Our Mission:

Our Mission: To enable individuals and communities to take an active part in the cultivation of systems that provide the highest quality fruits, vegetables, herbs and other yields, in a way that benefits themselves, cares for the land and environment, and provides a surplus to use, share and reinvest into the system.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Ready for Spring Seed Exchange!

I am so excited to bring to the area a community seed exchange!
The foot of snow that just dumped on us reminds us that it is still winter, but Spring is coming!  We will be starting seeds soon, maybe even on our new growing racks!

Ready for Spring 
Community Seed Exchange
with Abundant Design, LLC

WHEN:   February 28th, 2015
9:30am - 12:00pm/Noon
WHERE:  Waukee Family YMCA
210 North Warrior Lane
Waukee, IA 50263 (map)
   (515) 987-9996


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!

There will even be Door Prizes!!! 
Drawing at 11:00 am

How it works
There will be two groups of tables at this exchange:
    Share Tables - These tables will be 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.
    Barter Tables - 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 see if the person who brought them is interested in anything you brought.
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! 
Here's a very thorough FREE download for more information on seed saving.

Each day the sun is up 2 minutes, 9 seconds earlier...

Have a
Happy Groundhog Day!


1 comment:

  1. RSVP at the Facebook Event page https://www.facebook.com/events/327833300754792/

    ReplyDelete