On Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Merriweather Home + Market, at 25 S. Elm St., will host its second annual seed swap, and everybody’s welcome.
Merriweather Home + Market’s owner, Erin Hanson, said the seed swap includes many varieties of heritage seeds, which have been grown in the area for years and have become adapted to the region, climate and are more resistant to diseases.
In addition, the produce that grow from these heritage seeds are healthier to consume as they haven’t been sprayed by pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
The swap will be hosted on Merriweather Home + Market’s front patio by Avalon and Russ Gulley from Vibrant Earth Seeds, who Hanson said “will be sharing lots of seeds and a wealth of information.”
“They provided so many seeds last year, and we had an amazing time,” Hanson said.
Last year, 40 individuals from the community participated in the swap.
“Last year was really great because so many people, new faces I had never met before came to our event, some of the having seeds and some not,” Hanson said.
“It’s like generations of seeds and knowledge,” Hanson said. “That was probably my favorite part of last year, meeting new people and having an opportunity to get wisdom from people who have grown some of their favorite things year after year and tell us how to grow them successfully.”
Hanson shared that Vibrant Earth Seed’s are drought-tolerant and are grown in the region without pesticides. They also have a 99% germination rate.
The Gulleys grow produce for a living, something that Hanson said is invaluable at an event of this sort.
“This is what they do for a living,” Hanson said. It’s nice to be able to ask questions from people who do is as their job and not just a hobby.”
To participate in a seed swap, members of the community show up to the event and can trade seeds with other growers, or even just take seeds to add to their gardens.
Those who attend do not need to bring seeds to trade or have prior knowledge of seeds, gardening or anything of that nature.
Hanson emphasized that all are welcome, and that people will be on hand to help with the process of picking seeds.
Those who do bring seeds are asked to label their bag of seeds with the type and growing/care instructions.
Hanson added that in today’s economy and rising prices, growing your own garden with produce can help with the price of the grocery bill, as well as making connections with others in the community.
“I think it’s a really great opportunity for people to come and meet people that have similar interests and meet people who are master gardeners or beginner gardeners. All can learn from each other and share their knowledge,” Hanson said.
