Seeds
Give a Little, Get a Little
Batavia's First Annual Seed Exchange
presented by Batavia's Farmers Market ... Planting Green Ideas
Saturday, October 10, 2009
8:00 am to Noon
Start Collecting Your Seeds TODAY!
Jane Gravelle, member of the Planting Green Ideas group of Batavia Mainstreet, is coordinating Batavia's First Annual Seed Exchange this fall. Below are the rules and some wonderful sites she has compiled to help us get started.
Exchange Rules
1. This is a trade, and as such, no money can be exchanged.
2. Nobody wants old seeds. Be sure to share seeds from the most current season possible.
3. Please refrain from sharing or requesting invasive species. They might be beautiful, but they're bad for the environment.
4. Seeds should be packaged in a manner to protect them from excessive light, heat, and moisture. While all of the following information will not always be available, on each package, please list any available information:
- Common Name, Botanical name (if available)
- Year harvested
- Description (picture’s help), Germination and growing information (sun or shade; planting depth; annual, biennial, perennial, etc.)
- Seed Quantity
We suggest 25 seeds per packet or an equivalent measure:
¼ tsp for very small seeds
½ tsp for small seeds
1 tsp for medium seeds
1 Tbsp for large seeds - If you are not absolutely certain of the exact identity of the seeds you are trading, tell the other trader so. Mistakes and disappointments can be kept to a minimum when such communications are made openly and honestly.
5. Exchanges are to be made in good faith by the parties involved. There will be no moderator involved. Nothing is certain in life or gardening, but it's perfectly acceptable to ask the trader any questions about the seeds you are requesting.
Resources and Links for Collecting Seeds
Whether beginner or advanced, the following is a list of links to help guide you through the steps of saving seed.
International Seed Saving Institute (ISSI)
Non-profit, educational organization dedicated to seed saving, education and permaculture. Includes specific seed saving instructions for 27 common vegetables.
http://www.seedsave.org/
Save Our Seed
Seed Production Resources including websites with seed saving instructions, books, and seed sources.
http://www.savingourseed.org/pages/ResourceGuide.html
Daves Garden
This one’s a must for every gardener. Great online tools to help you grow such as:
Plant descriptions, growing instructions, seed saving techniques, gardening Blog, journal, trade lists and trade tracker.
http://davesgarden.com/products/gbw/c/39/
University of Illinois Extension
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/hortihints/0008c.html
Seed Saver’s Exchange
An extensive list of seed saving instructions. Also a wonderful source for heirloom seeds.
http://www.seedsavers.org/Content/instructions.htm
Wintersown.org
For the price of a self addressed stamped envelope, receive FREE seeds and seed saving instruction. A huge variety of heirloom tomatoes and other plants, complete with descriptions and winter sowing techniques and examples.
http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/Seed_Saving.html