Organising events, seed swaps etc

I look forward to the responses you get Cad to your many many questions
As I want to know how a seed swap works, never been to one and they are starting to intrigue me.

Have a browse through Run your own | Seedy Sunday
Should give you some ideas!

Hi VC I did look at that, but it's at allotment level not borough wide, A borough wide one was arranged last year and I hope they will do the same again next year. The local horticultural society gives you tokens for each pack of seed that you submit or you can buy for 50p then use the tokens to buy what you want.

But how formal or informal need an allotment seed swap be. John on our allotment was so chuffed with his elephant garlic he was giving each of us a couple of cloves each, I have saved Parsnip seed so I have been sharing those with my neighbours.

I would have thought you make up your own rules to suit your allotment group!
Set a day, bring seeds/plants, takeaway someone else's.

We've talked about doing this on our site - not happened in any formal way yet but it might. I suspect we'll do it alongside the social BBQ's we do.
I tend to have more of th e 'bonkers' seeds from what I've seen around the plot... (and mine are'nt all that far out...)

Yes, I'd say that's pretty much it. I always go to a seedy Sunday near me..

I take my tomato seeds usually about 8 per bag. Chuck them in the tomato box and take whatever seed packets I fancy. There will be a row of boxes on the table - chillies, toms, squash etc and I choose whatever I want. Ive never had to pay a donation.
The one I usually go to is in feb.

That's what I do too, Scarlet! I always give more seeds than I bring home.
Anyone who has no seeds to swap pays a nominal sum - thinks its £1 for 5 packets but nobody counts.
Some of the allotment associations are there too, with seeds, books, pots etc and sell them cheaply.
I lurve the seedswap days.

I think I went to that

We don't really do formal seed swaps on our site - there isn't the enthusiasm for it Most people buy a few packets a year and stick with them. I tried running a seed circle there last year and it really didn't take off, possibly because I forgot to include opportunities for alcohol quaffing/much cake. There's quite a lot of seed/plant/harvest bartering though, which is easily the next best thing.

I went to the Brighton Seedy Sunday last year and it was fantastic. Definitely going next Feb.
(https://mudandgluts.com/2016/02/08/s...nday-brighton/ if you're interested)

I helped run a local seed swap a few years back (it was intended to be an annual event, but it involved working with hippies and the follow up got cancelled due to artistic differences). A few of us are hoping to get one going at my allotments next year.

A few thoughts/tips I've come up with-

First off, get the word out asap, even if you don't have a fixed date yet. Ideally before seed collecting time (which is a bit late now). From looking at swaps in my area, the first year there isn't that much, but they can build up when people start deliberately saving extra seed for them.

Second, think about what you're hoping to get out of it; is it purely to help plot holders get new seeds? Is it in the hope of building more of a sense of community? Is it partly a fundraiser? They should answer some of your questions about whether you should charge or not.

If you're hoping to bring everyone together a bit more (a big part of the plan on my site, the site is huge and most people only know their little corners), it's probably best not to charge, as that always does put some people off. If you do need to recoup some small costs, a tea (and cake?) stall or even just a donations bucket will probably be enough.

Is it purely for the benefit of plot holders? Do you have enough interested plot holders to make it worthwhile (my site has over 300, see "it's huge" above, so possibly), or are you happy for locals and those from other sites to attend as well? Are you hoping to have others in? If you have only a small site, especially if everyone's been there a while, there probably won't be much to swap, as people do share things around anyway. Allowing people from offsite in does have the advantage that they may bring in stuff no-one onsite grows, which is surely a plus, though it does bring disadvantages and a little more potential for problems.

It is worth hitting seed companies up for donations, the one I was helping with got quite a few free packets of seed out of some companies, which is great for starting the whole things off. They may be a little more keen if it's not just a private site only affair. You do need to have something there before people show up, so if there are a few people who are really keen, consider collecting their donations beforehand, if they're not volunteering to help. I wound up chucking in a load of my own seeds (luckily I'm a total seed hoarder).

We're still looking for a good site for ours, as there is no real community area onsite, at least not yet. It may yet transmute into a spare plant swap later in the year, when there's better weather; maybe we'll have our community space sorted by then!

Good luck with it!

Is it purely for the benefit of plot holders and to try and build a community spirt, they tried having a community plot with the big shed, but as usual only a few people actually did anything on it, then they got the hump and it was given up before I got my plot.

The problem with a large site is that you tend to know the people immediately around you and perhaps those you pass on your way in and out to your plot but nine times out of 10 you are there to work not natter to everyone

The committee are mostly one end of the site in one corner, and we are trying to get others from the other corners and in the middle. There are a number of new plot holders this year and we want to try to assist and encourage them to make a go of their plots, so we have less uncultivated plots to spread weed seeds

The site Rep has done a great job of getting rid of the sub lease tenants that were not cultivating the plots, and chasing the cultivation of plots early and mid season, arranging manure deliveries and he needs support which is why I jumped on the committee.

So we are thinking a BBQ, seed swap, as you say some of us are already sharing seed, produce when we get a glut especially with the newbies who have taken over early and are still clearing to give them some encouragement.

The idea was that the committee members would try and get email contact details of the plot holders so we can contact every one when we have break-ins, manure or woodchip deliveries and the seed swap is part of that larger community building exercise.

With the council staff being replaced with a contractor next year, we anticipate that we will be stronger if we have a better level of communications on the site.

I can't really advise you Cad.
The seed and plant swap I run( on my own cos the others initially involved couldn't commit to twice..or one a year)
My idea is also community minded- Just to try and get the locals to share their excess seeds, plants, advice and just have a fun afternoon.

You'll find there are always takers/users who will abuse the generosity of others, so it's worth trying to create a damage limitation situation with a few suggestions.
You'll soon get to know who are the users, the incredibly generous ones and the shy/ humble ones who don't like to get stuck in!

I have found the tea/coffee ( free) and donated cakes are becoming particularly popular- particularly with the men!

I really hope you success Cad...oh, and be aware, you may well get lumbered with things no one else wants
( best to wander around near the end encouraging peeps to take more....)

The smiles on people's faces is worth every bit of effort

Let me know when it is and I can drop off some seeds to help your stock if you'd like them.

After the success of VCs visit to the Cardiff Seed Swap, I thought I'd find and revive this thread.

Would you like to go to an event like this? There might be lots of other people in your area feeling the same way, just waiting for somebody to take the initiative.

NOGs run both a Potato Day, and a Plant and Seed Swap.

The one I've been involved with is here: https://greeninginbeeston.weebly.com/events.html

It's fairly small, but successful and we cover our basic costs from the donations on the day from people who don't bring anything to swap. Happy to help anyone with suggestions and experience if you think it's something you might be able to do locally.

So who else has been to one, wants to go to one, or would like to get involved in organising one?

I go to another seed swap in Carmarthen which is bigger than the Cardiff one - but, this year, they were on the same day.
The Carmarthen one has a big stall for Tools For Self Reliance Cymru – Working with African Artisans who take donated garden and craftsmen's tools (and hand sewing machines) and refurbish them. Some are sent to communities in Africa but the surplus is sold at various events across the UK. The tools are fantastic quality - well recommended.
Also stalls for local artists and craftspeople and charities like Wildlife Trust.
Something for everyone - and the more variety there is, the better IMO.
I'm sure these are small events in comparison with the Brighton Seed Swaps however!