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Seed Swap 2026

Grow Something New:
Join Our First-Ever Community Seed Swap!

Bring labeled seeds saved from the garden or unopened packets from last year and swap them for new varieties to grow this spring. Scroll down for for seed-packing tips and other FAQs! Free to attend. Please consider bringing a food bank donation. Join demos on seed bombs, winter sowing and microgreens. Visit the Portland Seed Library and shop with River Bend Bookshop. No seeds to swap but still want to join the fun? Thanks to our sponsors below, we will have extra seeds on hand. Refreshments will be provided.


Seed Swap - Frequently Asked Questions

Info About the Seeds

How should I save seeds from my garden?

You can save seeds in brown sandwich bags in a cool dry place until it is time to divide them up into small bags or envelopes. 

How should I package seeds from my garden for sharing at the Seed Swap?

  • Mini plastic zip-top bags or manila coin envelopes make great seed packets. 
  • Organize and label the seed packets with the name of the plant and basic growing information. Growing information includes sun/shade requirements, how tall or wide the plant gets. 

I don't have seeds from my garden, but I have seed packets I did not use last year. Can I still swap?

Yes! Bring any leftover packets of seeds from the last two years to the swap.

I don't have any seeds to swap. Can I still participate?

Yes! Thanks to our generous sponsors - MIgardener, NE Seeds, Burpee Seeds, Harts Seeds and Baker Creek Seeds - we will have extra seeds available. 

Are there any seeds I should not bring to the swap?

  • Do not bring seeds from invasive species. A list of Connecticut invasive species can be found here.
  • If you saved seeds, check if the plant was a hybrid. These may not grow back like the original plant, so please label so attendees can decide if they want to try their luck or not. 
    • Hybrid plants have labels that say "hybrid" or "F1" on seed packets or plant tags. There may also be a trademark symbol (™) or a registered trademark symbol (®) in the name, or the name includes the multiplication symbol (×) before the species name.

Besides swapping seeds, what else is there to do?

Garden club members will be on hand giving demonstrations for how to winter sow, make seed bombs and grow microgreens. The Portland Seed Library will be joining us along with a pop-up shop with River Bend Bookshop. We'll have delicious soups and cookies to snack on during the event, too! We're also asking for donations to the Portland Food Bank (which is located downstairs!) in lieu of an admission charge. 

How the Seed Swap Works

What happens during the swap?

Head on over to the seed swap table with your seeds and organize the seeds you’ve brought with you into the bins provided.

  • Annual flowers A- K
  • Annual flowers L-Z
  • Perennial flowers A-K
  • Perennial flowers L-Z
  • Vegetables A-K
  • Vegetables L-Z
  • Random 

As you move around the area where the bins are located, feel free to browse what’s already there and take what you need. Bins will be updated throughout the event as people attend and add to the stash.


*Poster created in Canva.
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