Sac Valley CNPS hosts community seed swap

Got seeds? It’s time to swap!

Fall is a high time for gathering seed from annuals and perennials – particularly California natives – that are now wrapping up their bloom cycle. Gather that seed and share it with others in an old-fashioned Seed Swap, hosted by the Sacramento Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society.

Set for Sunday, Nov. 3, this community Seed Swap will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Shepard Garden and Arts Center in East Sacramento's McKinley Park. Admission, parking and seeds are free.

“Save the seed!” say the hosts. “The California native plant community seed swap is coming this November 3rd. Save your seeds now and swap them with our community. … Come one. Come all. If you don’t have seeds to swap, that’s OK. Cuttings will also be welcome. @hedgerow_farms and @findoutfarms will also be bringing their expertise to the tables. Should be a fun event.”

Bag your seed in clear, zippered bags and label the bags with the name of the plant variety (if possible). Other welcome information: Scientific name, date collected, source (location), propagation info and images.

CNPS notes that these seeds are intended for home gardening. "Please leave wild places wild by not messing with their genetics," the group says.

Besides being a great source of native plant seeds, this event also will be packed with information about how to get those plants to grow and thrive.