Can you believe the weather!?!?
I am so excited for our 2nd annual community seed exchange!
We will be starting seeds soon, maybe even on our new growing racks with seeds you saved yourself.
Ready for Spring
Community Seed Exchange
with Abundant Design, LLC
WHEN: March 19th, 2016
9:30am - 12:30pm
WHERE: Waukee Public Library
950 Warrior Lane
Waukee, IA 50263 (map)
(515) 987-1280
with Special Musical Guest Des Moines Downtown Farmer's Market Favorite
with Special Musical Guest Des Moines Downtown Farmer's Market Favorite
"Sweet Tater" TeRonde
What is a Seed Exchange?
A seed (& plant) exchange is exactly what it sounds like—a forum for swapping out seeds and plants with fellow gardeners, or those aspiring to be. They allow gardeners to come together and share seeds, cuttings, and transplants from their own gardens to swap with others. They are a great way to get rid of some of your extra seeds and get something new to grow — all for free! It's also fun to chat with other gardeners, get some growing tips and build community.
EVERYONE is welcome!
This event is for anyone who has seeds or wants seeds. Expert gardeners. Beginner gardeners. Aspiring gardeners. Seed-savers. You. If you don’t have any seeds to swap, still come! There should be plenty of seed to share with everyone as well as extra seeds available!How it works
There will be two kinds of tables at the exchange but mostly Share Tables. Share Tables are where you can place seeds for others to browse and take as needed, and for you to take items to try. Everyone brings seeds to the swap and puts the seeds out on the large tables. These areas will be free-sharing for all.
There might end up being a Barter Table. These tables will be for your rarer items that you would trade if you got another more desired item. If someone has rare or expensive seeds, they may be more specific in what they will accept in trades, and you can see if the person who brought them is interested in anything you brought.
Please do NOT let a lack of seeds to trade keep you from attending!
Most likely, people will just want to share their extra seeds, and they’ll let you take some even if they don't happen to need anything you brought.
What to bring
You can bring any kind* of seeds/plants to trade: flowers, vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials, bulbs — it doesn't matter. You can bring seeds you've collected yourself or leftover seeds from packets you have purchased.
It’s really pretty easy…
- Bring any extra seeds that are no more than two or three years old.
- Store-bought, mail-ordered or home-saved; all seeds* are welcome.
- If you are bringing seeds you saved yourself, please be sure they are from non-hybrid or knowledgeably hybridized plants, and were saved properly.
- You can bring the seeds in whatever packaging is easiest for you. If you can, make individual little seed packets for people to take. Please repackage large quantities of seeds into smaller envelopes or plastic baggies. 10-30 seeds are plenty. If you just want to bring your opened seed packet with leftover seeds in it, that's fine, too.
- If you bring seedlings make sure the plants are healthy and well cared for.
- Please clearly label all seed packets and plants with the variety name, year and source plus any special instructions or notes (for example, "These seeds need to be soaked before planting" or "My great-grandmother brought these seeds from the Old Country").
- Little envelopes and a writing utensil so that you can collect and label your “loot”
*please no seed saved or propagated from patented plants
You do not need to be a seed starting expert — people will gladly share growing tips!
Watch my video for some easy plants to start with:
Watch my video for some easy plants to start with:
Here's a very thorough FREE download for more information on seed saving:
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