Seed swap via letter

Anyone interested in participating? A relatively quick way to send and receive seeds to bulk our collections. Enclose the seeds between a napkin, or letter and send off as you would a standard written letter. I've done this several times, no problems.

So who's interested? Let's get this going.

Post up what you have available and everyone else follow-up.

Seeds I have at the momento: Broccoli raab, buckwheat, carolina wonder pepper (bell), spaghetti squash, acorn squash, golden midget watermelon, catskill brussel sprouts, green globe artichokes, and a few others...

i haven't had broccoli raab in years, I would love to try some again next spring..

Brenda Groth wrote:
i haven't had broccoli raab in years, I would love to try some again next spring..

Would you like to swap? I hope we can get some transactions goin... People may find a variety they're lookin for and be willing to swap another sought after seed.

Funny, I was thinking along similar lines just the other day, missed this thread. Actually, I was wondering why there isn't a more formal permaculture seed library in North America? Borrow seed and return it multiplied. Most seed libraries getting started these days are local, which makes sense, but a repository of specifically permie plants would be an incredible resource. I just joined the Seed Library of Los Angeles (SLOLA), but no reason we couldn't do one virtually. A bit more complicated than "seed swap via letter", but in the long-term (and aren't we thinking long term?) I think you will put more seeds in more people's hands with something that is more organized rather than ad hoc.

I think it would be absolutely awesome for a beginner permie to be able to borrow a set of 20 - 30 types of seeds, including green mulch, edible weeds, perennial veggies, pioneer trees, etc. and have a great head start on a system, rather than having to research plants all over the net, order from 3 or 4 seed catalogs and pay, perhaps hundreds of dollars for genetic material that is already present (and being saved) in the permie community.

More seeds in more hands means more resilience (what if your seeds don't germinate one year?)

I also think this would support the spread of permaculture - because once people got seeds they would be on the forums asking for help and sharing their experience. Might even fit in somehow with Paul's Evil Empire (P.E.E.).

Anyway, I'm happy do a quick seed swap this winter, but do believe a Permaculture Seed Exchange (PERMASEX?) would be worthwhile. I think there was one a while back out of north carolina, but I think it may have fizzled.

HAVE: (short list, hoping to have a lot more next season)

Malabar Spinach, red (basella alba)
Asian Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)
Shiso, red (perilla)
Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
Japanese Persimmon, unknown variety
Moringa Oleifera (just a few seeds)

WANTED: (longer list)

GREEN GLOBE ARTICHOKE!
Golden Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
Goji Berry, any variety
Sweet peppers - long-season or somewhat cold tolerant varieties - ideally peppers that have been overwintered and are in their second season
Garlic Chives
Any perennial onions or garlic
Okinawan Spinach (Gynura crepidioides)
New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides)
Giant Lamb’s Quarters (Chenopodium Spp.)
Tree Basil, East Indian Basil (Ocimum gratissimum)
pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)
siberian pea shrub (Caragana arborescens)
Chayote
Paw Paw
Fava Bean
Red Clover
Fennel


Seeds I don't get by trading, begging or foraging, I will buy from seed catalogs and grow for seed next season.

Great thread! I usually have some stock of the nice, easily saved regulars in my garden. I'm always interested in trades, but for any USA Permie regulars who have over 30 posts I'm happy to just send some out and pick up the postage (just drop me a private email). Available this year:
buckwheat, white icycle radish (best greens!), red globe radish, kikuna (edible chrysanthemum), cilantro

I'm back guys...Since the forum overhaul my password wasn't working?

Yes, I have aspirations for this... As with anything, I'd like to start small and 'observe' what transpires.

Tell more of your friends and have them sign-in and post up.

Let's get this movin' like a brushfire in a praire.

Private message the members you'd like to swap with and post here also, if you will.

Lovin' the partcipation. Thanks folk -

Living Wind, this is a great idea. I would be interested in participating!

I'm located in Panama, but have a US address that can be used.
Yukkuri-san, I have some of the things you are looking for, and you have some that I am looking for. Where are you located?

Want:
Anything tropical or Asian
Shiso
Persimmon
Malabar Spinach
Asian Winged Beans

Have:
native (criollo) sweet small peppers
native (criollo) basil
pigeon pea (guandu in Panama)
chayote
paw paw (papaya in Panama)
achiote

From Living Winds List
Want
Broccoli raab, acorn squash, golden midget watermelon, catskill brussel sprouts, green globe artichokes...

Let's make it happen!
Pura Vida,
Lyn @ artfarm

artfarm panama wrote:
Yukkuri-san, I have some of the things you are looking for, and you have some that I am looking for. Where are you located?

I am in Los Angeles, I'll send a PM with address. Seems I need to fiddle with the control panel, because since the software switch, my location is not displaying.

artfarm panama wrote:
Want:
Anything tropical or Asian
Shiso
Persimmon
Malabar Spinach
Asian Winged Beans

Will do. Do you have moringa o.?

artfarm panama wrote:
Have:
native (criollo) sweet small peppers
native (criollo) basil
pigeon pea (guandu in Panama)
chayote

Awesome! Would love seeds for any of those. Don't need the papaya or achiote. I am looking for the north american temperate paw paw, not papaya.

It should be no surprise, but I always find it amazing what happens when we just put out what we have to offer and what we need. Half of my want list is fulfilled already!

Yukkuri-
I'd never heard of seed libraries before. What a brilliant idea. I am definitely in favor of PERMASEX. Although, I'm not it a good position to organize a seed library myself.

Living Wind-
Let's trade. I'll PM you.

HAVE:
-parnsip 'harris model'
-gobo 'takinogawa'
-pokeweed
-fireweed
-evening primrose
-yarrow
-sunflower

WANT
-comfrey
-purple salisfy
-sconzorea
-good king henry
-wood nettle
-camelina
-yellow asphodel
-wild licorice
-annual lupines
-thermopsis

I may order some bulk non-dormant tree seed later. Let me know if you might want to barter for:
-pinyon pine (monophyla or edulis)
-yellowhorn
-blue bean
-siberian pea shrub
-gogi
-northern pecan

-Kyle

Have at the moment:



butterfly/hummingbird mix (blue flax,baby's breath,4 o'clocks,coreopsis,dwarf blue cornflower,california poppy)

wildflower mix (annual blue flax,nasturium, baby's breath, 4 o'clocks, candytuft, cosmos, california poppy, sweet william pinks, evening primose, siberian wallflower, black-eyed susan, calendula, scarlet flax, corn poppy, catchfly, plains coreopsis)

spaghetti squash(s.mexican variety)
japanese buckwheat
round zuchinni
catskill brussel sprouts
red russian kale
green globe artichoke (2-seasons)
early white vienna kohlrabi (delish)
armenian cucumber (melon family)
contender bush bean
golden midget watermelon
spacemaster cucumber (2ft vines)
sc carrot f1 hybrid (clemson uni)
turks turban gourd (edible)
clemson sweetie vine tomatoes (did well in extreme heat)
french breakfast radish (amazing edible greens,done in 25 days)
long purple eggplant (burly)
sc beefsteak tomato
swiss chard bright lights (at least 4 colors)
broccoli rapini/raab (35days succulent heads)
oaxacan green dent corn (flair to the garden)
georgia collards (great cold grower)
anaheim chili pepper (emilio ortega variety)
red speck lettuce (german mennonites)
organic purple coneflower (e,puprera)
velvet runner beans (big blooms)
heirloom lacinato dinosaur kale
mammoth dill (tons of flowerheads)
cosmos variety (yellow,orange, all bright..)
organic renegade spinach (hardy)
organic baby pok choi (30 days)
giant fordhook chard (medium leaves 30-40days,huge at 60)
golden wax bean (steady/productive)
carolina wonder bells (did great this year)


I'm not positive I'll trade all of these, just depends on what you have. I'm running slim and spring will be here before ya know it. So, we'll see.

Kyle, your seeds have been sent.

Psyched to keep this going....
Thanks -

Similar thread getting started on the PRI forum:
http://forums.permaculture.org.au/

yukkuri kame wrote:Similar thread getting started on the PRI forum:
http://forums.permaculture.org.au/

You posted a broad link to the general list of forums?

Let's keep this going.. I can't keep up with this and that.

Peace -

Living Wind wrote:

yukkuri kame wrote:Similar thread getting started on the PRI forum:
http://forums.permaculture.org.au/

You posted a broad link to the general list of forums?

Let's keep this going.. I can't keep up with this and that.

Peace -

Oops! Try again: http://forums.permaculture.org.au/showthread.php?12179-Seed-savers-group

Not that I think anyone should have to keep up with 2 threads on 2 forums, but someone started a thread on the topic, and I figured it was worthwhile to let them know it was already happening, and offer a little cross-pollination.

John, your seeds have been sent out.









Let's continue this seed swapping. Post your have/want lists.

Thanks! -

Does anyone have any of the edible lupin seeds? The only place I have heard of them is in Australia; the ones in Europe need all sorts of processing to become edible. I don't want the usual sort as it's toxic to livestock even though it's a very pretty plant. I'm not even sure it will be hardy enough to grow here but would love to try some.
btw you can start goji plants from the dried goji berries you find in the health food store. I just broke open a couple of berries and planted some seeds from each then ate the rest of the berry. Quite a few of them grew.

I like the idea of a seed swap space, I'm wondering if there's a better way... Perhaps a spreadsheet that has everyone on it, listed in one place so you can see the wants/haves easily in one place. Scrolling down through a super long list doesn't seem helpful. Is there a possibility like this with permies.com or perhaps we explore a google document with people in it?

I am in the Finger Lakes, NY region, and have a fair bit of perennial plant stock available to those who want to come get it... My current plant list can be found here: http://edibleacres.org/services.htm , although incomplete in the listing.

Seed wise, what I have that's interesting includes:
Cardoon
Elecampane
Marshmallow
Orach
"Krepe" (Red Russian x Rape, F3 generation, really promising so far)
garlic bulbils
tobacco

I think a whole bunch more, but can't recall at the moment

I'd like:
Medlar seeds
Any zone 5ish hardy tree/shrub seeds that have useful yields
Other interesting stuff I should know about?

I'll prepare a document when I'm back at my home computer. Believe me, I've thought about it.

I like a few of your offerings..I'll send you a private message with what I'd like to swap.

My list is above, have a look.

Thanks -

I'm looking for Stinging Nettles and Birch Tree seeds.

The only *interesting* plants I have are Common Purple Salsify and Prickly Pear Cactus.

hey, artfarm panama-

i'd really love to get some pigeon peas. I have grown sunflower, and hyacinth beans.
Have some Fla. broadleaf mustard, maybe too. what would you like?

john H. zone 9b Florida, usa.

New list (i got a bucketful)

Have:
daikon radish
small sugar pumpkin
common hulless oats
red mammoth mangel beet
prolific straightneck squash
grain sorghum
anaheim chili pepper
early jersey wakefield cabbage
purple top white turnip
charleston wakefield cabbage
mammoth dill
danvers 126 carrot
premier kale
toyko bunching onion
black diamond watermelon
forerunner triticale
early wonder beet
truckers yellow corn
dundale pea
california wonder bell pepper
bloomsdale longstanding spinach
long island improved brussel sprouts
parris island romaine lettuce
fordhook chard
lucullus chard
vegetable spaghetti squash
harris model parsnip
red cored chantenay
snowball y improved
king of the garden pole bean
oregon sugar pod pea
italian large leaf basil
china rose radish
green flesh honeydew melon
russian mammoth sunflower
dwarf horticulture taylor bean
sweet banana pepper
dark green zuchinni
yamhill white wheat
common grain barley
Juan triticale
hungarian yellow sweet pepper
national pickling cucumber
golden bantam 8 row corn

I have alot of wild evening primrose, catnip, bushel gourd, yarrow, lemon bee balm, pink hollyhock, holy thistle, cilantro/coriander, hartman's giant amaranth, wild burdock.

The evening primrose came up wild in my garden a few years ago, and I saved the seed and produced more plants that produced tons of seed. Whole plant is edible and huge, flowers are delicious, but its a biannual.
The catnip was from a friend, and i now have enough for everyone.
The Bushel gourd was from Baker's Creek. Let me know if anyone finds uses for them.
I'm going to test the yarrow as a ground cover. I put it in tea, and insects like the flowers.
Lemon Bee Balm makes plenty of seeds unlike other bee balms, flowers are loved by everything. Light purple in color. I had up to 7 tiers on some flowers.
I got the pink holly hocks out of an old garden area, i think they could be a an old variety.
I got lots of comments on my Amaranth, because its beautiful, but the seeds are tiny and black. I'm not sure they are considered edible, though I didn't wash them before tasting. I will try that this time.
The burdock came up on its own, and I cant wait to try growing more from its seeds.

here are some more seeds that i have.. but may not have alot of...


feverfew
anise
anise hyssop
toothache plant
summer savory-havent tried growing the seed yet
sheep shear (sheep sorrel).. it's a broad leaf sour plant. my kids cant eat enough of it
chamomile
Echinacea- didnt stratify, shouldnt matter much
Pak choy
Dock- seeds are from some wild dock, i havent grown it myself yet, i always collect the greens wild, excellent green, cook and rinse twice, add bacon grease, lemon, garlic, and salt
ground cheery- it grows wild here, i havent grown it myself yet, delicious when fully ripe
mullen-wild seed, havent grown it myself yet either
mixed petunia
mexican sour gerkin- tiny cucumbers.. kids love
elderberry-wild seed
purple whole peas- the dirt dobbers loved these, they had differnt wasps all over the blooms

i added this the other day to another seed exhange group'
Here is a first draft for our list. compiled from what was ordered/planted last year and some of whats been harvested. all are organic,heirloom,open-pollinated from either Bountiful-Gardens or Southern Seed Exchange and a few friends. some may not still be available i'll have to check a few but 90% should be. i have very few of each type so i'm proposing small trades of 5-seeds for any given type unless otherwise marked,and maybe 4+ varieties at a time to make it sensible


i'm interested in anything not on the list that will grow in my area . especially perennials,medicinals,herbs ,and unusual
also have cuttings of grape,goji,and hardy kiwi(female) im trying to root. any berry cuttings would be great!.

1. Amaranth,red,tall(8’+) (plenty seed saved )
2. American Currant
3. Arugula, Rocket, Greens, Salad
4. Basil, Sweet
5. Bean ,Dragon tongue , Wax
6. Broccoli, de cicco
7. Chard ,Fordhook Giant
8. Cilantro (Coriander, Chinese Parsley)
9. Collard, variegated
10. Cucumber ,Lemon
11. cucumber, boston pickling
12. cucumber, white wonder
13. Eggplant, applegreen
14. Eggplant,Rosita
15. kale, even star smooth
16. leek, American flag
17. Lettuce Arctic King, Butterhead
18. Lettuce Ben Shemen, Butterhead
19. Lettuce Bolt-resistant Mix
20. Lettuce Bronze Arrow, Looseleaf
21. Lettuce Merlot, looseleaf
22. lettuce, bibb ,butterhead
23. Lettuce, ericho, Cos (Romaine)
24. lettuce,Batavian crisphead
25. Lovage
26. Mache , Vert de Cambrai Corn Salad,
27. Miners Lettuce
28. muskmelon, Kansas
29. Mustard, Red Giant
30. Nasturtium
31. onion, bunching, evergreen hardy white
32. parsley, dark green Italian(plain leaf)
33. Pepper Jalapeno, Early, Hot
34. Pepper Sweet Bell Mix
35. pepper Sweet bell,corno di toro
36. Pepper,spice,aji dulce
37. Purslane
38. Rose ,Rugosa
39. Sorrel, French Greens, Specialty
40. spinach, bloomsdale
41. Squash Butternut, , Winter
42. Tomato ,Cherry Chadwick’s
43. tomato cherry ,Gardener’s Delight, Sugar Lump
44. Tomato Mortgage Lifter
45. Tomato, Abraham Lincoln
46. Tomato, brandywine OTV
47. Tomato, brandywine, yellow
48. Tomato, Pearson
49. Winter Savory
50. Zucchini ,Cocozelle

Thanks so much for posting this thread. I had high hopes on another site, but where are the traders? So add my name -- I would also be interested in trading seeds (or more) through the mail. I was inspired by others selections, and so here are my lists.

'especially have'
comfrey seedlings and rootlets
purslane / verdolaga (if I can learn to save the seed)
tamarack pinecones
runnering strawberry crowns
hawthorn seeds, cuttings, or seedlings
artemisia variety seeds
calendula variety seeds
lavender variety seeds
angelica seeds
lovage seeds
savory seeds
marjoram seeds
marsh milkweed
red malabar spinach
'linum perenne lewisii', perennial blue flax
mountain mint seeds\
scarlet runner beans

'especially wanted'
early hot jalapeno pepper
wild leek bulbs
pawpaw seeds
apios americana / groundnut tubers
quamash bulbs
sea kale seeds
'secale montana' perennial mountain rye
opuntia ficus-indica, spineless
dragonfruit cuttings or seeds
'lupinus mutabilis' / tarwi (Andean edible lupine)
oca bulbs
apple mint cuttings
pineapple sage seeds
orange-scented thyme seeds
lemon thyme seeds
named apple cuttings
named pear cuttings
scented geranium / pelargonium cuttings
schisandra chinensis / chinese magnolia vine -- anything
smilax regelii / Jamaican sarsaparilla -- anything
unusual solanums (aviculare, aculeatissimum, capsicoides, laciniatum)

to read the full lists of my 'haves' and 'wants', click here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/trading/list.php?member=summerstripes

Hi I am Kate and I am starting life over in an apt with a 16 ft pattio. It is shaded so I am thinking of growing greens and herbs. I also have spots in the Apt I want to grow things. I am looking for quick growing greens, any onion or garlic family, any herbs that are good for cooking or for a diabetic, peppers esp hot , anything anyone has had luck growiing in a pot , in an apt or in the shade . I have one grow light might have to get another. Any seeds or advice is apreciated. I dont have seeds to trade yet but would you like a homemade book mark? or a scifi book? I do hand crafts including the mentioned bookmarks from found objects (wool, fabric, cardboard, ect) and I crossstich and quilt.

Kate Vickery wrote:Hi I am Kate and I am starting life over in an apt with a 16 ft pattio. It is shaded so I am thinking of growing greens and herbs. I also have spots in the Apt I want to grow things. I am looking for quick growing greens, any onion or garlic family, any herbs that are good for cooking or for a diabetic, peppers esp hot , anything anyone has had luck growiing in a pot , in an apt or in the shade . I have one grow light might have to get another. Any seeds or advice is apreciated. I dont have seeds to trade yet but would you like a homemade book mark? or a scifi book? I do hand crafts including the mentioned bookmarks from found objects (wool, fabric, cardboard, ect) and I crossstich and quilt.

i learned recently there is a youtube gardening community, many of them participate in a free seed giveaway this time of year,
here is the guy who started it i believe. i do not know whether all shared seeds are organic ,open-pollinated or heirlooms so i'd ask if this is of concern to you(hopefully it is)

it's so great that people are doing this ! if i had a decent quantity i'd love to pitch in as well. hm, maybe ill offer amaranth.
as it is ,i do have some to swap so wont be asking for these donations myself.reciprocity is half the fun

I sent out 6 packs Monday!

Wants (for when it gets warmer)

Chia
Jerusalem Artichoke

Thanks all -

Living Wind wrote:I sent out 6 packs Monday!

Wants (for when it gets warmer)

Chia
Jerusalem Artichoke

Thanks all -

yours went out friday i think it was.

i have sunchokes as tubers ,not seeds ,not sure how to mail em? that may be worth just getting at a store if yours stock it
theyre maybe $2 l/b here.

all my goji berry cuttings have rooted and putting on new growth,so those are ready for trades too.

also revamped my seed list. it grew....i think it's better i attach it here as a word document...

a few wants : rooted cuttings of bluberry,cranbery,any other berries or fruiting bushes,vines,edible ground-covers, thornless black/raspberry ,
gourds (bottle/birdhouse, dipper, etc for crafts/instruments). bocking-4 or 14 comfrey.mullein,perennial veg's/herbs, pollinator/beneficial insect attracting flowers.


note:. remove the jpg file extension from this document file..any type of text file type wasn't going through?

I have virginian tobacco seed (several uses other than smoking).
tony

I got my velvet runner beans at the post office this morning.
They are a very welcome addition to my garden.
Down here in Florida I grow (12) months/year. However,
the weather is unpredictable- somethimes extreme- wet or hot.
I look forward to combining my efforts with others in building
a sustainable Permaculture environment.

John H. zone 9b central west Florida

ok Living wind I'm back..

I'll send you out some of the comfrey roots in the growing season when I can get to them..send me an email of your address

the seeds I would love to have from the lists above are:

spaghetti squash
golden midget watermelong
aisian winged beans
persimmon
shiso
siberian pea tree
cardoon
elecampane
hulless oats
china rose radish
juan triticale

that would be cool if anyone would like to send me some:

I also have available Jerusalem Arichoke tubers that I can send in the spring or summer when I can dig them (snow here)..

email to
grothbrenda@yahoo.com

thanks

also would be interested in rooted cuttings of zone 4/5 berries, trees, etc..

most items can be mailed in those flat rate boxes from the PO..

Brenda - I've e-mailed you.

I've sent out a half-dozen letters this weekend. Enjoy your seeds people and I can't wait to receive yours!

Peace to all and thank you -

Looks like there is a pretty cool network going on here. I would like to jump in but not sure of the Rules of Engagement. Is one particular person heading this up?

Jeanine Gurley wrote:Looks like there is a pretty cool network going on here. I would like to jump in but not sure of the Rules of Engagement. Is one particular person heading this up?

I've helped loosely just to keep everyone accountable. I've traded 2 dozen or more times (all successes). I just hope if you say you're going to swap, we both receive our letters. That's all.

I think I'll work on an excel document when I get some more free time. My seed list is more/less the same. I just placed another seed order from bountiful gardens, so I'll have other varieties to swap soon.

I'm in Sunset,SC (close to Clemson) if you'd like to swap.. You'd probably receive my letter in a day or two.

The current 'form' is just posting your "have/want" list...

If this gets any broader in scale, I'll try and regiment it a bit, as to keep it orderly.

So, let's hear from you..
Thanks!!

Hello everyone,

While I've had a garden in the ground for years now, I haven't yet collected any seeds, although I have been seeking out hierloom varieties for a number of years now. I was wondering if anyone had thought to starting on that library program. I, for instance, would gladly agree to send a number of seeds back to individuals who lent me genetic material. A couple of provisios, though: as I am growing in a small urban lot on the North shore of Lake Ontario, there are limits to what I can do. I am also probably looking at one or two guilds in my one space, and donations would have to fit. I would imagine that this would apply to a lot of urban gardeners. I will simply go out and buy hierloom organic seed from the outfit I've frequented for a couple of years, now, www.uharvest.ca, to fill any lack, though, and to anyone in the area, I have bought both seed and plants from them (they had a retail location a block east of my house), and the experience was positive. If people want to make suggestions about guilds, I would appreciate it. I, for instance, find it works well to use oregano as ground cover for tomatoes, and basil growing in between tomato plants to increase local humidity. I find the fragrant herbs deter a lot of pests, and all three taste more, and better, grown in proximity. I would love to know what to grow with raspberries. And I have an Elm on the North West corner of my garden. Any knowledge of elm-based guilds would be right up my alley.

Oh, and while I'm here, what about spore culture? Would it be possible to mail viable spores of edible mushroom species? Is there anyone with such available? This type of thing would be very useful in the fungi forum, where there is a project underway to breed Oyster mushrooms with an increased capacity to break down plastics, whose progress would be greatly accelerated if there were people to whom the project spores could be distributed. I'd like to compost my waste plastic, wouldn't you?

-CK

Thanks George. About 7 years ago I received a very large manila envelope from a lady I met on line. It was so packed with a large variety of seeds that I couldn’t plant them all and gave some away. I was just starting a garden in my new home and didn’t have any of my own to share. I would like to be able to do the same for someone else.
I wasn’t diligent in saving seeds last year but now that I know this thread is an on-going one I will make sure I collect enough to share.