Seed Swap Guidelines
The swap will be between 3 and 5 pm.
Trading begins at 3:30 pm. Please arrive between 3 and 3:30 pm to set up.
Bring your seed in containers that can be opened so people can take what they want and not more. Bring small containers (envelopes, pill bottles, etc.) to take seed away in. If you bring bulk seed, please provide a spoon or scoop, and label your bulk seed container so no one takes it!
Bring any seed you like, but we encourage people to bring heirloom varieties and varieties you have saved yourself and know to grow well in the area. Seed saved from hybrid varieties will not grow true to type.
Place your seeds on the appropriate table. Please provide as much information as possible about your seed: species, variety, conditions in which it grew, strengths & sensitivities, maturation time, sprouting time, etc.
Take only the amount of seed you intend to plant.
Growing Ester’s Biodiversity will provide pens, tape, paper plates for sorting, scrap paper, some small envelopes and containers, and some educational materials (brochures, posters, information on seed saving, etc.
Tables are organized by plant family (some tables may have two families):
1. Amaryllidaceae: onion family
chives, garlic, leeks, lilies, onions, shallots
2. Apiaceae (Umbelliferae): carrot family
anise, asafoetida, caraway, carrots, celeriac, celery, chervil, coriander/cilantro, cumin, dill, fennel, lovage, parsley, parsnips
3. Brassicaceae: cabbage/mustard family
cole crops: bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustards, radishes, rutabaga, tat soi, turnips, watercress
4. Chenopodiaceae: goose-foot or spinach family
beets, lamb’s-quarters, quinoa, spinach, Swiss chard
5. Compositae: lettuce or daisy family
artichoke, cardoon, celtuce, chicory, dandelion, endive, escarole, Jerusalem artichoke, lettuces, salsify, scorzonera, shungiku, sunflower
6. Curcurbitaceae: pumpkin/squash family
cantalope, chayote, cucumbers, gourds, luffas, melons, pumpkins, squash, watermelons, zucchinis
7. Gramineae (Poaceae): grass family
bamboo, barley, corn, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, sugarcane, wheat
8. Lamiaceae: mint family
basil, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, nettles, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme
9. Leguminosae (Fabaceae): pea and bean family
beans, chickpeas, clovers, favas, lentils, lupins, peas, peanuts, sweet peas
10. Solanaceae: nightshade family (potatoes/tomatoes)
chilies, eggplants, husk/ground cherries, nicotiana, peppers, petunias, potatoes, schizanthus, tomatillo, tomatoes
11. Other: Polygonacea (rhubarb, sorrel, buckwheat), Tropaeolum (nasturtiums), etc.
Resources:
Mother Earth News has several articles available for reprint on the topic of seed saving, plant selection, and variety development:
“Best Seeds for a Bigger, Better Garden,” by Barbara Pleasant, December 2008/January 2009
“Seed-Starting Basics,” by Nancy Bubel, December/January 2005
“Grow Your Own Seeds,” by John Navazio, October/November 2003
“Savvy Seed Care,” by Barbara Pleasant, December 2006/January 2007
“Save Vegetable Seeds in Your Back Yard,” by Richard P. King, September/October 1977
Organics for All (www.organicsforall.org) has general information pages on vegetable families and seed saving and growing requirements for each.
The Seed Site has information on seed and seed pod types, seed harvesting, seed sowing, germination, seedlings, plant profiles, and more.
J.L. Hudson Public Access Seed Bank: a tremendous resource for seeds and information.
Caring for small fruits.