Seed Swap Donations

Seeds that are swapped may include locally saved seeds, excess from purchases, or donations from seed companies. Most seeds will remain viable for 2-4 years if kept in a cool, dry place, out of the light. If you’re planning in advance, you might be able to get packets donated from local garden centers, especially if they have any left from last season. Include your event information or flyer with a brief written request, and be sure to ask early!

Usually, participation at a swap is free, and attendees are not required to bring seeds, but they are always encouraged to bring any extras they may have to donate or trade. Swap organizers may have seeds already prepped for the swap, and new arrivals will just be added in. Other swaps ask that swappers with donations arrive early, or drop off seeds in advance of swap day, so that they can be organized.

Request that participants label their donations – at least showing the variety (both common name and scientific name are very helpful!) and when it was collected. Older seeds (more than two years since harvest) typically have lower germination rates. If they can bring a photo of the plant, even better! 

If you want to exclusively offer heirloom, native, open-pollinated, community-collected, and/or organic seeds, make sure to let everyone know ahead of time. If your event is open to all seeds, including hybrids, that’s perfectly fine, just make sure swappers know that seeds collected from hybrids don’t necessarily grow true to type. Seeds from beans, peppers, peas, tomatoes, and cauliflower are the easiest to save because these crops are self-pollinating. Plants like squash, melons, and corn, may cross-pollinate with nearby plants and produce seed that is a hybrid of two varieties.

The Swap Setup

Often, seeds are sorted and set out among tables by type. Think of a seed exchange like a garden potluck where everyone lays out what they brought, and they get to try some of everything. The basic setup requirements would be a few tables to lay out seeds, and maybe some chairs. For example, there may be separate tables for vegetables, fruits, herbs, annual flowers, perennial flowers, and a miscellaneous section for things that don’t fit neatly into a category. Create signs so that it’s easy for swappers to know where to put what they bring, as well as to find what they might be interested in. If you expect a lot of participation, consider breaking down the seed tables into sections: e.g. tomatoes, beans, peas, greens, root vegetables; cut flowers; perennials for sun or shade.

To help gardeners decide what’s best for them, have growing information available if possible – sun and water requirements; mature size; advice; notes about flavor or size. If donors have lots of information about a variety they are bringing, even better! For example: “Green Zebra Tomato: open-pollinated, heirloom, saved from last season, indeterminate growth habit, about 70 to 80 days to maturity, heavy producer, medium-size fruit, good slicer, tart flavor, attractive green and yellow stripes.” 

Advise attendees to bring baggies, markers, pens, and paper for their seeds and notes, but be sure to provide extra supplies. Have small envelopes available for swappers to put their selections into and writing utensils for labeling. Coin envelopes, tiny zip-top bags, or glassine envelopes work great for small amounts of seeds. If there is a large quantity of a certain type of seed, it may be best to have them in a jar or small dish with a spoon or scoop so that swappers can take just the right amount for their garden.