Topic: Sharing seed.

[kenkew]

Not exactly a swap, but; I'm sure most of us end up with more seed than we really want each year. What a waste. Would it be feasible to share in a seed buying co-operative? Postage costs between participants might make it a no-go, but what about specialised seeds that some gardeners save from their own plants? Surely there's an interest there?
( I have over a thousand sweetpea seeds from my first year of growing them last year over here. Every bit of 'empty' grass I come across is gonna get some!...and poppy seed by the trillion!)

[Mrs Ava]

I think it is a good idea Ken.  Something I am occassionally (too many c, s and l's me thinks) involved in thru another site is a seed round robin.  One of them we sent one person x amounts of packets of seeds and a return envelope, then she sorted them so that everyone recieved something different - a lot of work! The other type was hwere one person started and bunged all of their spare seeds in a packet and posted it along with a list of contacts to the next person, the next person could take whatever they fancied, and bung in their spare seeds, and add to the contact list if they wanted, and so on and so on.  I had seeds that had come via Finland, Spain, France and Germany.  Good fun, I do like surprises!  ;D

[kenkew]

I've just swapped some UK bought beef tomm seeds for a sort without a name down on my new plot. These seeds are from this chap's own tom's that he collects every year. I'm interested in seen what I get. You Round Robin idea seems to be a good one, especially for unusual seeds.

[ruud]

Hi kenkew,i swap a lot with american gardners,and i have got now a hugh collection of vegetableseeds.Especially tomatoes and beans,but thats not all i have very rare vegetableseeds,rare for europe.I supose very comman in the states.I made a list from the people i swaped with,some of them are sending me there lattest seeds,i am sending them seeds got from trades overhere.This is resulting in a mass of vegetableseeds almost for free.So your idee of sharing your leftovers is a wonderful idee,why wouldnot we help euch other in getting a lovely allotment. Kenkew this is an intresting side: www.denationaleproeftuin.nl

[kenkew]

Looks like an interesting site, Ruud. And the end result I'm sure must be lekker.

[SFE4R]

Just wish that I could read dutch.  

Good idea though.  Need a central place to store the information and stock.  Can be done.  
Sure we could all think of ways that it can be done online.

Cheers
Simon