Seed Swap Or Feeding Frenzy – You Decide

One look at the picture and Feeding Frenzy is what you are likely to call this event.

Chicago Botanic Gardens called it a Seed Swap, but Feeding Frenzy feels right to me. I was among those vying to get our mitts on those seeds. Over 300 people had attended Diane Ott Whealy’s kick-off lecture for her new book ‘Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Saver.’ We relished every minute we could going down memory lane with Diane. Then I think everyone ran, not walked, to get a spot amongst the others who came for the seed swap.

Mark your calendars for the next Chicagoland seed swap event – March 11th at 3 PM. That’s when The Great Chicago Seed Swap is going to happen at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show.

I would have never guessed what a popular event a seed swap was, or that I would have had so much fun. I generally don’t buy many seeds. With Mike growing hundreds of dahlias in our basement each year, we run out of room for other plants. Plus I can’t bear to buy a package of 50 seeds if I just want to try planting one or two of something.

But this event was a game changer. I packed tiny seeds in tiny quantities in tiny envelopes. Just a few pole beans, just a few angel melons, just a few each of several kinds of tomatoes. I also now have heirloom nicotiana – a real get for me as the commercial variety has forsaken fragrance. Actually, I think I now have just a few seeds for every plant known to man and then some.

If you have an interest in seeds, I have two Chicago sites for you:

Check out the blog of Mr. Brown Thumb. Look through his many postings on seeds. Also scroll down to the bottom of his site to learn how to save many different kinds of seeds, and tips for starting seeds. I’ve met him – this man knows seeds.

One Seed Chicago is the other place to go. Each year, One Seed Chicago selects one plant to be the focus of a season-long celebration. Go there to vote for your 2012 favorite – chamomile, basil, or cilantro. They’ll reward you with seeds of the winning herb. Teachers can request a classroom size packet along with an educator guide.

Sunday was also a surprisingly warm day for a pseudo-winter walk. Did you know that the Botanic Gardens is quite lovely when all of those flowers and people aren’t distracting you from the lovely vistas? Who would have known?

A few last reminders…

Vote for my blog early and often at the 2012 About.com Readers Choice Awards.

And please join Mike and I at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show on Saturday March 17th. Mike will talk about dahlias at 12:15, and my presentation will be on Low Maintenance Gardening at 2:45.