How to Collect and Save Seeds

Why go to the bother of collecting all those tiny seeds? The first reason is thriftiness. No need for anything in your garden to go to waste. Compost, recycle, and re-use. The second reason is frugality.

Why buy new plants every year when you can grow your own for free? Even further, why buy unproven plants or seeds when you know the ones you are collecting from did well and obviously flourished in your yard.

Another reason to collect seeds is to ensure the propagation of heirloom varieties and rare, native plants that are not available through other means. Commercial growers and catalogs will often only carry the most popular plants and seeds. By collecting seeds from particular flowers and edibles, you are safe-guarding the future of these species. You are guaranteeing we will have a wide variety of genetic diversity in our future and not just the current “top growers.”

The final reason to collect seeds is to trade them. You may have 100s of Cleome seeds and another gardener has 100s of Poppy seeds. Why not trade a few hundred with each other? Again, you are getting new plants for free or close to it. Seed trading is a whole world unto itself. There are online groups, pen pal lists, and clubs for seed swapping.

Seed collecting is easy. Just wait until the end of the growing season when your current flowers form seedpods. Check on them every few days. They are ready when the pods are dry, brittle, and just ready to open. Don’t wait too late or they’ll break open on their own and cast their seeds to the wind. Pick a day with little breeze and no rain. Go out in mid-morning, after the sun has dried out the air and dewdrops from the leaves. Take a piece of paper and put it under the seed heads then shake them gently. Be sure the seeds are thoroughly dry before you put them in tightly closed jars or zipper-closed baggies. Label them right away and store them in a cool, dark, and dry place.

That last step is the most important. Label them with the date and variety. Be specific as possible. Next spring you’ll be very glad you did – as many seeds look alike. The date is important as you will want to use up your seeds the next growing season or two.

A side note on seed collecting: not all plants can be propagated from seed. Many plants that you buy are hybrids or sterile. If you have hybrid flowers and vegetables, they may produce seeds. However, the seeds will often not produce offspring that is “true” to the parent plants. In other words, the seeds from hybrids are often a different variety than the plant you originally purchased and they are often inferior in quality.

A simple way to get started is to collect seeds from your common annual flowers that open-pollinate: zinnias, marigolds, forget-me-nots, four-o-clocks, cosmos, cleome, and sunflowers. Then, as your gardening skills grow, move on to perennials and biennials.

So take a few minutes this harvest season to collect those plant seeds and you’ll be all set next spring for a bountiful crop of new blooms.

#SeedSwapDay is our Official Event Hashtag

Please post your pics and comments to social media from your Seed Swap Day events using the hashtag #SeedSwapDay. Feel free to also use the hashtag throughout the year to share what you grow from your seeds you acquired from the swap! We can't wait to see your shares!

How to Prepare for Attending a Seed Swap

Here are a few tips for getting prepared for attending a Seed Swap:

~ Be sure to register ASAP for the swap you want to attend. Space may be limited and some swaps fill fast. 

~ You can bring unused seeds from purchased packs or seeds you gathered from your own garden. Carefully pack and label your seeds as best you can. The more information you can provide, the better.

~ Each seed pack should have a "useable" amount of seed. Use your best judgement. For some plants, like zinnias you might include 20-30 seeds per packet and for others, like tomatoes, you would only need to put in 10 or seeds in a pack. If in doubt, err on the generous side as you can always break up a pack amongst swappers later.

~ Did you know you can make your own seed packs? Get great free downloadable templates are here: http://tipnut.com/seed-packets/

~ Please do NOT bring large quantities of seed in one bag. Seed swap organizers and volunteers are over-whelmed at the check-in tables already. Please break them up into smaller quantity packs ahead of time or we will not be able to put them out.

   

~ The definition of "seeds" is usually very broad so yes, you can bring bulbs, tubers, corms, acorns, etc. to the swap. They should be bagged and labeled just like smaller seeds.

   

~ Older seeds are fine as long as they were stored properly, if you can test for viability that would be great. Here is how to test for seed viability. (The exceptions are lettuce, onions, and impatiens seeds, which should all be less than a year old.)

~ Store seeds for swapping in a dark, cool (not freezing) spot away from any moisture. Glass jars are the ideal storage vehicle.

~ Make a list of your seed “wants” in advance.  It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the day and forget the basics that you came for or the rarities that you had been seeking.

~ Bring extra note paper and a pen/pencil as you will learn so much from others' at the swap and want to take lots of notes.

~ Bring extra seed bags and labels in case you want to swap directly with someone and need to break up a packet to share with them. 

~ Most seed swaps will have generic blank name tags -- but we ask participants to be creative and make their own tags or if you have your own name tag from work or another event, by all means bring it. (Some swaps will do prizes for the most creative name tags :-). We are trying to make these event green and eco-friendly.

~ If the seed swap gives out goody bags, when you get your bag at check-in, please make sure to label it with your name -- all the bags will likely look alike and can get easily mixed up. 

~ Bringing a few sheets of those personalized address labels you get with charity mailings will come in handy for this and for labeling your seed packets, giving out your contact information to fellow gardeners, etc.

~ If you are bringing seed catalogs for a give-away table, be sure to rip off the address labels and tear out any order insert with your personal information on it. Some swaps also welcome gardening books and magazines for swapping, so feel free to bring those too.

~  Most swaps screen incoming seeds and reject any GMO seeds and do not accept any seeds from invasive plants listings. See the listing at: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/toc.htm for a start, your region's invasives list may vary. Check with your location state extension office, if in doubt about a plant's invasive status.

 

~ Most of all, have fun! 

Got more tips for seed swapping? Please share in the comments below.

How to Host a Seed Swap

Whether just among your neighbors, your garden club/plant society, or your wider community, a seed swap can be a terrific way to get lots of seeds, to meet new friends, and to learn a great deal about what grows best in our area.

   When setting up a seed swap, pick a date well in advance so that you can give participants several weeks notice. Mid-winter is the perfect season for hosting plant seed events so folks who like to start seeds indoors have enough time before the growing season.

   Next you’ll need a location. A big, open space with lots of table surfaces works well. You want some place that can get messy and will allow you to spread out the selections. Tip: contact your local public garden for space and to partner with them.

   Send out the invitations and ask all of your participants to carefully label all their seeds. Ask for volunteers to help you set up and clean up as this is definitely not a one-person job.

   Gather your supplies. You’ll want to have extra labels and baggies on-hand. Name tags are also a good ice-breaker. Extra pens/pencils and paper are a must. Once people get talking, there will be lots of note-taking.

   Asking attendees to bring some food to share potluck-style will get people munching and talking either before or after your swap. If you add food to your event, you will need to also bring a table to serve it on, napkins, cups, plates, etc. Keep the food/beverages in a separate area from the seeds so there is no danger of anything spilling on them!

   On the day of the event, have your volunteers sort the seeds as they arrive into your pre-assigned categories. Make signs for each table with the category names. (It is a good idea to screen for GMO seeds and seeds from invasive plants as they come in.)



   During the sorting and check-in period, have an expert speaker (or two or three) talk about seed-starting and garden-related topics.

   At the designated swap start time, ask each participant to come forward and briefly describe the seeds they brought to swap and a bit about their care. You may want to assign a timer to keep folks under a set limit as many fellow garden nerds can get carried away with their enthusiasm. This is where a whistle can come in handy as well.

   Once everyone has introduced their seeds, you will need to devise a fair way to assign who chooses first. Many groups give first choice to volunteers who helped coordinate and set-up the event. Other groups do it by order of arrival, by oldest to youngest, or by whim. The most common method is to pass around a basket with numbered slips of paper. Participants pick one out and that is their order of seed selection. Since most people bring several packets of seed to swap, there will be several rounds of seed selection by participants. Once the pickings start to get slim, you can announce a "free-for-all" where all-together folks can grab up any of the remaining seeds.

   If there are still leftover seeds, they can be donated to a local school or nonprofit gardens. Be sure to check in advance that these donations are welcome and will be planted in a timely manner.

Bonus Swap Features:

   At the Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchanges in DC/MD/VA, they add the following fun, green features which you may want to consider at your seed swap:

~ Prizes for the most creative name tags :-). Attendees are asked to make a name tag or recycle one from another event.

~  Goody Bags and Door Prizes are given out. Donations for the bags and prizes are solicited from garden-related businesses. Sponsoring businesses are listed on signage and all event promotions. The goody bags are stuffed prior to the swap day.

~ Garden Catalog/Book/Information Tables. A section of tables is set aside for garden materials that are free for the taking. Attendees are encouraged to bring in seed catalogs, garden books and magazines, flyers for other area garden events, public garden brochures, etc. Attendees are asked be sure to rip off the address labels and tear out any order insert with personal information on any seed/garden catalogs they bring in.

Update:
Our friends at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange have shared their own "how to host a seed swap" instructions here. There are many ways to structure a swap and we hope to see you at one soon!

What IS National Seed Swap Day and How Did it Get Started?

Swapping Seeds: A Gardening Tradition and Hallmark of GREEN Living!

The seed swap is a fundamental part of human history. Seeds were one of the first commodities valued and traded. Today, modern gardeners collect and exchange seeds for many reasons ranging from cultivating rare, heirloom varieties to basic thrift. The exchange of seeds perpetuates biodiversity. It is an act of giving and the ultimate form of recycling.

The first annual Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange was held in Washington, DC, on January 26, 2006. Kathy Jentz, the editor/publisher of the magazine had the last Saturday of January named an official holiday and National Seed Swap Day was born. After that event’s success, seed swaps in other cities across the nation have joined in celebrating National Seed Swap Day each year on (or around*) the last Saturday in January.

Please help spread the word on this fun, green occasion!


*We consider any seed swap taking places two weeks before or two weeks after the actual National Seed Swap Day to be part of our celebration.

Seed Swap Day Logo!

Washington Gardener Magazine held a contest for a logo and/or slogan for National Seed Swap Day last January and our winner is Matthew Smith of Richwood, OH, who submitted this simple, striking design:

Matthew said, "Sharing seeds and fostering the ability of communities to garden is something I'm deeply passionate about. I'm excited to contribute this."

We hope communities across the nation and the world will join us in celebrating  National Seed Swap Day!

If you would like to use this logo at your seed swap event, please contact KathyJentz@gmail.com to have the file sent to you.

2015 Seed Swap Listing

Here are all the Seed Swaps/Seed Exchanges taking place on or around National Seed Swap Day in 2015. (If we have missed your event, please send an email to kathyjentz@gmail.com with the details so we can add you.)

~ Thursday, January 15, 2015, 5-7pm
Community Seed Swap at the Southern SAWG Conference 
Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL
This will be a good opportunity to meet seed savers and learn about varieties dear to their hearts. Don’t forget to bring your seeds! Bring photos and samples too if you can. There will be lots of heirloom seeds not commonly available (and hints on how to save them yourself) from these top notch organic growers. This is part of the Southern SAWG Annual Conference.

~  Saturday, January 24, 10am to 12pm
2nd Indy Seed Swap 
Indianapolis, IN at the Benton House, in historic Irvington.

Title: The 2nd Indy Seed Swap

Bring seeds, stories, and Spring!

Benton House, 312 South Downey Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46219

Contact: Peter Kuhns, pkuhns@gmail.com, 317-332-6668

~ Saturday, January 24, 10:30am-1:30pm

Seed and Scion Swap

Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA
This event is free and open to all gardeners – whether you are a member of a community garden, or tend vegetables and fruit in your own yard.
Details at: https://www.facebook.com/events/687955741312578/


~ Saturday, January 24, 1:00-3:00pm

Calvert Library Southern Branch Seed Swap
Calvery County, MD

What are we swapping? Unused seeds from purchased packs and seeds you gathered from your own garde. 

See details at: http://calvert.lib.md.us/swap.html

~ Saturday January 24, 2-5pm
5th Annual St. Louis Free Seed Swap and Share
Great Rivers Saloon, 7529 Michigan Ave, St. Louis MO 63111
Although winter may have your garden locked up with cold and snow there's no reason to not think about the future as spring will soon be opening up to your gardening adventures. Come on down to the St. Louis seed swap and bring your seeds to share with others. We will have some local experts share advice on seed preservation and germination as well as some free door prizes. There is no cost for this event and likewise seeds are given away for free and never sold. All donated seeds must be labeled with the variety and year harvested and you must declare them to be GMO free. No genetically modified or patented seeds will be allowed at this event. So come on down into a light and free-flowing atmosphere with friends and fellow growers. If you do not have seeds to share you may still come down to partake in this as there will be many seats available to the public .Swapping is not mandatory it is just a term to promote sharing. There will be many free seeds available and we encourage you to come on down and get your germination on!!! Remember that seed saving is your inherent birthright and no one is allowed to take that away from you.
For details go to https://www.facebook.com/events/688461094573314/
or email  UrbanfarmerNik@gmail.com

~  Saturday, January 24, 10am – 2pm
4th Annual Seed Exchange
Blandy Experimental Farm, Boyce, VA
For more information, please call 540-837-1758 ext 224 or contact Donna Downing at 540-667-3778

~ Sunday, January 25, 1:00-4:00pm
Historic Venersborg Schoolhouse Seed Swap
Battle Ground, WA
Flowers~Vegetables~Herbs~Ornamentals~Edibles. Many are local saved seeds, non-GMO, heirloom and more. Thanks to a few generous people there will be a wide selection with many varieties. Bring your own extras if you have any. Visit with new and experienced gardeners and start dreaming of spring! Here is a partial list: basil, beans, beets, borage, broccoli, calendula, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber, dill, fennel, kale, lettuce, marigold, melons, nasturtium, nigella, onion, parsley, peas, peppers, poppies, pumpkins, radish, squash, sunflowers, swiss chard, tomatoes, zinnias and more.
Informal soup/snack potluck and non-perishable food drive to benefit the North County Community Food Bank.
Details at: http://venersborg.blogspot.com/

~ Sunday, January 25, 11-3pm
7th Annual Santa Barbara Community Seed Swap 
at owntown Santa Barbara Central Library, Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
Local groups will table, including the Santa Barbara Seed Saving Guild who will share valuable seed saving techniques and encourage local gardeners to grow out and harvest some of their best seeds for future gardens and seed swaps, making us a truly food secure community.  Seed saving is a fun and easy way to connect to the circle of life.   
Free. A celebration to bring seeds & people together.
For more information, (805) 962-2571, margie@sbpermaculture.org. 

~ January 30, 11:30-1:30pm

NATIONAL SEED SWAP DAY at the Davis Cemetery Arboretum

Davis Cemetery Arboretum, 820 Pole Line Road, Davis, CA 95618 

Seeds savers, gardeners, and farmers please bring your extra seeds to exchange with your fellow friends and neighbors. Beginner gardeners are also welcome.  We will provide labels, envelopes and a limited amount of seeds of ornamental and vegetable plants. This is a great opportunity to meet your fellow gardeners and add diversity to your garden.

See details at: www.daviscemetery.org

~ Friday-Saturday, January 30-31,from 11:00am-8:00pm
Jamestown Market Seed Swap
113 E. Main Street, Jamestown, NC 27282
For details, call: 336-314-0306
 

~ Saturday, Jan 31, 12:30-4pm

Washington Gardener Seed Exchange - MD/DC

Behnke Nurseries, Beltsville, MD 

Washington Gardener Magazine, the publication for DC- area gardening enthusiasts, is hosting the seventh annual Washington Seed Exchange. This event includes lectures, face-to-face seed swap, and more. You bring your extra seeds to swap with other gardeners. Everyone will leave with a bag full of seeds, new garden friends and expert planting advice. Fee includes lectures, goody bag and seed swap.

Fee: $20/person $15 for Washington Gardener subscribers and Friends of Brookside Gardens.

For more information, contact Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine, 301-588-6894, WGardenermag@aol.com. 
Details at: http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2014/12/register-now-for-10th-annual-washington.html

Directions: http://behnkes.com/website/

~ Saturday, January 31, 9:30 am-12:45 pm
8th Annual Seed and Houseplant Swap - Upstate NY 
Rochester Civic Garden Center, Rochester, NY 
Co-sponsored by the Upstate Gardeners’ Journal

Fee: $15 includes both talks, the swaps, and refreshments. You are encouraged to bring seeds and houseplant cuttings to swap, but they are not required, and there will be plenty for everyone to take some home. Join us for a garden fix in the dead of winter, with two fun and informative talks and an opportunity to swap seeds and houseplant cuttings with fellow enthusiasts. Beat the winter blues and get a head start on spring.

Event details: http://www.rcgc.org/0131ss-8th-annual-seed-and-houseplant-swap

~ Saturday, January 31, 2015

Quad Cities Food Hub 3rd Annual Seed Swap 

Quad Cities Food Hub, 421 West River Drive, Davenport, Iowa

Details at:http://www.qcfoodhub.com

~ Saturday, January 31, 1-4pm
Second Annual National Seed Swap Day - Seattle, WA
Phinney Neighborhood Center, Seattle, WA
The event will be held from 1-4 pm on Saturday, January 31st, 2015. Bring your seeds and your notebooks too, because we will be offering workshops on seed saving and cleaning, and will have a very special guest giving a talk. If you don’t have seeds to share, you are welcome to come to learn and to get a few seeds- just please be mindful of how much you take- we expect a couple hundred people and want everyone to be able to get some seeds. This event will also mark the opening of our fourth seed library branch, right there at the Phinney Tool Lending Library. If you are part of the neighborhood, this is an excited new resource for you. Any questions about the event can be directed to Caitlin at urbanfoodwarrior@gmail.com
Details at: http://kingcoseed.org/2014/12/18/national-seed-swap-day-2015/

~ Saturday, January 31^st 2015, 2pm-4pm
Cleveland Seed Bank’s Annual Seed Swap 
Coffee Proper, 17823 Detroit Ave Lakewood, OH, 44107
Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about saving seeds and sharing their seed stories. Come and swap heirloom seeds, rhizomes, roots, and tubers with other gardeners across our bioregion. Learn, network and prepare for the gardening season ahead.
New this year: Bring your sourdough starters, cheese and yogurt cultures, kefir grains and kombucha scoby to share. This event is free and open to all gardeners.
Details at: http://www.clevelandseedbank.org/events/

~ Saturday, January 31, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Seed Swap!

Antelope Park Church of The Brethren, 3645 Sumner St, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506
Are you a seed saver, or interested in learning how to save seeds from one season to the next? Join Open Harvest and Community CROPS for a seed swap extravaganza. Bring your stash from last year and containers for seeds that you pick up from others. Don't have a stash? No need to worry, there will be plenty to go around. Stick around for a little education! Community CROPS will provide several seed saving demonstrations at 1:30 and 2:30 PM.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/764642553618818/

 ~ Saturday, Feb 7, 12:30-4pm

Washington Gardener Seed Exchange - VA/DC - MidAlantic

Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, VA

Washington Gardener Magazine, the publication for DC- area gardening enthusiasts, is co-hosting the seventh annual Washington Seed Exchange at Green Spring Gardens. This event includes lectures, face-to-face seed swap, and more. You bring your extra seeds to swap with other gardeners. Everyone will leave with a bag full of seeds, new garden friends and expert planting advice. Fee includes lectures, goody bag and seed swap. Register by calling 703-642-5173. Fee: $20/person $15 for Washington Gardener subscribers and Friends of Green Spring.

For more information, contact Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine, 301-588-6894, WGardenermag@aol.com.

Details at: http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2014/12/register-now-for-10th-annual-washington.html

Directions: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

~ Saturday, February 7, 11:00am-2:00pm
Faulkner County Seed Swap
Conway, Arkansas 

Faulkner County Library and the Urban Farm Project are hosting. Bring seeds to trade or small envelopes to donate to the seed library or to collect seeds. There will be live music and refreshments. This event is free and open to the public and fun for all ages.

    Faulkner County Library and the Urban Farm Project are screening Seed Swap Documentary on Thursday, February 5 at 7:00pm. This film documents Dr. Brian Campbell’s quest to re-establish community seed swaps in the Ozarks, while saving heirloom seed varieties traditionally grown in the region. Filmmaker Zachariah McCannon will be on hand to introduce the film and answer questions. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, check out the film's website:

http://seedswapdocumentary.com/Home.html

~ Saturday, February 7, 1:00pm
Berthoud Community Library, Berthoud, CO
Come swap seeds and donate any extra you have to help start our new seed library.
Details: 970-532-2757 or director.bpl@gmail.com

~ Saturday, February 7, 10am-1pm

Cincinnati Permaculture Meetup

4911 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH

Blue Ash Library public meeting room

Details at:

http://www.meetup.com/Cincinnati-Permaculture-Meetup/events/218891202/

~ Sunday Feb 8, 2-3:30pm

SEED SWAP @ Creative 360

1517 Bayliss St, Midland MI 48640

Small House Farm is teaming up with the C360 Community Garden to bring you our first ever Seed Swap event! This event is open to everyone; from the seasoned heirloom seed collector to those just entering the world of gardening. Bring some seeds to swap and small baggies to take home your new seeds. Pre-registration is appreciated.Light refreshments provided. No charge, donations gratefully accepted. Register by contacting the Creative 360 at 837.1885.

More info at www.SmallHouseFarm.com

~ Saturday, February 14, 9:00am

2015 Kaw Valley Seed Fair - KS

Douglas County Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS

Seed Exchange. Vendors, food, lectures. More than 1,000 visitors came to the fair during each of the past three years, and we expect a similar turnout this year for this wonderful event. Bring your seeds to exchange, or just pick some up at the fair. The exchange also will include books, videos and other gardening and seed-saving resources. Please bring books, etc., that you'd like to pass on to others. We especially welcome heirloom, open-pollinated seed.

https://www.facebook.com/kawvalleyseeds

~ Saturday, February 14, 10:00-11:30am
Seed Share: Project Grow
Downtown Home and Garden, 210 South Ashley, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. 
Did you save more seeds than you could ever use? Did you perhaps go a bit mad at the end-of-year seed sales? Then the Seed Share is for you! Why not see what you can exchange with other gardeners? Bring any kind of LABELED seeds--flowers, vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees. This event is open to the public--you don't need to be a garden guru or Project Grow member to attend.You don't even need to have seeds -- there are always some left over. Please find street parking to reserve spots in the small DH&G lot for DH&G customers. Call
734-975-6865 for details.

~ Saturday, February 21, 10am

Ogden Seed Exchange 5th annual Seed Swap

Ogden Nature Center, Ogden, UT

 It begins with a mini workshop and informal discussion at 10:00 am.  Seed Swap begins at 11:00. Bring your open-pollinated or heirloom seeds to trade. but you do not need to bring seeds to participate. Bring extra envelopes for your trades or purchases. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ogden-Seed-Exchange/218942978246286

~ Saturday, February 21, 10am

Seed Swap

Carbondale Community Farmers Market at the Carbondale High School 1301 Walnut Street,
Carbondale, IL
Bring seeds, take seeds. Plants also welcome. NO GMO.  Everything free. Come even if you have nothing. Bring everything you can share. just like the plants give. Information provided about starting and cultivating seedlings Information provided about saving seed

Sponsored by CC Farmers Market and the Subsistence Research Center 
https://www.facebook.com/events/1428722017418850/?ref_dashboard_filter=hosting

~ Saturday, February 21, 2015
East Snyder Community Garden 3^rd annual Seed Exchange
Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library, Selinsgrove, PA  
Seed savers (you know who you are) bring the extra seeds you have saved and bring your know how on how to save seeds. Gardeners who seeds left from your 2014 garden- bring those seeds.  Farmers bring leftovers from your bulk packets of seed. PLEASE label your seeds.  The garden board will provide small envelops for seeds to be shared.  Questions: call 570-374-1525 or email escgpa@gmail.com 

East Snyder Community Garden

~ Saturday, February 21, 10am
3rd Annual Southside Organic Gardeners Seed Swap
Beverly Area Planning Association's community room,  11109 S. Longwood,  Chicago,  IL 60643
We have a guest speaker who will talk about his family's super-intensive 1/2 acre vertical farm. We'll be swapping seeds, of course, and fun will be had. Parking is in the lot just to the east of the building.
For more info, contact Abe Lentner: Abrahamlentner@gmail.com

~ Saturday, February 28, 10:00am
Tucson Backyard Gardening Exchange
7909 E 22nd St, Tucson, Arizona 85710
The Magic Garden Nursery & Landscape, and the Sarah family, are graciously hosting our next exchange.  Bring your spare seeds and seedlings, garden tools, supplies and self. Let's do a meet and greet, even if you have nothing else for the exchange. Please no selling. We leave that up to our hosts. Magic Garden is a great place to shop. :) Parking in Magic Garden's parking lot and next door at the UMC doctors' office both encouraged. We would also like to encourage any pot luck food you care to bring.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/338482759683419/?ref=4

~ Saturday, February 28, 10am-2pm

ABC Seed Library Seed Fair

at the Main Library of the ABC Library

501 Copper NW, Albuquerque, NM

Join us for a celebration of seed. We will start off with a closed seed swap for those who bring seeds from 10-11. Join us afterwards for talks by: Brett Bakker (NMDA Organic Program), Emigdio Ballon (Tesuque Pueblo Seed Bank), and Sean Ludden (Bosque Seed Collective). Seedbroadcast will be there as well as plenty of seeds and community partners. This event is free and open to the public. Free parking validation for the first 2 hours is an added bonus.

Contact: Brita Sauer/ Juan Tabo Library/ 505-291-6260, http://www.abclibrary.org/seeds.

~ Sunday, March 1 2:00-4:00pm
6th Annual Seed Swap

Swedish Covenant Hospital Atrium5145 N. California, Chicago, IL 60625

Whether you saved seeds from plants grown in your garden, have leftover new or used seed packets, or are looking for seeds, the 6th Annual Seed Swap in the place to be! You never know what you will find – gardeners are generous people, after all. Reconnect with old friends and meet new ones as we all get excited about growing together in 2015!  See:

http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50363/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=80927

~ Saturday, March 7, 11 AM to 2 PM

Kent Ohio Food Not Lawns

1st Annual Seed Swap

Kent Free Library, Kent, OH

Upstairs meeting room
A seed swap event allows the trading of both self saved and leftover purchased seeds. Come meet other gardeners in the community and make some new gardening friends. Donated seed will be available for those without seeds to trade. Please bring a potluck dish to share. Kent Ohio Food Not Lawns is dedicated to encouraging individuals to produce food for themselves, their families, and others.  We work together in the community to swap seeds, plants, food, advice, techniques, chores, and stories.  Regular meetings are scheduled, including seed swaps, food swaps, workshops, farm and garden tours, lawn conversions, discussions, and community projects. Visit us at kofnl.org

Our current 2015 total is 29 swaps in 21 states! Keep checking back as we are adding new swaps to this listing all the time!