Mission:
To provide gardeners of Calvert County and surrounding counties with the opportunity to obtain free seeds. To assist in building a healthy community with gardening knowledge.
ANNUAL SEED SWAP
Date: January 20th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Calvert Library Prince Frederick Address: 850 Costley Way Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Contact: calvertmg@umd.edu
Do you have any seeds that you wish to share? Don't have any seeds? No problem! This is a great, fun, event to network with other gardeners, try something new, learn new gardening tips and tricks, and share/gather seeds with others.
We will have seeds in the following categories: Vegetable (warm and cool vegetables), herbs, native perennial flowers, annual/perennial flowers, and older seeds of all kinds. We will also have Master Gardener representatives from Bay-Wise, and Plant Sale. There will be an information table for any gardening questions. Registration will be at the door, the day of the event.
Bring your packaged seeds you no longer need to the seed swap (saved or bought for 2020-2023). We are not able to take any unpackaged seeds.
Resources
Donate Seeds
Bring your native, vegetable, herb, annual and perennial seeds. We will not accept any seeds from plants that are on the Maryland Invasive Species list.
1. We are accepting old catalogs, gardening magazines and gardening books in good condition.
2. We are only accepting divided seeds; please DO NOT bring containers full of seeds, bulk seeds or large packets of seeds (25+ seeds).
3. We CANNOT accept any seeds from invasive species.
4.. We are only accepting seeds harvested in the past 3 years.
5. Do not bring PVP (Plant Variety Protection) seeds because we are not allowed to swap by law.
6. Do not bring any GMO (genetically modified) or chemically treated seeds.
* You may bring unused seeds from purchased packs or seeds you gathered from your own garden. Please divide, package and label your seeds. We can only accept seeds that are no older than 2 years.
How to create a label
Example of Labels (Below)
*Seed label must have harvest year | Name| Latin Name or Type | Directions
|
Native Seeds (Label) Harvest Yr: 2023 Common Name: Black-eyed Susan Latin Name: Rudbeckia hirta Sun: Full Water: Dry-Moist (Moderate) Height: (optional) 2-3” Habitat: (optional) Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Woodlands' edge, Opening Directions: Direct sow in the fall or late spring. Needs dry to cold stratification |
Vegetables and Flowers (labels) Harvest Yr: 2023 Name: Tenderette Green Bean Type: Bush Bean Sun: Full Water: Moist-Moderate Germination: (optional) 3-6 days Maturity: (optional) 60-100 days Directions: Direct sow after the threat of frost. Sow seed 1"in. deep, 2". apart in rows 3-6 ft. apart, thinning to 4" |
Native Seed labels please note any special seed germination requirements for example Light Germination | Cold & Most Stratification | Scarification
KEY SEED LABELS TERMS:
Sun (Exposure): Full Sun | Part Sun | Shade
Water ( Moisture): Wet | Moist | Moderate | Dry
Maturity (Harvest)
Light Germination: Surface sow: Seeds are very small or need light to naturally break dormancy and germinate.
Stratification: Seeds germinate after sitting out over winter or after a period of cold, moist stratification.
Scarification: Seeds need scarification: To scarify, lightly rub between two sheets of sandpaper before artificial stratification.
LABEL HELP RESOURCES:
“Where to find information for the label”
Native Plants Terms: Seed Stratification, Seed Scarification and Seed Soaking Sheet.pdf Prairie Moon
Germination Code & Seed Starting Basic: https://www.prairiemoon.com/PDF/Germination-Codes-and-Seed-Starting-Basics-22-Dec.pdf
Chesapeake Native Plant Center (MD): https://www.nativeplantcenter.net/
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (TX): https://www.wildflower.org
Missouri Botanical Plant Finder (MO): https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderSearch.aspx
How to Grow Fruit: https://extension.umd.edu/resources#!/category/3/subcategory/813
How to Grow Herbs: https://extension.umd.edu/resources#!/category/3/subcategory/823
How to Grow Vegetables: https://extension.umd.edu/resources#!/category/3/subcategory/82 Planting Vegetable
Chart: (high mowing seeds) https://www.highmowingseeds.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/pdf/2018_Planting_Chart.pdf
Planting Herbs Chart (Fedco Seeds): https://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/herb-chart
Planting Flowers Chart (Fedco Seeds): https://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/flower-chart
Webinars on seed saving
David Gardiner: Seed Sharing and Seed Law-Ohio State Extension: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM0YgyPerXo
Saving Seeds from Flowers Webinar-Seed Savers Exchange: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-G-oVzgRPk&list=PLzNxg5un8z6EVfkbRDiswLYsLBF TSEwmB&index=8
Planning for a Seed Saving Garden-Extension University of Wisconsin (Madison Iron Co): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpwaIPdBckU
Saving Seeds from Peppers Webinar-Seed Savers Exchange: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-wVXSSP8Zw&list=PLzNxg5un8z6EVfkbRDiswLYsLB FTSEwmB&index=13
Tomatoes Seed Saving Webinar: Seed Savers Exchange: https://www.youtube.com/watch?=CXsPOJkI62s&list=PLzNxg5un8z6EVfkbRDiswLYsLBFT SEwmB&index=11
Saving Seeds: Saving Memories, Diversity or Funds?- Smithsonian Gardens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdhtoZ9O0Fw
Seed Savers Webinar Archive : http://www.seedsavers.org/Webinar-Archive/
Seed Saving for Beginners Webinar-Seed Savers Exchange: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngW0eOwkoIM
Seed Saving: Native Plants-UMDHGIC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVEsoq9d78U
Seed Saving: Veggies Webinar- UMDHGIC: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=NVKAdccdPl0
Online resources
Recommended books
COMPANION PLANTING:
Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening by Louise Riotte
Companion Planting for the Kitchen Gardener: Tips, Advice, and Garden Plans for a Healthy Organic Garden by Allison Greer
Companion Planting Secrets - Organic Gardening to Deter Pests and Increase Yield: Chemical Free Methods to Reduce Pests, Combat Diseases and Grow Better by Jason Johns
GARDENING FOR BIRDS & BEES:
100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators Thrive by The Xerces Society
Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects by The Xerces Society
National Geographic Birds, Bees, and Butterflies: Bringing Nature Into Your Yard and Garden by Nancy J. Hajeski, National Geographic Society
SEED SAVING:
The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, Flowers, Trees, and Shrubs by Robert E. Gough and Cheryl Moore-Gough
Derek Fell's Grow This! : a garden expert's guide to choosing the best vegetables, flowers, and seeds so you're never disappointed again by Derek Fell
The Manual of Seed Saving: Harvesting, Storing, and Sowing Techniques for Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruits by Andrea Heistinger and Ian Miller
The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving by Lee Buttala and Shanyn Siegel