Seed swaps can be a vehicle to teach others how to save seed, the importance of seed diversity, heirloom seeds, and other aspects of gardening. Some events exchange more than seeds. Tables may be set up to collect used gardening books, magazines, tools, pots, and nursery catalogs. Some may expand their definition of seeds and allow bulbs, rhizomes, and cuttings. Others include related activities such as learning to make handmade seed envelopes.
Each seed swap is different but usually organizers have established guidelines for the seed such as the type of container to use, the number of seed in each bag, and the information required on the label. Organizers should clarify if commercial seed packages or hybrid seeds are accepted. Although swaps do not want seeds from invasive plants, the organizers should clarify the definition of an invasive plant in their area.
If you are interested in attending a seed swap, ask your local county extension agent or Master Gardeners if they know of seed swaps in your area. If you live in the DC metro area, Kathy Jentz, publisher of the Washington Gardener Magazine and founder of National Seed Swap Day, will host a seed swap at Green Spring Gardens in Virginia on February 7, 2026; and Brookside Gardens in Maryland on January 31, 2026. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. For Green Spring Gardens, register here and for Brookside Gardens register here.
If you are interested in starting a seed swap, visit a few first to see the range of activities that could take place and the number of volunteers required. Read Seedswap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds by Josie Jeffery and the Seed Savers Exchange’s article on How to Organize a Seed Swap. This online article also links to a presentation that Kathy provided at the 2024 Seed Savers Exchange’s conference entitled “Growing Together: Sharing Seeds, Skills, and Stories.” Seed swaps are fun and you come home with plenty of seeds to get you started for the 2026 gardening season.