The Rotary Club of Boorowa’s seed exchange program combines two much loved things – community and gardening. Operating from the Boorowa Community Op Shop from Thursday to Saturday, the seed exchange allows community members to access seeds for free.
A selection of seeds are collected, from which residents can select small amounts to take home and plant in exchange for seeds from their own collections. In effect, they are borrowing the seeds.
Seeds can include locally saved seeds, excess purchased seeds, seeds brought home from another region or country, or excess seeds donated by a seed company. It is anticipated that a portion of the freshly grown seeds will be donated back to the exchange.
The seeds will be stored and made available to others who continue to contribute to the cycle of taking seeds, growing them, and donating a portion back to keep the collection viable, healthy and fresh.
Using a seed exchange is easy and works by the simple philosophy of:
Take – visit the seed exchange and take the seeds you want to grow;
Grow – grow the seeds at home and hopefully enjoy a bountiful harvest;
Save – save some seeds for next year from the healthiest plants and fruits;
Share – return some saved seeds to the seed exchange for the next person to grow.
Seed quantities are limited, so the taking of seeds is strictly first-come, first-served.
While there, donations can be made to the Boorowa Community Op Shop. To date, Bunnings Hardware in Young has donated over 30 packets of seeds to the exchange.
Donated seeds must include the seed name and variety, the year they were collected, and any notes or special information the grower may need to know. Vegetable, flower, and herb seeds are accepted, and all seeds must be dry and in a sealed bag or envelope.