National Seed Swap Day

National Seed Swap Day is on the last Saturday of January. At this time, the cold winter winds calm down. It is believed that it marks the imminent arrival of spring and warmth. The time is associated with the flowering of nature, revival, and the appearance of greenery.

History

Nature provides humans with all the necessary products for subsistence. The holiday was created to remind people of values ​​that are often overlooked. In the United States, there is an old tradition of exchanging seeds with neighbors and sharing your love with them.

The idea of ​​creating a holiday came from the editor of the Washington Gardener Magazine, K. Jentz. In the last week of January, she organized the first major seed exchange event. The event took place in Washington in 2006. Quite quickly, the news spread to other states, inspiring local residents.

The exchange of seeds has been carried out since ancient times. Merchants traveled all over the world, met foreigners, shared their own cultures, and brought home “gifts” from other countries. Thus, European plants came to America.

Interesting facts

1. In total, the inhabitants of the United States spend about fifty billion dollars each year on gardening. Almost 50% of survey participants have a personal plot, and a part of this number is engaged in growing their own food.
2. Almost all people who are passionate about gardening do it not only for pleasure but also to get environmentally friendly and inexpensive products.
3. There are thirteen thousand species of plants that are on the verge of extinction.

How to celebrate

Just like in ancient times, you can try to organize a seed exchange. You will have to put together a large event and invite as many representatives of different cultures as possible. Some prefer to send seeds by mail. Not all relatives live nearby, and they will be pleased to receive an unexpected gift. On this day, it is best to eat only fresh vegetables and prepare various dishes from them.

When is National Seed Swap Day in 2025?

National Seed Swap Day is observed on the last Saturday in January each year.

Observations