how to host a seed swap

How to Organize a Community Seed Swap

1. Choose a time and place. Depending on how many people you think may attend, it might be coziest to host the seed/plant swap in someone's home or garden. ...
2. Publicize your seed swap. ...
3. Invite speakers. ...
4. Request seed donations from local gardeners or seed companies in advance, to bolster the offerings that people will bring.

1. How do you organize a seed swap?
2. How do I set up a seed library?
3. How do you prepare seeds for planting?
4. How do you dry seeds to replant?
5. What is National Seed Swap Day?
6. What is a seed lending library?
7. Should I soak my seeds before planting?
8. Can you use egg cartons to start seeds?
9. Can you put seeds straight into soil?
10. Are seeds ruined if they get wet?
11. How long do seeds last in packets?
12. How long does it take for seeds to dry out?

How do you organize a seed swap?

Tips on organising the seed exchange

1. Have gardening advice to hand. It's useful to have someone there who knows a bit about growing. ...
2. Label your seeds. ...
3. Don't forget the refreshments. ...
4. Create publicity. ...
5. Donate leftover seeds.

How do I set up a seed library?

How to Start a Seed Library

1. Present your idea to a local group, such as a garden club or master gardeners. ...
2. Arrange for a convenient space, such as a community building. ...
3. Gather your materials. ...
4. You'll also need a desktop computer with a seed database (or another system for keeping track).

How do you prepare seeds for planting?

Fill a bowl with water and place any seeds that you are preparing to plant into the water so they are submerged. Allow the seeds to soak for two hours to absorb moisture, then scoop them out for immediately planting. Use separate bowls for each seed variety.

How do you dry seeds to replant?

Place in a jar of water and leave for a few days, swirling them in the water daily. After a few days, the seeds should have come free from the pulp and sunk to the bottom. Pour the liquid away and rinse the seeds. Leave them to dry on a paper towel and, when fully dry, store in an envelope in a cool, dry place.

What is National Seed Swap Day?

National Seed Swap Day on the last Saturday in January serves as a reminder to gardeners that spring is on its way. It is also an ideal time for gardeners to gather and swap seeds in preparation for starting seeds indoors.

What is a seed lending library?

Seed libraries usually maintain their collections through donations from members. ... seed "lending," in which people check out seed from the library's collection, grow them, save the seed, and return seed from the propagated plants to the library.

Should I soak my seeds before planting?

It is recommended that you only soak most seeds for 12 to 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. ... After soaking your seeds, they can be planted as directed. The benefit of soaking seeds before planting is that your germination time will be reduced, which means you can have happy, growing plants faster.

Can you use egg cartons to start seeds?

You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

Can you put seeds straight into soil?

Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it's an easy process that yields great results. ... Even so, many vegetables, annuals, herbs and perennials sprout easily from seed sown directly into garden soil.

Are seeds ruined if they get wet?

The nature of seeds is that once they are given moisture, they begin to germinate. So it is possible that the process has already started and there's no turning back. ... If the previously wet seeds are dry now, select 8-10 and place them between damp paper towels. Put the damp towels and seeds into a plastic bag.

How long do seeds last in packets?

Most vegetable seeds remain good for about two to three years, but some, such as onions, deteriorate within a year and others such as lettuce, can successfully sprout after five years. The table below lists average years of viability for well-stored vegetable seeds, compiled from regional sources.

How long does it take for seeds to dry out?

When the pods and seed heads feel totally dry—which can take anywhere from a week to four weeks —shake the seeds into an envelope or paper bag. Sieve the seeds to remove chaff and litter, then transfer them to small envelopes or lidded jars for storage.