Family FunSale Events

Community Seed Swap

Join Our Community Seed Swap and Grow Your Garden!

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting to dip your toes into the green world, our Seed Swap is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow plant enthusiasts, make new friends, and create an even more vibrant and diverse garden.

Saturday April 5   10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Free

Mini Classes

We’re offering three fifteen minute classes to inspire the gardener to enjoy and utilize their seed collection at this year’s Seed Swap. Pick and choose one or more depending upon your interest. Space is limited; be sure to reserve your spot. Liz Morrow, a May Arboretum Society board member and Master Gardener will be teaching the classes.

Seed Viability/Germination Test: provides gardeners with a good idea of how likely you’ll get seedlings from your old seeds.
10:15 am & 12:15 pm

Seed Saving and Storage: how to ensure your seeds are stored to ensure best results for future plantings.
10:45 am & 12:45 pm

Seed Starting Mix: Pros and cons of using, buying or creating your own seed starting mix.
11:15 am & 1:15 pm

Join Us!

This family-friendly event is a fantastic opportunity to trade and share your extra viable seeds with fellow gardeners, allowing you to explore the vast variety of vegetables and ornamentals our community has to offer.

Volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions about growing plants from seed and networking with other seed participants is also a great way to learn. By exchanging seeds you will also be able to save money and another gardener can use your unused but viable seeds.

This event is free, walk-ins are welcome but registration is suggested as it helps us plan.

 

Here’s how to prepare for this seed-tastic shindig:

  1. Harvest your seeds: If you have a garden, take a stroll through it and collect some seeds from your favorite plants. Make sure to gather them in labeled envelopes or containers.
  2. Get organizing: Bring your seeds to the Swap and have them organized by type or variety. This will make it easier for everyone to find the perfect seeds they’ve been dreaming of. Please bring viable seeds, in an envelope, zip top bag, or original seed package, etc. Please label your seeds with, at a minimum: name, type of plant, season collected, if open pollinated and source of the seed. Labels are even more useful if they also include information about the growing conditions, appearance, or flavor.
  3. Share your knowledge: Alongside your seeds, consider bringing any extra gardening tips or tricks you have up your sleeve. We’re all about community and sharing wisdom, so let’s exchange our favorite gardening secrets!
  4. Come with an open mind: Be prepared to explore new possibilities and discover unique seeds that you may have never encountered before. This is your chance to expand your garden and embark on exciting new plant adventures.
  5. How many seeds to bring and exchange: Bring as many seeds as you want to exchange with other participants. You want to take at least the minimum number of seeds necessary to meet your home garden needs but at the same time you want to leave plenty of seeds for other participants to try. Generally, you should share larger quantities of smaller seeds and smaller quantities of larger seeds.
  6. If you want to take more seeds then you brought (or didn’t bring any seeds), we suggest a 0.50 donation for each pack you take