How the Seed Exchange Works

The Seed Exchange is made possible through the generosity and hard work of many NARGS members. It begins with members collecting seed of plants in their garden or in natural areas. DONATED seed is sent to the INTAKE Manager. The Intake Manager enters all the donations into a computer database, verifies the seed name and adds descriptions where needed. Each donor is assigned a donor number, which will be included in the Seed List. The Seed List is posted on the NARGS website in mid-December.

By mid- to late-November all the donated seeds are cataloged and the database program generates the seed list numbers. The seeds are shipped to various PACKAGING Chapters and individuals who divide them into individual packets in December. The finished packets are then sent to the MAIN SEED DISTRIBUTION Chapter, where the seed orders from members are picked and mailed out from early January to mid February.

A surplus seed list of all the seed numbers which are left over after the Main Seed Distribution is closed are sent in late February to members who request it and surplus seed orders are filled in early March by the SURPLUS SEED DISTRIBUTION Chapter. All members are charged a nominal fee for surplus seed orders based on the quantity of packets they request. After that the remaining seed is sent to various NARGS chapters for distribution to their members.

Advantages of Donating Seed

The NARGS Seed Exchange depends on the donation of seed from all its members. Many of the plants our members wish to grow are often only available from seed exchanges like ours. It is especially important that seeds of rare, highly desirable, correctly named and classic rock garden plants are collected and donated so that these jewels are not lost to cultivation. Even if you are no longer interested in growing plants from seed you should still collect and donate seed so that others may enjoy growing them as well.

If you contribute at least 5 different taxa of seed you will earn donor status. Donors receive 35 packets of seed, while non-donors receive only 25. Furthermore, orders from donors are filled before those from non-donors. Finally, donors receive the recognition and gratitude of their colleagues! Status as a donor will be determined by the Intake Manager based upon the Unacceptable Seed List. For information on donating seed see Donation Instructions. More information and Donation forms will also be sent with the Summer issue of the Rock Garden Quarterly.

APHIS Restricted Import List

Canadian and Overseas donor members are restricted in what they can donate to the Seed Exchange by the regulations set by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) (including noxious weeds, parasitic plants, hosts of known pests/diseases, items that require treatment [fumigation] for entry, etc.) and world conventions, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). They must also use the Small Lots Seed Permit and labels which is available from the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and/or with the Summer issue of the Rock Garden Quarterly.

US members who wish to obtain a Small Lots Seed Permit in order to receive seed from outside the United States (from overseas seed exchanges or seed sources) should check out our Small Lots Seed page for details.

Harkness Seedlist Handbook

Through the generosity of Mabel Harkness and Timber Press, NARGS has been given permission to use the Second Edition of the Bernard E. Harkness Seedlist Handbook as the basis for an online version. View the Bernard E. Harkness Seedlist Handbook.