WALDOBORO — The annual Seed Swap Day is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Knox and Lincoln counties Extension, 377 Manktown Road.

The event will begin with a Seed Swap and Saving Seeds Workshop, an introduction to seed saving and swapping, with Master Gardener Jean Vose. Attendees are welcome to bring friends, their favorite saved seeds, catalogues and gardening stories to share. Vose has been facilitating this swap for three years and is an advocate for growing native plants. The program will provide an overview of saving seeds including the history and tradition, why it is important, how seed saving relates to food security, and the best sources for seed, according to a news release from Vose.

Vose is a certified horticulturist and backyard beekeeper living in Nobleboro, where she has created gardens to attract pollinators as well as the other beneficial creatures. The original homestead, established in 1910, features a farmhouse of that era bounded by more than 10 acres of open fields and mixed woods.

The gardens feature vegetables, herbs, ornamental grasses, trees and shady spots. In addition, the gardens are planted with many native plants designed to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Most of her gardens have been established for more than 15 years. She has been a backyard beekeeper since 1986. She keeps and manages four honeybee hives in her backyard apiary for pollination and honey.

Guidelines for swapping seeds: Please do not bring seed collected from hybrid plants, as they won’t grow true to type; no GMO seed; bring any special growing instructions; example: full sun, moist soil, shade; bring perennial, annual or biannual seeds. Envelopes will be provided for seeds and cards for writing seed information.

Bring any information about the seeds including common name/variety, the year the seeds were collected, where they were grown and who grew them and any other information about what makes the variety unique, or tips for growing.

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Vose at 563-7564 or visit extension.umaine.edu.

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