Hold on, gardeners! The time is near. If you’ve spent the cold winter days worrying that spring would never come, take heart: we could have daffodils in just a few weeks, and then our garden dreams will be sowed anew.
Are you fixed up on seeds? Whether you save yours, buy more, have some tucked away in the freezer, others in an old shoe box, and a few odd packs tacked to the refrigerator so you will remember them — you still might need MORE seeds or to trade some for other seeds!
The Wellston Farmer’s Market is hosting a Seed Swap on February 2 at the American Legion Building downtown. It’s from Noon – 3 pm. Market Manager LaShelle Stanley answered a few questions about what to expect at the event.
All About the Seed Swap and the Wellston Farmer’s Market
LRN: What led to organizing a seed swap? Did it sound like something fun to do? (And was it?) Was it part of your farmer’s market mission?
LaShelle: When I became the market manager, I started researching how to run a market. I started out as a vendor. I had no idea what I was getting into. Seed swapping and farmers’ markets seemed like they go together. I wanted to encourage people to grow their own food and flowers. Partly so they would become a vendor at the Farmer’s Market, and I think it’s important to know how to be self-sustainable. This is food. We need it to survive. What do we go to work and earn money for? Food is one of the main things we spend money on. If we can grow our own we can become less dependent on someone else, and it’s good to know where our food comes from. We can enjoy our homes, friends & family more.
The Seed Swap is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors and swap advice as well as seeds. It’s a time to make connections. Maybe meet someone who is great at growing something you are not and vice versa. My grandma was a huge influence in my life. She was born during the 1930s and homesteading was a way to survive, not a hobby. She taught me a lot about being humble and living the homestead life. I truly believe in just being a good human to my fellow humans. We are all walking each other home. So why not sow kindness and compassion not just for ourselves but for all the humans on this planet we share?
LRN: What are some typical seeds that are swapped?
LaShelle: Homestead basic starter pack- tomato, squash, radishes, greens and any herb. Lavender is always sought after.
Are there more vegetables or flowers?
It’s usually vegetables, but flower seeds are gaining traction.
What’s the most common? And what’s the wildest seed that’s ever appeared?
Everyone always wants tomatoes and peppers. One year, someone brought peanuts saved from their garden.
Are seed-swappers mostly garden veterans or are there newbies also?
There’s a good representation of both.
LRN: Do we need to sign up? Bring a table? How do we bring seed packets and do we provide sowing and growing tips or instructions?
LaShelle: This is a free come-and-go event. It’s at the American Legion Post 61 Glasco-Legako, OK on Main Street in Wellston so tables are provided. Yes, any information someone has to accompany their seeds is welcome. Seeds are brought in all kinds of ways. plastic bags, leftover packets, jars. One lady brought of box of onion bulbs. One year I brought a bunch in old pill bottles, the bottles had been washed, of course. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
LRN: Is there anything else I should ask?
LaShelle: Vendor applications for the market will open at the Seed Swap. I usually have some type of garden handout or freebie for the visitors. I want to make this event pleasurable and meaningful. In the first year, four people attended. Now, we see at least 50 to 80 people at each event who travel from as far as Noble and Edmond.
Over the years, seeds have been donated from Lincoln County TSET, Lincoln County OSU EXT Office, and Baker Creek Seeds.
This year the swap is February 2 at the Wellston Legion from 12 pm – 3 pm. I’m hoping that doing it after church will bring more people in 🙂
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