MISSION: To give the Calvert County community and the surrounding counties the opportunity to obtain free seeds to beginner and seasonal gardeners. To assist in building a healthy community and gardening knowledge.

ANNUAL SEED SWAP

Date: 3rd Saturday in January

Time: 10AM -1PM

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 seed?

No problem... This is a great fun event to network with other gardeners, try something new, learn new gardening tips & tricks and share & gather seeds with others… Seeds that have been donated by local vendors and the community are given away during this event.

The community has the opportunity obtain 10 packages of seeds per Household (family)

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 can bring unused seeds from purchased packs or seeds you gathered from your own garden. Please divide, package and label your seeds. Only accepting presents to past 2 years seeds.

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

Calvert County Master Gardeners Gardening Information Resources: (7.2021) https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2021-07/CC%20Gardening%20Resourc e%20List_rev%20July%202021.pdf

Extension Home Page: https://extension.umd.edu/

Ask an Expert (Connect to Horticultural): https://extension.umd.edu/ask

MG Gardener Guide MD (2.2012): What to do and When Flyer: https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2021-03/FC-MGPub%20Garden%20A nd%20Lawn%20Guide%20MD%20What%20To%20Do%20When%202-12.pdf

How to Start Vegetables Garden (includes growing in containers and raised beds) https://extension.umd.edu/resource/how-start-vegetable-garden

The University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center's Youtube’s : https://www.youtube.com/user/UMDHGIC

Planning a Butterfly Garden: (3.2021) https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2021-03/PLANNING%20A%20BUT TERFLY%20GARDEN.pdf

PSU Vegetable Seed & Seedings Biology: https://extension.psu.edu/seed-and-seedling-biology

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