Seed Exchange Program

Seed Exchange Guidelines

We received positive feedback after the announcement of the seed exchange, but it will only be possible with donations from you!

Have a look around your garden and think about what plants you enjoyed that you think someone would enjoy growing from seed. Good candidates for the seed exchange:

• Plants that are preferably propagated from seed, such as annuals, vegetables, and perennials that do not divide.
• Rare or usual plants that members might be interested in.
• Ensure plants come true from seed. (e.g. Hybrids do not come true from seed.)

Plants that don’t come true but are likely to produce desirable o ff spring are welcome too. Perhaps you have a clump of spotted hellebores, or an oriental poppy in a beautiful shade of purple. Consider labeling plants now for collection later. It might be hard to remember the colour of the flower once the petals go, or if that plant was a fl at or curly leaved kale.

Collect seeds from the best plants. (e.g. the most robust, or best traits for that plant) Wait until the seeds are ripe – the husks turn papery brown, but before they split and cast the seeds to the ground. If you are donating seeds from fleshy fruit capsules, please separate the seeds from the pulp, and dry. With our wet weather, consider taking seeds in a bit early.

Ensure seeds are dry before storing. Spread them out to dry if necessary. Place in a paper bag, envelop or fold in newspaper and LABEL with your name and contact info, the year, and plant details. Include the name of the plant, and if applicable, colour, height, spread, and any other info you’d like to provide. There is no need to break and separate the seeds from the capsules.