Exeter Seed Bank is holding its third annual seed swap on Sunday 2 March with hands-on activities, stalls and displays and a programme of talks at two Sidwell Street venues. The event begins at 11am with talks from noon.
Attendees can add to a map showing the locations of Exeter’s growing spaces and groups. There will be stalls provided by local community growing initiatives, with unusual plants and heritage apple trees for sale, and children’s activities including face-painting.
Love Food CIC is providing a cafe with the help of University of Exeter students.
At 12pm local wildflower grower and wildlife gardener Lou Jones will explain how to address wildlife declines and discover how we can make our gardens more resilient during the climate crisis.
At 1pm Fiona Heckels of The Seed Sistas will talk about community medicine garden projects and ways in which medicinal herbs can support community connections.
Composting expert Nicky Scott, author of several books on the subject, will simplify the complex ecosystem involved in compost production at 2pm.
Then at 3pm Jake Corbin of Symbiosis Soil Lab will talk about improving seed and plant health through soil microbe symbiosis, covering methods to make stronger plants at home and in the field.
Exeter Seed Bank aims to share knowledge about seed saving, an ancient craft that is being revived in the face of diminishing seed diversity.
It is creating a seed bank that works in local soils and takes into account other issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change.
It aims to hold organic, heirloom or heritage flower and vegetable seeds, with wildflower mixes to increase the presence of pollinators.
It also programmes events that follow the seed calendar and creatively engage people with the natural world while encouraging environmental stewardship.
The Exeter Seed Bank seed swap takes place from 11am-2pm on Sunday 2 March 2025 at Positive Light Projects in Sidwell Street. Entry is free but donations are encouraged.
The programme of talks runs from 12-3.45pm at The Sidwell Street Bakehouse, two doors up the street.
Talks are free for under-25s with valid ID and cost £5 each plus booking fee for everyone else. Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite.
For more information visit the Exeter Seed Bank website.
