‘Seed Swap Day’ for home gardeners includes local event in Smithfield
An upcoming community event will match home gardeners with seeds along with some education on how to get the most out of them.
While the idea of a seed swap is nothing new, Shelbey Huber, the owner/farmer of Hilton Farm II in Smithfield, has been helping to organize them locally for two years.
“A lot more people in the past few years have wanted to get into home gardening,” Huber said, adding that she’s found it has been more difficult for them to get their hands on better quality seeds – beyond those offered by big box stores – without getting too expensive.
As Huber spoke with more and more gardeners that keep their own library of seeds, she decided to hold a seed exchange where someone can donate a pack of seeds or make a monetary donation, and leave with a variety of seeds along with knowledge of how to grow them.
Last year, Huber said her farm organized five different seed exchanges, attracting a total of 800 people from out of the state.
She said, so far, she has one seed exchange planned for Jan. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Smithfield VFD. That date coincides with National Seed Swap Day.
Those interested can donate seeds, plant starts, nursery trays, soil, fertilizer, nursery pots, plant cuttings and morte.
“Truely come as you are,” Huber said. “Just bring a packet of seeds or we can take donations.”
The community as well as vendors are welcome to attend.
“I think we get a lot of people extremely surprised with the variety,” Huber said, adding that the most popular seeds people are seeking out are for peppers and flowers. “There are so many different varieties you can’t find at the stores. There are herbs and flowers that people didn’t know can be grown in our area.”
Huber said there will bet two more swaps this year, one from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 2 at Angie’s Flowers in Connellsville and from 3 to 6 p.m. May 1 at Harmony Acres in Perryopolis. Additional information on upcoming swaps can be found on the Hilton Farm II Facebook page.
Anyone interested in participating in the seed swap in Smithfield on Jan. 27 who would like to donate seeds or other goods can call Huber at 724-562-9235.
Huber said they prefer all donations be collected prior to Jan. 25 to give the organizers time to prepare, separate and label the seeds.