Seed Swap germinates ideas for spring

The saying might be “April showers, bring May flowers,” but what grows during spring actually began Saturday during the UNR Extension Douglas County Master Gardner’s 2nd annual seed swap.

The last Saturday of January is National Seed Swapping Day, which encourages gardeners of all levels and even those who are not gardeners, to swap seeds and planting tips in reminder that spring is on its way.

“It’s really about bringing the community together and encouraging people to plant, garden and grow in the community,” said UNR Extension Horticulture Outreach Coordinator Jessica Gardner.

Gardner said seeds were donated from community members, Hudson River Sow Right Seed Co. and the Botanical Seed Co.

“We had a variety of seeds donated so people have access to them, and we provided tips and information on what’s good to grow for the area and when they should be planted,” said Gardner.

Seeds of all kinds ranging from vegetables, ornamentals, herbs, and more were available for taking, including seed bombs.

“Seed bombs are a mixture of native seeds mixed together with clay and compost and then rolled up into balls,” UNR Extension Gardener Intern Barb Lorier. “You make it, throw it, and watch it grow.”

Gardner said the seed bombs are a fun way to get youth involved in gardening and that’s exactly what Carson City resident Barb Mathers plans to do.

“I homeschool my kids, so it will be a cool experiment and lesson for them to do,” said Mathers. “They’re going to love throwing them.”

Gardnerville resident Trish Koepnick said she loves to garden but struggles a little with keeping pests away.

“It’s very encouraging to be able to come to get help and have questions answered,” she said. “I know the office is always open for that kind of thing but having an event like this where people can come and get tips and some seeds all in one place made it fun.”

Coming up next is a Master Gardeners four-part workshop series: Plant a Pollinator Garden in a Weekend, which includes classes in Basic Garden Design, Hummingbirds and Butterflies and General Pollinator Gardens. For more information email Gardner at jessicagardner@unr.edu or call 775-782-9960.

The UNR Extension of Douglas County provides educational outreach programs for the community on various topics including agriculture and gardening through the Master Gardener classes and more. For more information visit https://extension.unr.edu/douglas.aspx or call 775-782-9960. The UNR Extension Office is located at 1325 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville.