Fourth Annual Seed and Scion Swap, Jan. 23 at the Decatur Library and Decatur Rec Center Will Feature Ira Wallace

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, Park Pride and Slow Food Atlanta Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at the Decatur Library (215 Sycamore Street) and the Decatur Recreation Center (231 Sycamore Street). The free event will begin at the Library at 10:30 a.m. with a talk by author Ira Wallace on “Family Heirloom Seeds: Saving Stories, Preserving Biodiversity”. Following her presentation, attendees may swap seeds and talk to gardening experts at the Rec Center from 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. www.wyldecenter.org/seed-and-scion-swap/

“We are very excited to welcome garden blogger, author and heirloom plant expert Ira Wallace to our fourth annual Seed and Scion Swap,” said Stephanie Van Parys, executive director of the Wylde Center. “We’ll be joining with garden lovers across the nation who gather each year in January to exchange seeds, ideas, scions (cuttings from fruit trees), and information. The event 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,” she said.

Wallace, who co-founded Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Seed Company in central Virginia, is also a member of Acorn Community, which farms over 60 acres of certified organic land and conducts variety trials for Southern Exposure. She serves on the board of the Organic Seed Alliance and is the author of The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast.

“The popularity of heirloom plants has increased enormously over the last decade as people have gotten used to these oddly-shaped and colored tomatoes,” said Wallace. “Gardeners and cooks are experimenting with vegetables and herbs from many cultures and rediscovering the fragrant charm of old-fashioned flowers. I plan to speak about how to save seeds from common vegetables, flowers and native plants and discuss why seed saving really matters. I hope to inspire people to start saving and selecting their own seeds for planting.”

At the event, 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. Tables will be set up 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 Fourth Annual Seed and Scion Swap will be held in partnership with the City of Decatur, Park Pride and Slow Food Atlanta. 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. From this small seed of an idea, the Oakhurst Community Garden blossomed and grew, and quickly became one of the area’s most popular gathering spaces, offering individual garden plots, educational programs, a destination for school field trips and other youth groups and social activities for all ages.
Today, supported by members, foundations, corporations and donors, the non-profit has been re-named the Wylde Center to honor its co-founder and to better encompass its expanded range of properties and programs. The Wylde Center oversees four distinctive greenspaces including the Oakhurst Garden, a year-round educational program for all ages, social events and 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. The non-profit has grown from a Decatur-based organization to one that is providing environmental educational services for metro Atlanta. 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.