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Good to grow: Annual seed swap is a kind of cultural exchange program By TAHREE LANE BLADE STAFF WRITER The sharing of seeds is an ancient tradition, and helps define a group of people. "Seeds are, in a sense, suitcases in which people can transport their cultures with them," says Mike Szuberla, coordinator of Toledo Grows, host of tomorrow afternoon's free seed swap at Toledo Botanical Garden's Crosby Conference Center. "Many families have brought their favorite seeds on tremendous journeys." Latino gardeners, for example, have saved hot pepper seeds. Asian immigrants and African-Americans from the south often grow the same varieties of leafy green vegetables their ancestors did, such as turnip, kale, mustard, and collard greens. The word "culture," he notes, is linked to the word cultivation, which means preparing the soil for planting. Thousands of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, many of them rare varieties, will be shared at tomorrow's free event, which begins at 2 p.m. with a talk by Vicki Gallagher, 577 Foundation horticulturist, about how to save heirloom seeds. The exchange of seeds will begin at 2:45, says Mr. Szuberla. People can bring seeds, bulbs, and tubers such as cannas, and even houseplants to share. "There are many, many varieties that are sort of endangered varieties and the way to preserve them is to get people to grow them, eat them, and save the seeds," he says. "I make a point of trying to get diverse seeds." Look for as many as 50 varieties of tomatoes, including Cherokee Purple, Green Zebra, Arkansas Traveler, and Silver Fir. Toledo Grows, the community-gardening outreach program of Toledo Botanical Garden, receives thousands of donated seed packets each winter. Sometimes, seldom-seen varieties are delicious but don't stand up well for shipping or have odd shapes. "It's an opportunity for people to try something different." Tomorrow, seeds will be grouped at tables where master gardeners will answer questions. Handouts will have information about when and how to start various plants. Green peppers, for example, can be planted indoors now, and peas can be planted outside when the soil can be worked. The swap, which began last year, grew out of Mr. Szuberla's need to downsize. "The original inspiration was office cleaning." As the community-gardening outreach program of Toledo Botanical Garden, Toledo Grows receives thousands of seed packets each winter, donated by companies such as Rupp Seeds, Inc., of Wauseon. Adding to the fun will be music by the Honeytruckers, a local old-time band, and the Syreens, a women's old-time band from the Detroit area. The Seed Swap and talk in the Crosby Conference Center at Toledo Botanical Garden are free and open to the public. TBG is at 5403 Elmer Dr. off Reynolds Road. Information: 419-936-2975 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Contact Tahree Lane at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] IF YOU GO . WHAT: Toledo Grows Seed Swap. The free public event will have vegetable, herb, and flower seeds; master gardeners to answer questions, and handouts to explain when and how to start various plants. . WHEN: Tomorrow. Vicki Gallagher, 577 Foundation horticulturist, talks about how to save heirloom seeds at 2 p.m., and the seed swap begins at 2:45. . WHERE: Crosby Conference Center at Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr. . INFORMATION: 419-936-2975 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 419-724-6075. ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
