Why do we do this?

Seed sharing has become increasingly popular over recent years. Apart from saving money it is a way of trying different or Heritage varieties that cannot be bought in shops because of UK law that says you can only sell certain varieties, which is why all the garden centres and shops sell much the same stock.

Commercial seeds stocks are licensed by government and it is illegal to sell other kinds of seed varieties not on the list.  This list is quite limited and costly to add to, so allows big seed companies to dictate what we can grow. In addition, the F1 seeds sold by seed companies are not capable of being collected and used again after the plant has flowered, so for the first time in history growers have to buy new seed every year.

How does it work?

Everyone is welcome whether they have seeds to share or not. If you take seeds this year we hope you will come back next year, having saved a few seeds yourself. If you have saved seed, please write the variety and year on a packet for example "Tomato Moneymaker 2011" or just "Tomato Cherry Type 2011" if you do not know the name. You can also bring seeds in commercial packets that you have not used, providing they are less than 3 years old. Come and find out how to save seeds - save yourself money, try new varieties and help save heritage seeds.

Entry is free but please consider a donation to cover the costs of the day.

What else will you find?

Information about composting and other gardening related stalls. For example, Once Read books will be bringing their usual interesting selection of gardening, cookery and sustainability related books and Tiverton Beekeepers will be there to answer your questions about bees. Sustainable Crediton will be selling a delicious range of chutneys and jam.

You are also welcome to bring some plants for sale or swap. There will also be a tasty lunch for sale which is a nice chance to sit and chat to friends old and new.

New this year will be music from the Woodsmen, members of Sustainable Crediton's Woodland and Hedgerow Group.

For information on saving seeds visit our website or http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedsavinginfo.html or http://www.seedysunday.org/category_idtxt__about.aspx

You can also join The Heritage Seed Library and get more heritage seeds, growing information and receive the Organic Way  magazine by visiting:  http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/hsl/

Read about seed swapping on our Seed Swapping page.