What is a Seed Swap?

A seed swap is when gardeners trade different types of seeds with each other. It can take place in person, however, with the Internet, much of it is done online. Typically, the seeds swapped are unusual or difficult to find.

One of the most sought after type of seeds are heirloom seeds. The term means that the seeds weren't tampered with, weren't a result of hybridizing and are a result of open pollination. Heirlooms can be decades old and often provide food that has a superior flavor than the plants used today. Many people strongly believe in using heirloom seeds to preserve for years to come the true-to-original form of the plants in addition to the taste. These are seeds passed down from generation to generation or from one gardener to another.

To organize an in-person seed swap, the first step is to find a place to have it. Next, is to build a collection of seeds people can trade for. To get the seeds and save money, ask for donations from gardeners, farmers, and gardening or seed companies. It's important to label the seeds correctly in addition to listing as much information about them as possible, for example, where they came from and the type of plants they produce. Finally, advertise the seed swap in farmers markets, newspapers, on gardening websites, local town event guides and grocery stores.

Many websites offer forums specifically for seed swapping. To participate, all it typically takes is registering for the website the forum is on. To make the process easier, there is usually a search feature to look for seeds to receive or to look for someone who wants a certain type of seed.

When listing seeds for a seed swap, it is vital to list as much information about them as possible to attract another gardener. List how many seeds you have to offer, where they're from, how they grew and in what environment. In addition, list special information about the original plant, such as whether it is organic or heirloom.

Doing a seed swap is an easier way for gardeners to get the exact type of seeds want, without the difficulty or money otherwise required. Some gardeners may also find seeds for plants they didn't even know existed. Doing the swap is a way for gardeners to connect with each other, especially while having similar interests in specific types of plants.