Seedy Sunday: seasoned gardeners and allotment novices gather at the UK’s oldest seed swap

Gardeners from the city and beyond will gather at Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) next month for the UK’s oldest and largest exchange of seeds.
By Jessica Hubbard
Published 23rd Jan 2020, 11:35 BST
Updated 23rd Jan 2020, 11:37 BST
Plenty of stalls, food, talks, and, of course, seed swaps, will take place at the event.Plenty of stalls, food, talks, and, of course, seed swaps, will take place at the event.
Plenty of stalls, food, talks, and, of course, seed swaps, will take place at the event.

Organised and run entirely by volunteers, Seedy Sunday will return to the city on February 2.

At the heart of the event is the seed swap table, where gardeners exchange seeds or sell their own saved seeds for a donation.

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Chairwoman Kate Harrison said: “Seedy Sundays’s goal is to encourage people to save seed and grow healthy crops and plants that will thrive in local conditions.

Experienced gardeners and allotment novices will gather together to exchange seeds and expertiseExperienced gardeners and allotment novices will gather together to exchange seeds and expertise
Experienced gardeners and allotment novices will gather together to exchange seeds and expertise

“There will be lots of advice available from seed saving experts so even if you have never sown a seed before, or perhaps only have a windowsill to grow on, this is the event to head to if you have decided to grow something green in 2020.”

In addition to the seed swap table, more than 50 stalls will feature at the event; from specialist seed growers, nurseries, and allotments, to community groups and charities.

Alison Everett, who co-ordinates talks at the event, promises an expert line-up. “We have a fantastic line up of speakers including Professor Dave Goulson of Sussex University - a world expert on bees and insects - who will be talking about how we can all do our bit to save insects in our gardens,” she said.

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“Joshua Tutt, a local gardener who created a sensory garden on Monty Don’s ‘Big Dreams small spaces’ for his son Noah, who has Down’s Syndrome, will talk about his personal experience.

The seed swap and gathering has been running for two decadesThe seed swap and gathering has been running for two decades
The seed swap and gathering has been running for two decades

“You can also bring your gardening questions to experts at our own local Gardener’s Question Time.”

Vegetarian food and drink will be provided by the Brighton Junk Food project which saves food from going to landfill.

Coffee from Pro-Baristas will also be on offer and {http://www.teamdomenica.com will be providing cakes.

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Brighton-based Infinity Foods sponsor the event and will be selling their own organic seed potatoes.

Seedy Sunday 2020 will take place at BHASVIC from 10.30am to 4pm. The entry fee is £3 and kids go free.

Established in 2001, the Brighton and Hove seed swap is based on a Canadian initiative which aims to ensure natural diversity and preserve heritage seeds.

More information can be found at the Seedy Sunday website.