After examining a plastic bag full of seeds, Jason Bringman found what he was looking for.
Bringman works at Chapman’s Greenhouse in Battle Ground, where he plants anything he can find. But on Sunday, Bringman was particularly interested in the bag of lovage seeds, herbs brought to the U.S. by early English colonists after the Romans introduced them in Britain hundreds of years earlier.
While Bringman enjoys planting a variety of seeds, “I’m always interested in the back stories as well,” he said.
Gardeners gathered at the North County Community Food Bank in Battle Ground on Sunday to donate and collect seeds at no cost. A multitude of free flower and vegetable seed packets, plus some bare-root ornamental plants, were available. Nearly all seeds were organic, non-genetically modified or heirloom varieties.
As the “green thumbs” meandered through the food bank and studied over tables full of what they hoped would be prized additions to their gardens, the conversations that arose were often as valuable as the seeds.
“It gives people a chance to experiment without a huge cost impact,” said Kristine White, who has organized the event for several years. “Gardeners are generally a very giving sort of people.”
Dennis Wedam of Vancouver collected horse chestnuts to feed common visitors on his property.
“I have dozens of elk on my property and they like to eat it,” Wedam said.
Another gardener, Stephan Ray of Ridgefield, was hoping to plant a nut tree in a nearby community garden or his backyard. His daughter recently chose a vegan diet, so the family is searching for new forms of protein.
“We like to try different things,” Ray said. “In the summertime, our salads are robust.”
Since the swap started in 2012, participants have been encouraged to donate to the food bank. This year, the organization also benefitted from exposure, White said.
“A little bit more direct benefit,” White said. “There’s an outpouring (of giving) at Christmas time. Now, there’s a new need.”
Liz Cerveny, the food bank’s executive director, said she saw a few of the food bank’s clients perusing the seed selection. Cerveny, also a gardener, views the annual event as an idea-sharing opportunity.
“Gardening is so feeble. You realize you’re not alone,” Cerveny said. “I think each year, you learn a lot more.”
For many of the gardeners, the activity is a family tradition passed down from older relatives.
Bringman, for instance, picked it up 30 years ago from his grandfather, with whom he planted potatoes, carrots and strawberries. Since then, he has expanded his repertoire — including unusual fruits like white strawberries and yellow raspberries.
Sunday was his first trip to the seed swap.
“It’s fun to harvest your own seeds,” Bringman said. “It’s fun having the seed packets, but I like sharing and collecting harvested ones.”
