There will be a Seed Swap at the West Branch of the Aurora Public Library (APL) from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 25. A Seed Swap is just like a potluck, but with seeds; great for both avid and aspiring gardeners. Free seeds will be available, including vegetable, flower, and herb seeds! Participants can bring seeds collected last Fall and bring them to share, if they so choose, but it is not necessary. All participants will go home with many new seeds to try, whether they have something to swap, or not.
The Seed Swap will take place on National Seed Swap Day, which is held in January, so participants have time to start seeds indoors before planting time in the Spring. This event gives participants a great chance to talk with other Aurora area gardeners. Master gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension Service will be available to answer questions and provide expert help to those who are less experienced, or are looking to tackle a big project this year.
March 3, the Aurora Public Library will be host to a follow-up program of sorts, “Planning and Planting a Vegetable Garden.” The program will start at 6:30 p.m., at the West Branch and will be an opportunity for participants to learn about how to make the most of their seeds. It will be a great chance to learn how to best use the seeds you acquired at the seed swap, but you don’t have to have participated at the seed swap to attend. Any one is welcome!
Both seed programs will be led by Master Gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension Service. Master gardeners receive extensive training in horticulture and other topics. In exchange for that education, they volunteer 60 hours to share their knowledge with the community. More information on master gardeners is available on the U. of I. Extension website.
West Branch program coordinator Janet Stephens considers the seed swap an indispensable program at West Branch, and believes it is a great opportunity to connect with other gardeners: “The Seed Swap has become a popular annual event at the West Branch. It’s great fun to go through the many donated seed packets and pick out what you plan to grow this year, and the master gardeners can provide lots of hands-on tips on particular varieties and how to grow them.”
We look forward to seeing everyone at West Branch January 25 when we continue this wonderful tradition!
Miriam Meza-Gotto is communications manager for Aurora Public Library.