FHDC

The Flint Hills Discovery Center (FHDC) will host the second annual Manhattan Seed Swap event in conjunction with several community partners on Sunday, February 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. in its atrium and second floor classroom. This come and go event is free and open to the public. Seeds will be available on a first come first serve basis.

Seeds of all types are welcome and will be grouped by category. Tables will be setup in the classroom for vegetables, annual flowers, perennials, native plants, herbs, etc. Seeds can be commercially pre-packaged or harvested.

Seed Swap Guidelines:

• Portion out seeds into “sample sizes” (1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon depending on seed size) using envelopes or small baggies, if you can.
• Label any non-commercially packaged seeds with the plant name, when to plant, when and where it was harvested (if applicable), and any other information needed for successful growing.
• For bulk seed, label the bag so participants can package and label their individual bags.
• Swappers are encouraged to bring their own containers, but a packaging and labeling station will be available.
• Participants are encouraged to take only what they will use this year and take in proportion to what they contribute.
• Everyone is welcome to attend, learn, and take a few samples, even without their own seeds to share.
• Those who do not have seeds to contribute are encouraged to bring envelopes or small baggies to donate for seed packaging and storage.

“Last year was our first event and we had a wonderful response with about 300 people showing up,” says event volunteer Kelly Yarbrough. “We’re looking forward to this becoming an annual tradition in Manhattan that grows over time.”

Volunteers from Riley County Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions. In addition to seed tables, several organizations will have educational information and kid-friendly activities including Sunset Zoo, The Land Institute, Riley County Master Gardeners, the FHDC, and more. Guests can also register to win a gift basket of gardening related items.

The public is encouraged to harvest seeds at the end of the growing season for next year’s annual Manhattan Seed Swap.