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A colorful selection of seed packets sitting in cardboard boxes.

The 2nd Annual Howard County Seed Share event is in the books! 

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Howard County Seed Share held at HCLS Miller Branch.

by Erica C.

The outdoor temperature of a chilling 25 degrees Fahrenheit did not stop us from gathering at the Miller Branch on Saturday afternoon to plan, learn, and discuss all things gardening. We distributed thousands of free seed packets collected from local gardeners around the county and seeds donated from companies like Baker Creek, Southern Exposure, and Seed Savers Exchange. The offerings included vegetables (from asparagus to zucchini), herbs, perennials (with a focus on native varieties), and annuals.  

Customers look at seed packets laid out on long tables during the seed swap.

There were demonstrations for participants to learn how to start flower and vegetable seeds in milk jugs or compost in their own backyards, and tables to learn more about local greening organizations. Over 300 attendees ranged from budding gardeners and novices to Master Gardeners who have been growing for over 20 years.

The book cover illustrates two cardboard containers of seeds, one decorated with a carrot and one decorated with a pumpkin, with seeds flying between them whimsically, as if the containers are "swapping" their seeds. Surrounding them are several flowers in shades of white, purple, and green, an orange ladybug resting on one of the flowers, and an orange and white butterfly on another flower.

Seed sharing and seed starting are excellent activities for gardeners to work on during the cold winter months in Maryland. When snow is still on the ground and temperatures are icy, germinating seeds under a grow light is a fun, rewarding activity for adults and children alike. If you are interested in these topics, HCLS has a wide array of resources in our collection for you to choose from:

An assortment of gardening books are displayed on a table in the Miller Branch meeting rooms for checkout during the seed swap. The snow covering the ground outside is visible through a meeting room window.

The New Seed-Starters Handbook by Nancy Bubel with Jean Nick

The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving by Micaela Colley and Jared Zystro

The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, Trees, and Shrubs by Robert E. Gough (also available as an e-book from Libby/OverDrive)

Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers by Leslie F. Halleck

The Manual of Seed Saving: Harvesting, Storing, and Sowing Techniques for Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruits by Andrea Heistinger

Seedswap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds by Josie Jeffrey

Grow Food for Free by Huw Richards

Starting and Saving Seeds: Grow the Perfect Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs and Flowers for Your Garden by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener by Jim Ulager

Thank you to the many partners, volunteers, and participants who made this event a huge success. We can’t wait to see you next year.

Erica C. is in her dream role as the Enchanted Garden Instructor at the Miller Library. When she’s not tending to the garden, you can find her cycling along the C & O Canal, experimenting with new recipes from around the world, or curled up with her coffee and a good read.

Picture of a brightly painted fence and marigolds in a lushly green garden, with a painted sign that reads "Edible Landscape" and a smaller one that reads, "A garden of vegetables, flowers, and herbs."

Let’s Share Seeds

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Picture of a brightly painted fence and marigolds in a lushly green garden, with a painted sign that reads "Edible Landscape" and a smaller one that reads, "A garden of vegetables, flowers, and herbs."

by Ann H.

Seeds have been saved and shared since people began growing food. It’s a practice valued by farmers and gardeners worldwide. Every fall, as the weather turns crisp and my plants start to fade and dry, I check for seeds before too many birds have beat me to it. Sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, and beans are some of my favorites to collect. Inside one dried flower head are enough seeds to create a whole garden. Scarlett runner beans that never made it to the plate were left to dry on the vine. Now that they’re crisp and brown, I crack them open and behold beans posing as purple gems eager for next year’s garden.  

Photo shows a woman's hands displaying an opened dried pod full of seeds.

You can reap the bounty of saved seeds at the Howard County Seed Share on January 21. At the Howard County Seed Share participants will be surrounded by vegetable, herb, annual and perennial seeds. If you have seeds, bring seeds. If you did not get to save any seeds or are new to gardening, join us to learn what other gardeners have been growing and take home some seeds. 

Seed exchanges are a terrific opportunity to acquire new varieties of seeds, save money, and reduce seed waste. Sharing seeds is a practical solution to today’s rising cost of living. When gardeners share seeds, they save money while acquiring new varieties of ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Your bounty becomes another gardener’s gift and vice-versa. Seed sharing is a wonderful way to be more self-sufficient and experimental in your garden.  

Sharing seeds is a goodwill gesture that builds community and spreads cultural traditions. When seeds are passed from gardener to gardener, we nurture each other and our diverse cultural practices. Favorite seeds and their stories get a chance to take root and flourish. A seed swap is an ideal setting to learn from one another. Come gather, learn, and share at the Howard County Seed Share. 

January 21 from 2-4 pm at HCLS Miller Branch. Registration begins December 21.

Click here to register and for event details, resources, and tips for saving seeds. 

In partnership with: University of Maryland Extension – Master Gardeners, Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services, Community Ecology Institute @ Freetown Farm, Watershed Stewards Academy of Howard County, Yards Alive! 

Ann is a Master Gardener and the Enchanted Garden Coordinator at the HCLS, where she has worked for HCLS for more than eight years. You can find her smiling in the garden and sharing her passion for plants, nature, and our community.