Seed Swap Guidelines

GEB Seedy Saturday Guidelines

Please arrive a little before the swapping begins to set up any seeds that you are bringing.

Bring your seed in containers that can be opened so people can take what they want and not more. We also have containers and envelopes. Bring small containers (envelopes, pill bottles, etc.) to take seed away in. If you bring bulk seed, please provide a spoon or scoop, and label your bulk seed container so no one takes it!

Bring any seed you like, but we encourage people to bring heirloom varieties and varieties you have saved yourself and know to grow well in the area. Seed saved from hybrid varieties will not grow true to type. Do not bring GMOs, please (these are still rare for garden cultivars, but are beginning to show up).

Place your seeds on the appropriate table. Please provide as much information as possible about your seed: species, variety, conditions in which it grew, strengths & sensitivities, maturation time, sprouting time, etc.

Take only the amount of seed you intend to plant.

Growing Ester’s Biodiversity will provide pens, tape, paper plates for sorting, scrap paper, some small envelopes and containers, and some educational materials (brochures, posters, information on seed saving) etc.

Tables are organized by plant family (some tables may have two families):

1. Amaryllidaceae: onion family

chives, garlic, leeks, lilies, onions, shallots

2. Apiaceae (Umbelliferae): carrot family

anise, asafoetida, caraway, carrots, celeriac, celery, chervil, coriander/cilantro, cumin, dill, fennel, lovage, parsley, parsnips

3. Brassicaceae: cabbage/mustard family

cole crops: bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustards, radishes, rutabaga, tat soi, turnips, watercress

4. Chenopodiaceae: goose-foot or spinach family

beets, lamb’s-quarters, quinoa, spinach, Swiss chard

5. Compositae: lettuce or daisy family

artichoke, cardoon, celtuce, chicory, dandelion, endive, escarole, Jerusalem artichoke, lettuces, salsify, scorzonera, shungiku, sunflower

6. Curcurbitaceae: pumpkin/squash family

cantalope, chayote, cucumbers, gourds, luffas, melons, pumpkins, squash, watermelons, zucchinis

7. Gramineae (Poaceae): grass family

bamboo, barley, corn, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, sugarcane, wheat

8. Lamiaceae: mint family

basil, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, nettles, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme

9. Leguminosae (Fabaceae): pea and bean family

beans, chickpeas, clovers, favas, lentils, lupins, peas, peanuts, sweet peas

10. Solanaceae: nightshade family (potatoes/tomatoes)

chilies, eggplants, husk/ground cherries, nicotiana, peppers, petunias, potatoes, schizanthus, tomatillo, tomatoes

11. Other: Polygonacea (rhubarb, sorrel, buckwheat), Tropaeolum (nasturtiums), etc.