Elora resident Karry Sawatsky started planting seeds and growing vegetables five years ago, and now she has taken it upon herself to set up a seed swap for the community.

At the start of the new year, Sawatsky noticed that when she went to go order some of her favourite seeds, many of her go-to seed distributors were either sold out, or facing shipping delays and backlogs.

“Then I thought this is even more needed, and also a testament to all the people out there that want to start growing and maybe haven’t before, and so, I decided to start the seed exchange,” Sawatsky said.

People who want to take part can safely drop or pick up their seeds at the Elora Brewing Company, or mail them to Sawatsky at PO box 2995 in Elora, Ontario.

“You put approximately five to 20 seeds, whatever you are sharing in a little packet, and you put some sort of identifying symbol or nickname on it, so you don’t get your same seeds back,” Sawatsky said.

Sawatsky said the exchange is very economical, as sending ten packets of seeds by mail would only cost someone $2 or so, and if someone is to submit 30 packets of seeds, then that would roughly cost around $5.

She said that people can exchange anything they want, whether that be flower, herb or vegetable seeds.

Many of the seeds Sawatsky has received from the community. Photo by Karry Sawatsky.

Sawatsky said there’s many reasons why seed swapping is important, one being having a food secure ecosystem.

“For example, if you go to buy peas from multiple seed companies, there will be the Lincoln variety of pea, and it’s like a tried and true seed, and that’s great, but out of the thousands of available varieties of different fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, we tend to be growing these same varieties,” Sawatsky explained.

She said by exchanging seeds and growing out more heirloom seeds, as well as, different varieties, then people are helping the biodiversity of the whole ecosystem.

Sawatsky said she has been receiving some very kind notes from residents when she gets their seeds, and the response to the seed exchange has been well received.

She added that people have been sharing all kinds of different and unique seeds.

Those that want to take part in the seed exchange have until Feb. 16, 2021.

More information can be found by clicking here.

Karry Sawatsky: 

Sawatsky takes care of this community garden in Elora, Ontario, with the help of others. It’s the size of a tennis court. Photo by Karry Sawatsky.