Seed and Plant Exchanges

Seed and plant exchanges allow gardeners in the community to come together and share seeds, cuttings, and transplants from their own gardens to swap with others. Organizers state that plant swap rules are easy to follow, and the only real concern is that plants are healthy and have been well cared for.

How do I do a seed exchange?
Is seed swapping legal?
What seeds can you replant?
Can you sell plants grown from seed?
What should I bring to a seed swap?
How do I start a seed library?
Why are farmers not allowed to save seeds?
Is seed saving illegal?
Is it illegal to sell heirloom seeds?
Can you save seeds from store bought vegetables?
Can you take seeds from a tomato and plant them?
How long do seeds last in packets?

How do I do a seed exchange?

How to Organize a Community Seed Swap

Choose a time and place. Depending on how many people you think may attend, it might be coziest to host the seed/plant swap in someone's home or garden. ...
Publicize your seed swap. ...
Invite speakers. ...
Request seed donations from local gardeners or seed companies in advance, to bolster the offerings that people will bring.

Is seed swapping legal?

The state just became the fourth to pass a law making it legal to swap seeds and collect them in non-commercial libraries.

What seeds can you replant?

Quick facts

Tomatoes, peppers, beans and peas are good choices for seed saving. ...
Seeds from biennial crops such as carrots or beets are harder to save since the plants need two growing seasons to set seed.
Choose open-pollinated varieties rather than hybrids.

Can you sell plants grown from seed?

You really can start whatever you like by seed, and just have it available on the customer pick up days! In the fall, think about what you can collect seed from. Look at perennials and annuals. Selling plants you started from free seed just means you earn more bang for each buck.

What should I bring to a seed swap?

To save seed from your garden, use coin envelopes, commercial seed saving envelopes, or craft your own packets. Provide plenty of envelopes, small zipper bags or paper packets for people to carry seed. Many heirloom seed companies sell paper packets for storing seeds.

How do I start a seed library?

How to Start a Seed Library

Present your idea to a local group, such as a garden club or master gardeners. ...
Arrange for a convenient space, such as a community building. ...
Gather your materials. ...
You'll also need a desktop computer with a seed database (or another system for keeping track).

Why are farmers not allowed to save seeds?

Patents are necessary to ensure that Monsanto is paid for its products and all the investments it puts into developing products. This is one of the basic reasons for patents. ... When farmers purchase a patented seed variety, they sign an agreement that they will not save and replant seeds produced from the seed they buy.

Is seed saving illegal?

Legality. While saving seed and even exchanging seed with other farmers for biodiversity purposes has been a traditional practice, these practices have become illegal for the plant varieties that are patented or otherwise owned by some entity (often a corporation).

Is it illegal to sell heirloom seeds?

If you are not selling heirloom plants or their seeds, that is fine. In addition, many heirloom seeds have been around for generations, making them a part of public domain.

Can you save seeds from store bought vegetables?

You can save seeds from heirloom (open-pollinated) tomatoes, peppers, melons, and squash. Now, you probably wouldn't want to waste (that is, not eat) any part of a $6 tomato. But if one happens to go bad, that's great! Tomato seeds need to be fermented (which means they need to rot) in order to become viable.

Can you take seeds from a tomato and plant them?

Working With Tomato Seeds

Seeds from many plants can be saved simply by waiting for seed pods or fruit to dry, then opening them up to collect the seeds. ... The best way to remove this gel covering is to allow the fruits to rot and ferment. In nature, this happens when the fruit falls off the plant.

How long do seeds last in packets?

Seeds in good condition and stored properly will last at least one year and, depending on the plant, may last two to five years.