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 Third Annual Washington Gardener Seed Exchange, hosted by Washington Gardener Magazine, takes place on January 26, 2008 at the Brookside Gardens visitor center in Wheaton, MD. Seed Exchange attendees trade seeds, exchange planting tips, hear expert speakers, and collect goody bags full of gardening treats.
New to this year’s event is the garden book and catalog swap. Participants are encouraged to bring their gently used garden books and mailorder garden catalogs to trade with each other. Any leftover publications at the end of the swap will be donated to the National Agriculture Library in Beltsville, MD.
The first annual Washington Seed Exchange was held on January 26, 2006. After that event’s success, seed swaps in other cities across the nation have joined in celebrating National Seed Swap Day each year on the last Saturday in January.
Subscribers to Washington Gardener Magazine receive a $5 discount off the admission to the Washington Seed Exchange. The event is limited to 125 attendees and is expected to sell out. Registrations are encouraged to send in their registrations by January 20. A brochure with registration form can be printed out from the PDF posted here.
Please help spread the word on this fun, green event!
Is it possible to come to the Seed Exchange as an observer and not a participant? As someone who's never attended a seed exchange, I'd like to get a feel for the event, how seeds are packaged and exchanged, etc before signing up to participate myself in a future year.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to come to the Seed Exchange as an observer and not a participant? As someone who's never attended a seed exchange, I'd like to get a feel for the event, how seeds are packaged and exchanged, etc before signing up to participate myself in a future year.
ReplyDeleteDoug, because the majority of the event's benefits are the expert speakers, goody bags, door prizes, etc. and we are limited to about 100 attendees by the room space, we cannot allow observers at this time.
ReplyDeleteI think if you look through our brochure - posted here: http://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/WG-SE2008.pdf. You'll see our rules and the swap is very simple and we have volunteers on-site to assist you with the packaging, labeling, etc. as well. I hope you wll join us for the Seed Exchange. You would not be the only first-timer or person without seeds to trade this go-round.