I know it’s January and we aren’t really thinking about springtime planting yet, but since National Seed Swapping Day is later this wek (January 30), I am in the gardening spirit. Quality seeds can be expensive and seed swapping a low-cost alternative. It is just as the name indicates, a barter or even exchange of different seed types between gardeners.
In the spirit of National Seed Swapping Day I thought you’d be interested to know of some websites that specialize in connecting gardeners that want to swap.
Seed Swaps
Blossom Swap
Garden.org’s Seed Swap
Even if you don’t want a full-fledged garden, consider a few plants, especially if you buy a lot of organic produce. You can likely grow it cheaper than you can buy it.
Your turn: Green thumbs – how do you garden without breaking the bank?
**Photo taken by Urban Organic Gardener
About Carrie Rocha
Thanks for using the photo of my garden. I plan on starting from seed this year, but don’t have any to offer for trade. Are there any places or resources that you can recommend for getting seeds? Thanks again.
I save seeds that I can from all my plants and I swap with my girlfriends that I don’t want and they save seeds also. We also exchange plants when they need to be divided. I try to start some garden plants from seed also. I am feeling Spring right now with all the garden catologs to look at! Thanks for the sites. I will check them out!
LOL….”my girlfriends that I don’t want”
but i understood what u meant
Does anyone know of a good resource (web site/magazine) to check into for starting your garden? Something simple and easy to start with please…Thanks!
I love to save seeds year to year. You can save them in mason jars in your fridge. Seeds last a lot longer than people think. I have had things grow from some as old as five years or more. I usually check germination rate by setting some seeds in a wet paper towel in a bag for several days in a warm place in my kitchen (no light required). If only half germinate then you know that for every plant you want, you should plant two seeds. I often buy them at the end of the season as stores close them out too. The dollar store is even a decent place to purchase seeds, if you can believe it! The lesson, don’t just throw out seeds after a year. Save them and see how they do!
Julie is so right on the spot. Many seeds are viable for at least 5 years, some vegetable seeds (like parsnips) do not have good viability after the first year. I own a vegetable garden consultation business, designed to help people learn how to grow vegetable gardens in their own urban/suburban yards. Often times, with some help designing the garden, home gardeners can be amazed by the bounty that comes from small and special places. In fact there are signifigant savings to be had by growing food at home. Swapping seeds is one of the most ancient forms of community, and there are several resources for locating new and different seed varieties, including a semi-local organization (based in Decorah, IA) called Seed Savers Exchange, check them out at http://www.seedsavers.org. For more information on The Backyard Grocery, visit my website http://www.thebackyardgrocery.com.