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+---- Thread: Organising a seed swap!!! (/showthread.php?tid=1810)
Organising a seed swap!!! - Small chilli - 26-01-2023
Not quite sure how this has happened but I’ve been roped in to organising a seed swap table on the 11th March
. As part of a potato day. Both a first for mull as far as I know. Certainly since I’ve been on mull. So I’m thinking
Baskets of seeds on a table and people just bring say 10 packets and choose 10 others ( very similar to our swaps )
Was going to have flowers, brassicas, legumes, roots, salad, tomatoes, cucurbits, alliums, herbs, others .
And a basket of out of date that people can take as many as they like.
Also seeds can be full or part packets and self saved.
Do I need to do anything else?
Want to keep it as simple as possible!! For my benefit mostly
. How do I get a stock of seeds to start the ball rolling? Obviously my seed will be in the baskets, but not sure I’ll have enough. Was going to ask on the local gardening group but if they donate them they won’t have any to swap. Because it’ll be all the same people probably.
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - Veggie - 26-01-2023
How exciting!!
You could try contacting Garden organic/Heritage Seed Library - they always give seeds to the swaps I've been to. Also the big companies - Franchi, Mr F Marshalls, ?Chiltern etc. If you tell them its the first ever seed swap on Mull and you'd like to offer their seeds etc.
Offer "customers" a swap or, if they don't anything to swap. to make a donation.
If you have lots of one seed, split it into several packets before hand.
Big seeds, like beans, are often put on a plate, with a stack of envelopes, so people can take as many as they need.
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - Small chilli - 26-01-2023
Thank you veggie. That’s very helpful. I’ll double check it the first swap. I’d not considered contacting seed companies. Thank you.
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - Veggie - 26-01-2023
I'll have a rummage in my seed heap.
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - Small chilli - 26-01-2023
Thank you
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - Small chilli - 27-01-2023
I’ve had my first yes from a seed company
. Mr Fothergill’s are donating seeds. I’m amazed I’ve had a yes at all . Let’s see how I get on with the other 7 companies I contacted
.
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - JJB - 27-01-2023
That's brilliant SC, it restores your faith in industry (maybe). You're off to a good start. I wish we had a local seed swap.
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - Small chilli - 27-01-2023
Well at the end of business today I’ve had one yes, which I’m over the moon with . 2 no’s and a “you need to ask in autumn”.
So waiting to hear back from another 6 companies. To be honest I’m impressed I’ve had responses from any of them let alone a yes.
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - Veggie - 27-01-2023
You're going to have to tell me who said what.
Have you tried Kings?
RE: Organising a seed swap!!! - Small chilli - 27-01-2023
(27-01-2023, 08:50 PM)Veggie Wrote: You're going to have to tell me who said what.Marshall seeds and Sarah raven said no. Because they have designated charities they give to. Which is fair enough.
Have you tried Kings?
chiltern seeds also have designated charities but do give out to other things/ organisations in autumn.
oh no I’ve not tried king seeds. Thank you.I’ll add them to my list.