You might have just thrown out this year’s Christmas tree, but it’s not too early to start planning your 2016 garden.
Trade your saved heirloom seeds and pick up some planting tips at the Long Island Regional Seed Consortium‘s second annual Heirloom Seed Swap at Suffolk County Community College’s Riverhead campus next month. The event is set for Saturday, Feb. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Admission is free, though donations are accepted.
Expect informative talks on seed-saving and biodiversity. Experts will be on hand to answer your gardening and seed-saving questions and the swap will include vegetable, flower and herb seeds.
Tubers and bulbs can also be brought to the swap.
Seeds should be clearly labeled with their variety type and species, the year harvested or purchased, a brief description and the source.
Do not bring invasive, hybrid or old seeds that will no longer germinate.
Those who are new to seed saving and do not have any to share are still welcome and will likely be able to take home a limited number of seeds.
For those who are new to swapping, the LIRSC offers this bit of advice on its website: “Taking more than you can use in a year, more than you need, or taking entire jars of seeds is just bad news — don’t be “that person!”
For more information, visit LIRSC.org or email [email protected].
Suffolk County Community College’s Riverhead campus is located at 121 Speonk Riverhead Road, Riverhead.
