2025 Seed Swap
2025 Seed Swap Wrap-up : A Day of Sharing, Learning, and Growing
The much-anticipated 9th annual 2025 Seed Swap, hosted by the Master Gardeners Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) and the Virginia Cooperative Extension, took place Saturday, February 1st, at a new, larger venue at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Boscobel Rd. The event, which ran from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, saw a record turnout as attendees exchanged seeds, tips, and knowledge, creating a vibrant atmosphere fueled by a shared passion for gardening.
Upon arrival, participants were greeted with an impressive selection of seeds ranging from flowers and herbs to vegetables and other delightful surprises. The seed tables were constantly replenished, ensuring that everyone could leave with something new to enhance their gardens.
In addition to the seed exchange, the event featured a variety of informative workshops and a keynote lecture. Master Gardener volunteers led sessions on composting, mulching, and winter sowing, equipping participants with valuable skills to bring back to their gardens. The keynote lecture, titled “Kick the Invasive Exotic Gardening Habit with Great Native Plant Alternatives”, offered attendees a fresh perspective on how to create more sustainable gardens. For families, the event also included a kids' section where younger attendees could create their own fairy gardens.
The Seed Swap also provided a platform for local community groups to showcase their work. Bees, trees, historic gardens, and other related initiatives were represented by community partners, highlighting the many gardening-focused organizations that are actively involved in the area. We were proud to feature displays spotlighting the ongoing community projects that our Master Gardener Volunteers contribute to throughout the year. It’s clear that our local gardening community is both vibrant and strong!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our generous 2025 event sponsors. Our annual Seed Swap would not be possible without their invaluable support: American Meadows, Baker Heirloom Seeds, Bright Farms, Burpee, C&T Produce, Colesville Nursery, Gardening Gays Farm, Earl’s True Value Hardware, Hart’s Seeds, Hudson Valley Seed Co., James Madison Garden Club, Mary’s Heirloom Seeds, Meadows Farms, Peaceful Valley, Prairie Moon Nursery, Sow Right Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, Tractor Supply, and Victory Seed Company. A very special thanks goes to our host, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who graciously shared their space with the community.
Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for the 10th annual Seed Swap. We eagerly anticipate continuing this beloved tradition in the years to come! Visit our website for more information. www.mgacra.org
Kirstin Nason, Master Gardener Volunteer
Sincerely,
Susan Gingrich Joan Pope Kirstin Nason
Susan [email protected]
Joan [email protected]
Kirstin [email protected]
Upon arrival, participants were greeted with an impressive selection of seeds ranging from flowers and herbs to vegetables and other delightful surprises. The seed tables were constantly replenished, ensuring that everyone could leave with something new to enhance their gardens.
In addition to the seed exchange, the event featured a variety of informative workshops and a keynote lecture. Master Gardener volunteers led sessions on composting, mulching, and winter sowing, equipping participants with valuable skills to bring back to their gardens. The keynote lecture, titled “Kick the Invasive Exotic Gardening Habit with Great Native Plant Alternatives”, offered attendees a fresh perspective on how to create more sustainable gardens. For families, the event also included a kids' section where younger attendees could create their own fairy gardens.
The Seed Swap also provided a platform for local community groups to showcase their work. Bees, trees, historic gardens, and other related initiatives were represented by community partners, highlighting the many gardening-focused organizations that are actively involved in the area. We were proud to feature displays spotlighting the ongoing community projects that our Master Gardener Volunteers contribute to throughout the year. It’s clear that our local gardening community is both vibrant and strong!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our generous 2025 event sponsors. Our annual Seed Swap would not be possible without their invaluable support: American Meadows, Baker Heirloom Seeds, Bright Farms, Burpee, C&T Produce, Colesville Nursery, Gardening Gays Farm, Earl’s True Value Hardware, Hart’s Seeds, Hudson Valley Seed Co., James Madison Garden Club, Mary’s Heirloom Seeds, Meadows Farms, Peaceful Valley, Prairie Moon Nursery, Sow Right Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, Tractor Supply, and Victory Seed Company. A very special thanks goes to our host, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who graciously shared their space with the community.
Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for the 10th annual Seed Swap. We eagerly anticipate continuing this beloved tradition in the years to come! Visit our website for more information. www.mgacra.org
Kirstin Nason, Master Gardener Volunteer
Sincerely,
Susan Gingrich Joan Pope Kirstin Nason
Susan [email protected]
Joan [email protected]
Kirstin [email protected]
2025 Photos by Ester Streusand
******************************************************************
**********************************************************************************
A Few Seed Pack Rules:
Please LABEL your seeds/plants with the common name (at a minimum) and the date.
Please DO NOT BRING any hybrid seeds as they will not grow true.
Please DO NOT BRING any invasive or noxious plants—see below for lists
Click for the invasive plant list for VA: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/invsppdflist
Click for the federal list of noxious weeds: http://www.invasive.org/species/list.cfm?id=16
Please LABEL your seeds/plants with the common name (at a minimum) and the date.
Please DO NOT BRING any hybrid seeds as they will not grow true.
Please DO NOT BRING any invasive or noxious plants—see below for lists
Click for the invasive plant list for VA: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/invsppdflist
Click for the federal list of noxious weeds: http://www.invasive.org/species/list.cfm?id=16
| do-it-yourself_seed_envelop_directions.pdf |
| avery5260labels_202__insert_year.pdf |
Seed Swap 2024 Blew Expectations Out of the Water
The 8th annual Seed Swap hosted by the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) on January 27, 2024, according to one guest, “blew all expectations out of the water!” The public showed up an hour early and waited for the doors to open with over 300 guests in attendance. More people than ever saved seeds and brought them to the swap in addition to over 600 pounds of seeds that were donated. Organization this year reached a new high with color coded table cloths on the expanded seed tables along with signs, which allowed guests to immediately see where the seeds they were looking for were located. Seeds disappeared quickly and once again herbs and vegetable varieties were especially popular. Watch on this website, www.mgacra.org, for videos and information showing how you can save seeds and package them to bring to next year’s seed swap.
The items in our book/magazine and miscellaneous swap areas were well received and found a new home. Our two speakers shared information on companion planting with herbs and pruning for a healthy landscaped and received high ratings from attendees (go to "Educational Recordings" to view presentations). Another popular area was the children’s activity area where over 75 fairy gardens were created. Thank you to all who supported MGACRA’s 2024 Seed Swap! Join us next year on January 25, 2025!
The items in our book/magazine and miscellaneous swap areas were well received and found a new home. Our two speakers shared information on companion planting with herbs and pruning for a healthy landscaped and received high ratings from attendees (go to "Educational Recordings" to view presentations). Another popular area was the children’s activity area where over 75 fairy gardens were created. Thank you to all who supported MGACRA’s 2024 Seed Swap! Join us next year on January 25, 2025!
2024 Seed Swap Photos
by Lynn Ellis
Please Patronize our Seed Swap Sponsors
Burpee: www.burpee.com
Colesville Nursery: www.colesvillenursery.com
Earls True Value Hardware: https://stores.truevalue.com/va/fredericksburg
Hart Seed: www.hartseed.com
Gardening Gays Farm: www.facebook.com/KingGeorgeGardeningGays/
Meadows Farms Nurseries in Fredericksburg: https://www.meadowsfarms.com/hours-locations/fredericksburg/
Territorial Seed Company: www.territorialseed.com
Tractor Supply Company: www.tractorsupply.com
James Madison Garden: https://www.facebook.com/groups/513736422372388
Burpee: www.burpee.com
Colesville Nursery: www.colesvillenursery.com
Earls True Value Hardware: https://stores.truevalue.com/va/fredericksburg
Hart Seed: www.hartseed.com
Gardening Gays Farm: www.facebook.com/KingGeorgeGardeningGays/
Meadows Farms Nurseries in Fredericksburg: https://www.meadowsfarms.com/hours-locations/fredericksburg/
Territorial Seed Company: www.territorialseed.com
Tractor Supply Company: www.tractorsupply.com
James Madison Garden: https://www.facebook.com/groups/513736422372388
2024 Seed Swap Preparation
7th Annual 2023 Seed Swap
MGACRA’s 7th annual Seed Swap on January 28, 2023 was a rousing success! Close to 200 people attended the seed swap with some coming from as far away as Montross and Hanover. An abundance of seeds were brought in from attendees which kept our seed packaging committee busy for most of the event. Seeds were grouped by categories of flowers,
herbs, and vegetables and then again by specific variety. Most seed packets disappeared quickly. Herbs and vegetable varieties were especially popular and we are anticipating expanding our requests for seed donations as well as the seed give away area in the seed swap itself. Watch here on this website for upcoming videos and information showing how you can save seeds and package them to bring to next year’s seed swap. Not only were seeds swapped, but the items in our book/magazine and miscellaneous swap areas were well received and most items found a new home. Our two speakers shared information on quick fixes for disturbed soils and winter sowing and received high ratings from. attendees. Another popular area was the children’s activity area where young and older created fairy gardens to take home. Thank you to all who supported MGACRA’s 2023 Seed Swap! Join us next year for an expanded version on January 27, 2024!
herbs, and vegetables and then again by specific variety. Most seed packets disappeared quickly. Herbs and vegetable varieties were especially popular and we are anticipating expanding our requests for seed donations as well as the seed give away area in the seed swap itself. Watch here on this website for upcoming videos and information showing how you can save seeds and package them to bring to next year’s seed swap. Not only were seeds swapped, but the items in our book/magazine and miscellaneous swap areas were well received and most items found a new home. Our two speakers shared information on quick fixes for disturbed soils and winter sowing and received high ratings from. attendees. Another popular area was the children’s activity area where young and older created fairy gardens to take home. Thank you to all who supported MGACRA’s 2023 Seed Swap! Join us next year for an expanded version on January 27, 2024!
Photos by Walter Hamm
2023 Seed Packaging Event
****************************
6th Annual Seed Swap, 2022
Photos by Sean McLaurin
Tips on Saving and Sharing Seeds for a Seed Swap:
http://info.plantsmap.com/journal/saving-and-sharing-seeds-for-a-seed-swap
http://info.plantsmap.com/journal/saving-and-sharing-seeds-for-a-seed-swap
Seed Packet Preparation 2022
photos by Susan Kenney
Please Support our 2022 Sponsors
https://www.victoryseeds.com/
https://territorialseed.com
https://www.seedsavers.org/
https://parkseed.com
https://meadowsfarms.com/locations/fredericksburg
www.facebook.com/groups/513736422372388/posts/
https://stores.truevalue.com/va/fredericksburg/7943/
https://www.burpee.com
