When Marjory Wildcraft suggested I start a seed and plant swap during our podcast roundtable on the Permaculture Vine Podcast, the penny dropped. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before! As soon as the podcast finished, I got to work. The first thing I did was jot down potential venues and places in the community where I could hold the event. I don’t know too many people locally, but I made a list anyway. One of the places on that list was Repair and Share Foyle.
Marjory’s idea was simple: put an ad out in your local paper or on bulletin boards, invite people to bring excess seeds and plants, have a cup of tea, and chat. It sounded like a great concept, and I started planning immediately. This also tied in perfectly with one of my permaculture diploma projects, Designing Yourself into Community. As a permaculture designer, I know many people in the industry can feel isolated at times, operating as a one-man band, especially when much of the design work is done alone on a computer. Building networks is so important, and I thought this would be a great way to design myself into the community, provide a service, and meet new people.
Finding the Perfect Partner: Repair and Share Foyle
One of the potential venues on my list was Repair and Share Foyle. They have a workshop where they repair electrical goods and electronics like laptops. They take old stock from businesses, install software, and either resell them cheaply or donate them to causes like supporting refugees. They also hold monthly repair cafes where people can bring faulty items to be fixed for free including clothes, textiles and household electricals. Beyond repairs, they have a library of things—camping gear, electrical goods, event supplies, bulk foods, and even a garden section with tools and a tool-sharpening service. It’s a fantastic hub for the circular economy. As an Engineer, I had volunteered previously on 2 repair events for Repair and Share Foyle.
I happened to bump into Caroline from Repair and Share Foyle and mentioned the seed swap idea. She was enthusiastic straight away. It worked well for both of us—the event would bring increased footfall to the repair cafe, and I’d benefit from their mailing list and network. It gave me a solid starting point and a base audience to work with.
The Seed Swap: A Small but Mighty Success
The seed swap itself was, for me, a great success. Even though only six people attended, I got to chat with each one individually. At one point, I looked around and saw everyone talking and connecting—it was exactly what I’d hoped for. People came and went throughout the morning, some bringing seeds, others bringing plants, and some just came to take some seeds away, which was fine. I provided bamboo trees, strawberries, some red hot pokers for flowers, and a pile of seeds, so it wasn’t just about edible plants—it was about everything.
I made origami seed envelopes, which was a fun addition. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. I met some fascinating people with some potential future collaborators. On a personal note, I got to talk about my podcast and the design work I’ve been doing abroad, which was a nice bit of soft promotion and a way to introduce myself to the community.
Lessons Learned and Plans for the Future
The small turnout allowed for deeper conversations and connections, and I’ve already started planning for next month. I’ll be providing a limited number of beginner seed packs for those who don’t have seeds to bring, and I’m thinking of doing a soil block demonstration to encourage people to move away from plastic seed trays. We’ll plant some seeds live, and people can take them home. I might also do a basic seed-starting demonstration using household items like old mushroom boxes, toilet rolls, or egg cartons.
We’ll be holding seed swaps for the next three months—April, May, and June—before taking a break for the summer. Then, we’ll have a final event in October where people can share freshly harvested seeds from their gardens. I’m hoping to grow the event over time, starting earlier next year (probably February) to get people going sooner.
Why Seed Swaps Matter
This event was a perfect example of social permaculture in action. I got some in depth learning about social permaculture at a course in Void Gallery last year with Alfred Decker. It was a real eye-opener, and I realized I’d been practicing it without even knowing it. That’s also where I met my first client for my permaculture business. The seed swap embodies social permaculture principles—bringing people together, sharing resources, and building community.
Seed swaps are about more than just seeds. They’re about connection, abundance, and resilience. Seeds are so abundant—you get thousands in a packet, and most of us will never use them all. Their germination rate decreases every year, so it’s better to share them and get them growing. Plus, it’s a great way to grow plants that are adapted to your local climate.
Join Us—or Start Your Own!
I’d encourage anyone reading this to attend a seed swap if you see one advertised—or start your own. It doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Just find a venue, put the word out, and get people together. Have a cup of tea, share some seeds, and enjoy the conversation. It’s a small action that can have a big impact.
For me, this event was a step out of my comfort zone. I’m more comfortable online, but meeting people in person was really nice. I’m already looking forward to next month’s swap. If you’re feeling isolated, especially as a lone permaculture designer or gardener, I can’t recommend this enough. Get out there, connect, and grow something beautiful—both in your garden and in your community.
Final Thoughts
Every seed swapped is a step toward a more connected, resilient community. I’m grateful to Marjory for inspiring this event and to Repair and Share Foyle for hosting it. Here’s to many more seed swaps, new connections, and a growing sense of community.
