Plant and Seed Exchange Day

I got this idea to provide a venue for gardeners in my community, Santa Ynez Valley, Ca. (of the movie "Sideways" fame) to share their excess bounty with others. Has anyone ever heard of doing this as a city-wide event? I am looking for tips and advice. My idea is to increase the love of gardening in my community as well as share plants, bulbs, seeds and gardening publications. I will have demonstrations and activities for adults and children including planting seeds to take home, making garden lanterns, making bentwood trellises, plant propagation, flower arranging, etc. Am seeking donations of seeds as the turn out could be in the hundreds. Would like to make pressed flower bookmarks if anyone has any pressed flowers laying around. Would also like to make available to attendees access to free gardening subscriptions if anyone knows of any. I'm in USDA Zone 8 or Sunset Zone 14. Thanks. This is my first time posting a forum. Excuse the length! I posted it also in Trading Seeds. Is it cool to post in more than one place? Would like to be respectful of the ettiquette.

It's probably best to just post it in one place. I thought I was seeing double when I ran across this one. :) If you're like me, sometimes it's hard to know which forum to put it in.

Thanks, smiln32. I'll heed your advice for next time.

That's an ambitious project you're taking on! I do hope you will have help. If there is a nearby chapter of Master Gardeners their advice could be very helpful. Your Extension agent could help, too. And a 4-H club might even supply some volunteers. Doesn't your area have some commercial seed growers? Perhaps they would consider donating packets if they have unsold supplies. You mentioned other gardeners - have you sounded them out about your plan? If you need a park or other public space you will probably need a permit. When do you plan to hold the event? You might have a larger group of participants in the fall, since many gardeners are busy getting the growing season underway and might be reluctant to take on more activity this spring. Let us know how your plan progresses.

I know its an ambitious plan, but I do have help. I've asked my church to sponsor this and we have a great location and members who are great workers. There are commercial seed growers in Lompoc, a community about 20 minutes from here... I hadn't thought of approaching them. Thanks for the idea. The event is to be held April 2nd, 2005. I've also contacted the local Ag Commissioner, and wish to comply with any regulation. Will keep you posted. Thanks for the reply.

Hope you have a very successful meet and that you enjoy it a great deal.

Please take some pictures! You'll be busy as a bee, so maybe someone can volunteer for snapshot duty. The Chamber of Commerce might help with publizing the event, and a reporter or two from TV and newspapers could do features to spread the news. You're doing a great service for your community - wish I could be there to watch the proceedings!

Will see that some photos get taken to post! I did contact Chamber of Commerce, but they only publicize members' events. ( A membership is $50). I will contact newspapers and the local radio station for community service press releases. Someone suggested local broadcasting cable. I love all these ideas! I saw that the National Gardening Assoc. website had a calendar of events that I could post it on under California gardening events, but I was chicken! I'm considering it, though. They had a category for plant swapping, and this certainly would apply. I'm just not sure I can get the manpower out of my small church if it is widely attended. Guess I need just a wee bit more faith. Will keep you posted. Thanks to all you encouragers out there!