January 27th
Seed Exchange Day
Seed exchange is part of our history and was one of the first commodities to be traded. The first official Seed Exchange Day was held on January 26, 2006 in Washington DC. Since then, it has always been held on the last Saturday in January. It's a day when gardeners can get together and exchange seeds from their best plants.
Seed sharing can be a great family tradition, gift, and way of recycling. In the Czech Republic, there is a public Facebook group with over 7000 members dedicated to seed sharing and gardening discussions. There are also seed libraries, where people can freely exchange excess seeds from their gardens. These libraries have been growing in popularity, with over 230 of them now in the Czech Republic. The initiative aims to promote the free sharing of seeds and gardening practices, with a focus on organic and chemical-free seeds. The idea has a global impact, as it helps preserve biodiversity and promotes a healthy relationship with the soil. Seed libraries are often located in cafes, libraries, community gardens, and shops. The principle is similar to libraries - what is borrowed should be returned. There are three key factors that affect seed germination: moisture, temperature, and sowing depth. Seeds need moisture to germinate, and soaking them in water can help speed up the process. Soaking should last for one to two days, and the seeds should be completely submerged. However, they should be planted before the sprout emerges from the seed coat.
