Fifth Annual Seed and Scion Swap Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Decatur Library and Decatur Rec Center Featuring Tor Janson

Gardeners of all experience levels are invited to share seeds and scions (cuttings from fruit trees) with experts, members and friends of the Wylde Center and Park Pride Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, at the Decatur Library (215 Sycamore Street) and the adjacent Decatur Recreation Center (231 Sycamore Street). The event will begin at the Library at 2:30 p.m. with a talk by Tor Janson, collections curator for the Seed Savers Exchange. Following his presentation, attendees may swap seeds and talk to gardening experts at the Rec Center from 2:30 – 4 p.m. The event is free to the public, although a $5 donation is suggested.

www.wyldecenter.org/seed-and-scion-swap/

“This annual event joins local gardeners with others across the nation who gather each year in January to exchange seeds, ideas, scions, and information,” said Stephanie Van Parys, executive director of the Wylde Center. “The Seed and Scion Swap is a great way for gardeners to hear from one of our country’s foremost heirloom plant experts, meet each other, learn what varieties grow well in this area and have the chance to take home some seeds they might not have planted before. This year, we are excited to welcome Tor Janson, who will speak about identifying and saving heirloom seeds. Tor manages the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) genebank collection of over 20,000 varieties and also oversees several related projects, including the SSE's evaluation program and collection origins research effort. I think our attendees will be very interested in learning about the work of the Seed Savers Exchange and how they can participate as home gardeners.”

The Seed Savers Exchange was founded in Missouri in 1975 with seeds from just two heirloom plant varieties. Today, the organization is located in Winneshiek County, Iowa and boasts over 20,000 plant varieties and 13,000 members who grow heirloom varieties in their own gardens and share seeds. Its mission is to conserve and promote America’s culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations by collecting, growing and sharing heirloom seeds and plants. To reach gardeners outside the organization’s membership network, the staff publishes an annual seed catalog featuring over 600 varieties. Seed sales help fund the SSE’s education and preservation work. www.seedsavers.org

At the Jan. 22 event in Decatur, experts will be on hand to talk about how to save seeds and how to graft cuttings. Participants will be able to choose from heirloom seeds and scions, seeds from local gardens and even purchased seeds. Those who bring seeds to share may set up a table with their offerings, and are encouraged to talk to participants about their plants and gardening experiences. Attendees can expect to find seeds for tomatoes, summer vegetables, flowers, herbs, winter vegetables, bulbs and miscellaneous seeds and cuttings. Seeds will be packaged in envelopes with labels containing the name of the plant, cultivar, date seeds were purchased or saved, planting instructions, days to maturity, growth habits, special details and contact information for the person who provided the seeds. Those who have not saved seeds to share are welcome to participate and may choose to bring purchased seeds to add to the assortment.

The Wylde Center’s Fifth Annual Seed and Scion Swap will be held in partnership with Park Pride. There is no charge to attend, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance at www.wyldecenter.org/seed-and-scion-swap/.

About the Wylde Center

In 1997, an idea took root in the Oakhurst area of Decatur, Ga. Neighbors Sally Wylde and Louise Jackson envisioned a community garden where children could learn about the natural world and enjoy hands-on gardening activities. With the purchase of a half-acre of property at the corner of South McDonough St. and Oakview Road, the Oakhurst Community Garden was born. Supported by members, foundations, corporations and donors, and celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2017, the non-profit has was re-named the Wylde Center to honor its co-founder and better encompass its expanded range of properties and programs. The Wylde Center oversees five distinctive greenspaces, directs a year-round educational program for all ages, hosts social events and directs the Decatur City Schools’ Farm to School Program. Staff and volunteers engage children, families and individuals in activities designed to develop creative skills in sustainable urban living, organic gardening, health and nutrition. Despite its robust growth, the Wylde Center has stayed true to its original mission of cultivating vibrant greenspaces for everyone to enjoy and inspiring communities of environmental stewards. www.wyldecenter.org.