Friday, January 25, 2013

Happy National Seed Swap Day! (Plus a Giveaway!)



Have you been gazing at seed catalogs, dreaming of spring? Wait! Before you place your order, let's have a seed swap!

Did you know that Saturday, January 26, 2013 is National Seed Swap Day? Nope, neither did I until I happened to read an article today. So, while it's too late for me to organize a local, community seed swap, I thought it might be fun to host a virtual seed swap. Want to join me?

Here's how it will work:
  1. Check your seed inventory to see what you can share. Make a list and note quantities. (Please remember—if you save seeds from your garden, please only pass along heirloom seeds. Seeds collected from hybrids usually don't grow true to the parent plant.)
  2. Make a list of seeds you'd like to receive.
  3. Go to the Garden Delights Facebook page. (In case you don't know, Garden Delights is my organic heirloom plant business.) Please “Like” the page, if you haven't already, and then find today's Status about National Seed Swap Day.
  4. Post your seed availability and your wish list of seeds in the Comments section of the post. I'll cut and paste the comments into a master document titled “2013 Seed Swap,” which you can find under “Notes.” It should make it a little easier to navigate than scrolling through lots of comments to see who has/wants which seeds.
  5. Check out seed availability, then contact the person who offers the varieties you'd like. Please arrange to share addresses privately.
  6. Make certain to pack and label your seeds carefully for the recipient. Add any information that you think the grower would find helpful or interesting, like “Germinates best in cool temperatures” or “Heirloom passed down from grandfather.” The more information, the better!
  7. Please be generous when sending seeds. Remember, germination rates vary, plus older seeds may have a lower germination rate.
  8. As the seeds should fit into a normal envelope that requires one stamp (unless you're being extremely generous), I'd recommend that the sender is responsible for postage. Everyone will be sending and receiving, so the postage costs should balance out.
  9. Please send the seeds within a week of the request, or at least let the recipient know when to expect the seeds.
  10. Have fun and make new gardening friends!
Now, I've never organized an online seed swap before...but I'm excited to try it! Please be patient if I haven't covered something or if there are any problems. I'll try my best to fix any technical issues, but any seed delivery issues is between the parties who made the agreement, OK?

And—as an extra bonus—I'm going to randomly select two seed swappers to receive a collection of seeds from Baker's Creek Heirloom Seeds and Seed Savers Exchange! All you need to do to enter the drawing is to “Follow” Growing Days, if you haven't already; “Like” Garden Delights' Facebook page; and participate in the seed swap! I'll announce the winners on February 28.

Are you ready to plant your best garden ever? Then on your mark, get set...let's swap some seeds!

Happy National Seed Swap Day (Tomorrow)!

XO ~

Julie

P.S. Here's a great site with very cute seed envelope templates. You can make your own seed packets! 

P.P.S. Check out Farm Girl Blog Fest, a great assortment of homesteading, gardening, and crafting ideas.

11 comments:

  1. Thanks for highlighting National Seed Swap Day! Here is our official logo if you want to display it virtually: http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2013/01/national-seed-swap-day-logoslogan.html

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    1. Thanks for organizing such a great event! Next year, I will be better prepared and plan a community swap, I hope! Cheers!

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  2. I am starting a new garden with trial and pleanty of error. But I would be very interested in learning from others about different seed varieties and more about the best ideas for eastern Washington.

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    1. Starting a new garden is so wonderful--a black slate to begin! Thrilling! It can also be a little overwhelming (so many seeds--what to choose?) Please always feel free to send me a note if you ever have any questions. I love talking gardening, in case you didn't notice! ;-) Good luck to you!

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  3. This is such a great thing to be doing!
    http://theredeemedgardener.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Clint, I love seed swaps, and I hope everyone can have a chance to share! Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. Julie--thanks for the shout out for the Blog Fest! I would love to participate in the seed swap, but I think I need to keep better records of where my plants are coming from that I've collected seeds from first! Lovely idea! :)

    Thanks for sharing at the Blog Fest! :D

    ~Kristi@Let This Mind Be in You

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    1. Kristi, the only reason my seeds are organized is because it's my business! I'm in serious trouble if I don't keep them well tended. Now, the rest of the house...yeesh. Thanks so much for hosting the Blog Fest!

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  5. A day late...oops. My seed inventory is a little scarce now. Great idea!

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    1. Well, Janet, you know if there are ever any seeds you are looking for--I can probably set you up! ;-) Just let me know!

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  6. Julie -- my seed stash is so old I wouldn't want to chance it. This is such a great idea too.

    Love your blog design! Thanks so much for visiting. :)

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