A seed exchange is a great way to get free or low cost seed. It is also a way to get seed that you can’t buy anywhere else. For years now I have been using these services to expand my collection of plants and I just love them. One of the most enjoyable experiences in gardening is seeing a new species of plant flower for the first time.
So where are these great seed exchanges, you ask? This post provides a list of them.
Seed Exchange – What Is It?
Each exchange works a bit differently but in general, gardeners collect seed, either from their garden or from the wild and submit the seed to the organizing body, who then splits up the seed into smaller packets and makes them available to other growers.
In some exchanges you can get seed without submitting any but the people submitting seed usually have first crack at ordering seeds. In some online exchanges, everybody is asked to submit some seed and you get back seed based on how many types you submit.
My first exchanges were done on line by individuals in gardening forums like GardenWeb. In this case the seed is free except for postage, but the selection is limited to common plants. That is great for gardeners who are starting to grow seed.
More recently, I wanted access to a wider range of seed so I joined various plant organizations. These exchanges are more formalized, usually have a small fee attached including membership, but they offer a much wider selection.
I’ve divided the list of exchanges into two parts; societies (any group requiring some type of membership) and online exchanges.
If you know of a seed exchange that is not on this list, post it in the comments and if it is suitable I will add it to the list.
Seed Exchange Societies
Alpine Garden Club of British Columbia
North American Rock Garden Society
Ontario Rock Garden and Hardy Plant Society
Ottawa Valley Rock Garden & Horticulture Society
Seed Exchange Online
You will need to follow various groups to see if anyone in the group runs an exchange
Started by Seed of Diversity in Canada. Various cities now hold a Seedy Saturday event, where you can exchange seed.
7th Annual Canadian Autumn Seed Exchange
Private seed exchange.
Located in Rochester, New York.
Great American Seed Swap/Trade Project
A Facebook group.
References:
- Photo source; peganum
I host online seed swaps twice a year and post ISOs for one-on-one seed trading for my followers. You can find me at http://www.frugalgardenseedswap.com.
Facebook and Instagram: @frugalgardenseedswap
This reddit group is very active.
reddit.com/r/seedswap
Hello I’m new at this and want to get started in exchanges. How do I get started? I gotta have some seeds to get started, where how do I begin thank you
A lot of the societies sell seeds and you do not have to supply any. Check out the ones on the list.
If you are exchanging with others you need some seeds. You could collect them from other peoples gardens or public gardens.
I belong the the American Primrose Society and I have been the manager of the seed exchange for a number of years. http://americanprimrosesociety.org/
I also am a member of the online Trillium group and the online Arisaema enthusiasts Group.
I went to the link provided and looked through the site – could not find a a page describing the See3d Exchange. If you have a link I would gladly post it.
The pages got uploaded late….here it is. http://americanprimrosesociety.org/component/content/article?id=120
I’ve been participating in this seed exchange for years and have not been disappointed. 7th Annual Canadian Autumn Seed Exchange
https://nickysgarden.wordpress.com/
I have added it to the list.
Hi Robert
OVRGHS, The Ottawa Valley Rock Garden and Horticultural Society has had a great seed-ex for two decades, For several years Kristl Walek kindly hosted it at the much loved Gardens Nort
I’ve added the link.