**UPDATE: EVENT IS BACK ON!** The Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Union County Welcome You to Our Online Seed Swap Event during January 15–31, 2021.

This online Facebook Event will be held during the last two weeks of January, with two physical locations set up for in-person meetings* at the Union County and Waxhaw Farmers Markets on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 10 a.m.–noon.

*This is set up to be a “safe” meeting location for seed sharers to swap seeds only. There will not be seeds available for general trading at the “Ask a Master Gardener” tables, but Master Gardener℠ volunteers will be available to answer your gardening questions.

Start seed swapping this Friday on the UCEMG Facebook page! If you do not have a Facebook account, don't fret! You can send your list of seeds to share and/or ISO seed requests to kc@kristynaculp.com. Kristyna will post your requests to the Facebook page and send any replies to your post back to you.

In addition to online seed trading, we will host two public meetups for in-person “safe” swaps here. (NOTE: seeds will not be available at these tables.): Union County Farmers Market in Monroe on Saturday, January 30 Waxhaw Farmers Market on Saturday, January 30. The Master Gardener volunteers will have an “Ask a Master Gardener” table at each market from 10 a.m.–noon that you can use as a common, public meeting place.

General Guidelines for your FB seed posts

-Include your location and zone if you are outside of Union County, NC (Zone 7B/8A). -Type the list of seeds you have to share and wish to find. -Include a brief description with your seeds. For example, are they native, heirloom, common, variegated, new variety, hybrid, organic, etc? Did they come from Sow True Seed, Park Seed, Burpee, etc? What is the date collected or expiration date? -Include the common name and botanical name if you know it. -Include special instructions, such as: Are you willing to send free seeds if the person sends you a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE), or will you meet in person to make the trade? -Update your online list regularly if you run out of a certain variety or have new seeds to share. -When a trade is agreed upon, contact the Seed Sharer and work out the delivery details. -If you share seeds in-person, please practice social distancing, wear masks, and meet in safe public locations. -If you use the postal system, send seeds in a padded envelope and write “non-machinable” on it to keep seeds from being crushed by postal machines.

 Example Posts

SEEDS I HAVE TO SWAP Flowers: Mexican Sunflower – Orange Perennial zone 7B 36" Black Eyed Susan – Common Perennial, 24"-36" Looking for: Unusual okra seed (no Clemson, Emerald), Pineapple tomato, ginger mint Will mail or local Union County trade.

LOCAL, UNION COUNTY TRADE ONLY
Looking for African basil.
Seeds I have to trade: Tennis Ball lettuce (Bakers Creek), Hill Country Red okra (heirloom), common basil

NOTE: Please do not ask for free seeds, or your request will be deleted. This free seed swap is for trading locally in and around Union County, NC or via snail mail.