve their gardening skills. As I strolled around, I overheard various conversations on a range of food garden topics, from planning and seed starting to kids gardening, composting, seed saving, and personal garden journey stories. For instance, an avid gardener inquired about protecting their garden from pests, while another mentioned their goal of installing a fence to deter pests. One gardener shared their mission of exclusively growing heirloom seeds in their food garden. Participants new to food gardening sought advice on starting their journey and the easiest plants to grow in their region. A mother with her two children eagerly took two packets of seeds to begin their food garden journey, marking their first venture into growing food in their yard. This event bolstered the local community and fostered an environment of mutual growth and learning.
Thank You For Partying With Us!
“I want to thank you very much for participating and helping to make our event yesterday a great success.
It was great to work together with you all, especially Safiyat who came up with the idea. ”
We thank everyone who joined us for this wonderful event and made it a huge success. We hope you had a great time and are excited to grow the new seeds you acquired. Do let us know which seeds you are excited to grow this season in the comments!
“Agreed! It was a wonderful evening with some even more wonderful people :)”
Learn More With Us
We, at Tasty Harvests, also host live zoom classes on Mondays for people new to food gardening and experience gardeners too. If you are interested, you can join a class here. We Hope to see you soon and let's keep growing together!
