What Seed Savers Exchange Is

Seed Savers Exchange is a nonprofit organization based in Iowa that collects, preserves, and distributes heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. Members can order seeds from the organization's catalog, save seeds from their own plants, and trade seeds with other members through a network system. The group focuses on plant varieties that are at risk of disappearing — older cultivars that aren't sold by commercial seed companies but have been grown by home gardeners and farmers for generations.

The organization operates as a membership group rather than a retail seed company. When you join, you gain access to their seed catalog, can participate in their seed exchange network, and receive their annual yearbook. The catalog lists thousands of varieties, many of which you won't find anywhere else. Members also contribute to the organization's mission by growing out seeds, documenting what they grow, and sharing results with other members.

Key Takeaways

  • Seed Savers Exchange is a membership organization where you pay an annual fee to access their seed catalog and participate in seed trading with other members.
  • The organization preserves heirloom and open-pollinated varieties that are not sold by mainstream seed companies and would otherwise disappear.
  • Members receive an annual yearbook listing available seeds, can order from the catalog, and can trade seeds directly with other members through the exchange network.
  • You can save seeds from plants you grow and contribute them back to the exchange, helping preserve varieties for future gardeners.

How Membership Works

To join Seed Savers Exchange, you pay an annual membership fee. The fee covers your yearbook, access to the seed catalog, and the right to participate in the seed exchange network. Membership is open to anyone — you don't need to own land, be an experienced gardener, or live in any particular region. Many members are home gardeners with small yards or container gardens.

Once you're a member, you receive the yearbook each year. This book lists all the seeds available through the exchange, describes each variety, and includes growing notes from members who have grown them. The yearbook also contains contact information for other members who are offering seeds. You can order seeds directly from the organization's inventory, or you can contact other members listed in the yearbook to trade or request seeds from their personal collections.

Ordering Seeds Through the Catalog

The Seed Savers Exchange catalog contains thousands of varieties across vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Many are heirloom types — old cultivars that have been passed down through families or communities for decades or centuries. Others are open-pollinated varieties, meaning you can save seeds from them and grow the same plant again the next year (unlike hybrid seeds, which produce unpredictable offspring).

You can browse the catalog online or in the printed yearbook. When you find a variety you want, you order it directly from the organization. Seeds are typically shipped in small packets. Prices vary depending on the seed type and availability. Because many of these varieties are rare, some seeds may have limited quantities, and popular items can sell out during the growing season.

The Seed Exchange Network

The exchange network is where members trade seeds directly with each other. The yearbook lists members who are offering seeds from their gardens — often varieties they've been growing for years or that have special meaning to their families. You can contact these members to request seeds, and they can contact you if you list yourself as offering seeds.

This part of the organization is built on reciprocity and community. Some members trade seeds for free, while others may ask for seeds in return or a small payment to cover postage. The yearbook makes clear what each member is willing to trade and how to reach them. This network is how rare, locally adapted varieties stay in circulation — a gardener in Maine might have a tomato variety that grows perfectly in their climate, and through the exchange, gardeners in other regions can try it too.

Saving and Contributing Your Own Seeds

One of the core purposes of Seed Savers Exchange is to preserve varieties by having members grow them out and save seeds. If you grow a plant from seeds you received through the exchange, you can save seeds from that plant and contribute them back to the network. This keeps rare varieties alive and available to future gardeners.

Saving seeds is straightforward for many plants — you let the plant flower and produce seed, then collect and dry the seeds before storing them. The organization provides growing guides and seed-saving instructions in their yearbook and online. When you contribute seeds back, you can list them in the yearbook for other members to request, or you can send them directly to the organization's seed bank, which preserves them for long-term storage.

What Makes Seed Savers Exchange Different

Commercial seed companies focus on varieties that sell well and are straightforward to ship and store. This means many older, regional, and culturally significant plant varieties have disappeared from the market. Seed Savers Exchange exists specifically to keep these varieties alive. The organization maintains a seed bank with thousands of varieties in cold storage, but the real preservation happens when members grow seeds in their gardens year after year.

Another difference is that most seeds available through the exchange are open-pollinated, so you can save seeds from what you grow. This is different from hybrid seeds sold by most commercial companies, which don't produce true-to-type offspring. For gardeners who want to save seeds and grow the same variety again, open-pollinated seeds are essential — and Seed Savers Exchange specializes in them.

Getting Started as a New Member

To join, visit the Seed Savers Exchange website or contact them directly. You'll pay the annual membership fee and receive the yearbook. When it arrives, you can start browsing varieties and either ordering from the catalog or contacting other members through the exchange network. Many new members start by ordering a few seeds they're curious about, then gradually begin saving seeds from their own plants and contributing back.

There's no pressure to be an informed gardener or to save seeds right away. Many members straightforward enjoy growing unusual varieties and trading with other gardeners. The organization provides resources to help you learn seed-saving techniques if you want to try it. The community aspect — connecting with other people who care about preserving old plant varieties — is part of what draws people to the exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to save seeds to be a member?

No. Many members straightforward order seeds from the catalog or trade with other members and never save seeds themselves. Seed saving is encouraged but not required. You can participate in the exchange at whatever level interests you.

Can I order seeds online, or do I have to use the printed yearbook?

Seed Savers Exchange offers both options. You can browse and order through their website, or you can use the printed yearbook that comes with your membership. The yearbook also includes member contact information for direct trading, which is harder to do online.

Are the seeds cheaper than buying from regular seed companies?

Prices are comparable to specialty seed companies, though individual seed packets may cost more or less depending on the variety and availability. The real value is access to varieties you can't buy anywhere else. Many members find the membership fee worth it just for the rare seeds available through the exchange network.

What if I live in an apartment or don't have garden space?

Many members grow seeds in containers, small raised beds, or even windowsills. You don't need a large garden to participate. Some members focus on herbs or flowers rather than vegetables. Others join primarily to trade seeds and support the organization's preservation work without growing much themselves.

How long do seeds stay good if I save them?

That depends on the plant type and how you store them. Most seeds last one to three years if kept cool and dry. The yearbook includes storage tips for different seed types. Seed Savers Exchange also maintains a seed bank where you can contribute seeds for long-term preservation if you want to may support a variety survives beyond your own garden.