Gardeners of all experience levels are invited to share seeds and scions (cuttings from fruit trees) with experts, members and friends of the Wylde Center, Park Pride and Slow Food Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Decatur Library (215 Sycamore St.) and the Decatur Recreation Center (231 Sycamore St.).
The free event will begin at the library at 10:30 a.m. with a talk by author Ira Wallace on “Family Heirloom Seeds: Saving Stories, Preserving Biodiversity.” Following her presentation, attendees may swap seeds and talk to gardening experts at the Rec Center from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We are very excited to welcome garden blogger, author and heirloom plant expert Ira Wallace to our fourth annual Seed and Scion Swap,” said Stephanie Van Parys, executive director of the Wylde Center. “We’ll be joining with garden lovers across the nation who gather each year in January to exchange seeds, ideas, scions, and information. The event is a great way for gardeners to hear from one of our country’s foremost heirloom plant experts, meet each other, learn what varieties grow well in this area and have the chance to take home some seeds they might not have planted before.”
At the event, experts will be on hand to talk about how to save seeds and how to graft cuttings. Participants will be able to choose from heirloom seeds and scions, seeds from local gardens and even purchased seeds. Tables will be set up for tomatoes, summer vegetables, flowers, herbs, winter vegetables, bulbs and miscellaneous seeds and cuttings. Seeds will be packaged in envelopes with labels containing the name of the plant, cultivar, date seeds were purchased or saved, planting instructions, days to maturity, growth habits, special details and contact information for the person who provided the seeds. Those who have not saved seeds to share are welcome to participate and may choose to bring purchased seeds to add to the assortment.
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance at www.wyldecenter.org/seed-and-scion-swap/.