Seed Swap and Winter Sowing Workshop

Get a head start on the next gardening season by learning the basics of winter sowing and gathering new seeds.

Seed swap: 10 am – 10:30 am and 11:00 to Noon*
Workshop: 10:30-11:00 am
Shaker Heritage Society Heritage Barn

Winter sowing is a great way to produce seedlings, and you don’t need indoor space or fancy equipment. The workshop will be presented by Schenectady County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners Janet Given Chen and Kathryn Adams Harter.

Before and after the presentation, participants are welcome to bring seeds to swap with other gardeners. Participants are not required to attend both the workshop and seed swap events.  See information below on saving seeds and preparing for the seed swap.

This event celebrates and continues the history of the Watervliet (Albany) Shakers who began a major industry in the 1790s by developing the process of packaging seeds in small envelopes for sale. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the site and take a stroll in the Shaker Heritage herb garden after the program. The event is co-sponsored by Shaker Heritage Society, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County, and Historic Albany Foundation.

This event is FREE! (Donations are appreciated.) Your RSVP will really help us plan the program, but walk-ins are welcome. You can RSVP at Eventbrite, contact educator@shakerheritage.org, or call 518-456-7890, x3.

Preparing for the seed swap
* What to bring:  Your seeds, labeled (see below).  Please note how OLD the seeds are.
Small jars, empty and washed pill bottles, or envelopes to take seeds home.  We will have some supplies available.

Here are labels and envelopes to use for your seeds.

* Rules of the road:
Can I bring seeds leftover from commercial packets?        Yes, just note the date.
Can I bring seeds from hybrid plants?         We’d rather you didn’t, since they usually do not produce the same plant.
Can I take seeds even if I don’t have any to offer?         Yes, we are glad to help other gardeners.
Is there a limit to what I can take?        Take only what you can use.

Resources on saving seeds:

https://seedsavers.org/learn/seed-saving/ and https://seedsavers.org/storing-seeds/

https://extension.sdstate.edu/how-store-leftover-garden-seeds

Seed for the Garden – Virginia Tech

Guide to Seed Saving, Seed Stewardship & Seed Sovereignty from the Seed Ambassadors Project

NOFA Natural Farmer Winter 2011-12 issue includes articles on organic seed saving from the Northeast Organic Farmers Association.

Vegetable Seed Saving Handbook – free seed saving handbook by Jack Rowe