High Country Seed & Plant Swap

High Country Seed & Plant Swap

Saturday, 4/22/23 at the Ashe County Farmers Market Pavilion from 2‐5 PM
On Saturday, April 22, 2023, all area gardeners who have saved some seeds, divided some crowns, rooted
some cuttings, stowed some bulbs, or otherwise have plant propagation materials to share are invited to
the Ashe County Farmers Market Pavilion in West Jefferson, NC for the High Country Seed & Plant Swap.
Timed in conjunction with Earth Day this year, the event features an afternoon‐long open exchange of
seeds and plants, with plenty of space to gather, show what you brought, and browse the offerings of
others. Beginning at 2:00 PM, gardeners will be able to set out their own surplus seeds and plants and
view the offerings of others on tables set up in the Farmers Market shelter and (weather permitting)
adjacent outdoor areas. The Seed Swap will continue throughout the afternoon and conclude at 5:00 PM.
The Ashe County Farmers Market Pavilion in West Jefferson, NC is a recent venue for the High Country
Seed Swap, with 2022 being the first year the event occurred at the Market Pavilion. The Market will again
offer participants an accessible, comfortable, and well‐ventilated environment to gather and swap seeds
and plants. Richard Boylan, an Area Extension Agent for Agriculture who has helped organize the regional
Swap since the early 2000’s notes that “Holding the 2023 High Country Seed and Plant Swap at the Ashe
County Farmers Market makes for an even better location for dividing roots and plants like ramps, irises,
and bee balm.”

Gardeners are encouraged to bring any surplus seeds, root divisions, bulbs, corms, cuttings, and plants
they wish to share. Seed swaps operate on the honor principle that gardeners will bring what they can this
year, grow what they get from this swap and other sources, then bring saved seeds and plants from their
2023 harvests to next year’s Seed Swap. Cooperative Extension acknowledges that certain plants and
seeds are valuable enough that growers may wish to formally barter them for other plants and seeds, but
many growers also bring quantities for a “take what you need” free offering. Over the years, some
extraordinary heirloom vegetable varieties have been shared at the Swaps. Ashe County Extension
Director Travis Birdsell recognizes these contributions, saying, “There are unique cultivars of beans,
tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and other staples that do remarkably well in our region. Many of these
have fallen out of catalogs, but are still saved and shared by amazing gardeners in the region.”

North Carolina Cooperative Extension sponsors the event, with support from Ashe County Extension
Master Gardener volunteers and also the Ashe County Farmers Market (ACFM) which is sharing its
pavilion space during the hours following its third 2023 Market Day that morning. Ashe County Extension
Master Gardener Coordinator Blake Williams notes that Extension Master Gardener volunteers will be on‐
site with gardening information and available to answer questions, “Our volunteers are ready to help with
questions about seeds, varieties, pests, cultivation, and other garden matters during the Swap.” The Seed
Swap runs on community involvement, from the many gardeners who bring heirloom seeds and plants
from their gardens, to the assistance from Ashe County Extension Master Gardener volunteers who help it
all happen smoothly. The more participants who bring seeds and other materials to share, the better the
Swap will be. The event is free and open to all gardeners and farmers in the area. No pre‐registration is
necessary. For more information, call the Watauga or Ashe Cooperative Extension centers at 828‐264‐
3061 or 336‐846‐5850.