Seed Swap to take root Saturday at Woodward H.S.

Pre-packaged seeds for area community gardens at last year’s Seed Swap at Woodward HIgh School in Toledo.

The snow might be thick but spring is just around the corner. The proof? The Seed Swap is Saturday.

Always an optimistic and informative event, it is noon to 3 p.m. at Woodward High School, 701 E. Central Ave. Organized by Toledo Grows for 10 years, 800 people showed up in 2013, and this year, given the epidemic of cabin fever, organizers are predicting even more.

Everyone will receive five tickets, each good for a packet of seeds or other item being given away. People who bring seeds to swap (no older than 2012 and in individual, labeled envelopes), will receive additional tickets. Bulk seeds will not be accepted. Additional tickets may be purchased for 50-cents each. A raffle and a used book sale will help defray costs.

People should bring a bag for seeds and information, including a booklet full of gardening basics.

Three workshops will be offered in the school's theater, beginning at 12:15 with "Gardening in Small Spaces" by Cindy Bench, at 1:15 p.m. with "Unlock the Secrets in Your Soil by Cheryl Rice, and at 2:15 with "Sowing & Growing: Start Your Own Vegetable Seedlings" by Susan Noblet.

Seeds will be distributed in two gyms, and there will be 27 informational booths, such as Wild Ones (which promotes native plants), OSU Extension Office, Lucas County Master Gardeners (who will answer questions), the Rain Garden Initiative, and others. There will be kids' activities, and students from Woodward High School will sell snacks and beverages.

Information: 419-720-8714.

Two other dates frugal gardeners will want to put on their calendars are: April 26, Wood County Plant Exchange (drop off plants at 9 a.m., exchange begins at 10 a.m.) at the Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green. And, May 3, the 10th annual Toledo Plant Exchange begins with 8 to 10 a.m. plant drop off and 9 a.m. workshop on tomatoes, followed by the 10 to 11 a.m. exchange in the parking garage at the Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St. For plant exchanges, people dig up, label, and bring their perennials and gardening-related items in exchange for additional tickets that can be turned in for other plants.

Weed It & Reap, The Blade's shout-out to gardeners, is looking for its 2014 crop of people who like to play in the dirt. We seek gardeners ranging from the youngest to the most seasoned, who dig in plots humble or bodacious, urban or rural, who have their own greenhouse, who nurture unusual content, or take an approach that's off the beaten path. In a sentence, tell us what's unique about you or your garden.

Contact Tahree Lane at: tlane@theblade.com or 419-724-6075.