Scenes from Spring Seed Swaps Across Rural Kentucky
Plus, more resources to help get started seed saving and plant trading.
On Tuesday, we launched Seedtime Exchange on The Goldenrod, a trading post for central and eastern Kentuckians to swap seeds they have on hand for seeds they want and/or need. The listings are popping up faster than backyard crocuses in February, and I’m giddily anticipating just how many new relationships will be forged and stories written through our green-thumb-style classified ads.
As a way to inspire those who might still be on the fence about the life-affirming, community-building power of sharing shoots and sprouts, today we have scenes from several hope-springs-eternal seed swaps, plant trades and cutting giveaways across central and eastern Kentucky, an interview with one of our favorite local seed-savers and additional resources to help, uh, plant the seeds of knowledge about growing heirloom plants.
Also, let us know: Would it be helpful if we created a map of all the free little seed libraries across the region? Sound off in the comments!
Rowan County Seed Swap
It was spitting some big, wet, early April snowflakes during this shoulder-to-shoulder plant-and-cuttings swap at the public library in Morehead, but with so many perennials, pothos and pretty-little-succulents, spirits were anything but frigid.
Every generation loves swapping plants (and libraries!)—look at those cute little fabric flowers for kids.
Swapped some heirloom tomato seeds for the last yellow primrose…
Baby houseplants, ready to cheer up any room by draping from a hanging baskets.
So. Much. Mint. Just a trough full of tangled mint.
Pothos + Quilts = Ideal Saturday in Appalachian Kentucky
Lexington Seed Swap
A more intimate, city-based gathering hosted by two florists in late March brought out many local greenhouse employees to trade their home stock. Bonus? They had seed-focused activities for little kids—something I always appreciate. Start ‘em young!
Swap seeds, have fun!
Anyone in search of some rainbow chard? Come and get it!
The Short Street space has big plans for upcoming workshops, including flower crown-making and holiday wreathes.
Pikeville Seed Swap
The grandmother of all community-based seed trading events in Appalachian Kentucky, the 2022 Pikeville seed swap was (finally!) back from its two-year COVID hiatus this month, drawing dedicated seed-savers, preservers and farmers not only from around the region, but across the country.
(Appalachian Seed Swap, Pikeville, photo via Paul J. Douglas/Facebook)
Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it for the official event kick-off, the “cutting of the cushaw” (there were three—yes, three!—cushaws ceremoniously sliced this year!) but I caught up later with Whitley County seed-saver Paul J. Douglas for some insights into why the legacy of seed preservation is so important to our hills and hollers.
Sarah Baird: How did you become interested in seed saving? Is it a family tradition?
Paul J. Douglas: My grandfather and my mother saved seeds, so I've always been interested in it.
SB: Do you have a "unicorn" seed that you're looking for?
PJD: I wouldn't mind finding a blue or purple greasy bean!
SB: Do you have a favorite seed discovery?
PJD: I actually have a few favorite seed discoveries, including one that I've been trying to share across the country to keep a promise.
I met a woman online who was a distant cousin while doing a family history search, and she told me about her aunt, Eula Lay, a nice lady in her 90s [who] loved to garden and had been growing this beautiful tomato for decades in Rockhouse Hollow, Tennessee. She went and told her Aunt Eula I’d like to grow the tomatoes. Eula sent me a few seeds on an old handkerchief—they were actually two colors, a yellow and a pink, but I'm just now growing the pink one out to get more seeds. I told Aunt Eula I was going to make her famous for her tomatoes, and she was happy about that.
I was able to get a few of the old seeds to germinate and I named it Aunt Eula’s Rockhouse Yellow. As soon as I multiplied the seeds, I shared [them] with a couple of other people to grow it and share with others. I’m thankful that I was able to keep my promise, and Aunt Eula’s Rockhouse has spread across this country…and maybe to other countries by now.
(Aunt Eula’s Rockhouse Yellow Seeds, photo via Paul J. Douglas)
SB: What’s your favorite part about attending seed swaps and the seed swap community?
PJD: Seed savers are some of the best people you’ll meet in your life. They are so giving and work hard to preserve the few seeds we have left to be able to share with others.
SB: If you could give a person just getting started with seed swapping one piece of advice, what would it be?
PJD: I think the best tip I could give in saving seeds is just like what I say about family pictures: Save a few, and share with other “family members” that way if you lose yours, you know where to get a copy.
Additional Kentucky Seed Swapping Resources
The G.O.A.T. Bill Best’s books, Kentucky Heirloom Seeds: Growing, Eating Saving and Saving Seeds, Preserving Taste: Heirloom Seeds in Appalachia;
Eastern Kentucky Mutual Aid’s new gardening Facebook group;
Pike County Public Library + Hindman Settlement School’s joint seed swaps (coming up again soon!);
Free little seed libraries across the region (once again, let us know if we should make a map!)