Every spring for seven years the New River Valley Master Gardener program has given away vegetable, flower and herb seeds to schools and non-profit organizations like community gardens, therapy gardens, and other youth programs throughout the New River Valley.
The majority of the seeds are donated by Hart Seed Company in Connecticut, but local businesses and garden centers have also donated seeds to this program. Over the years we have received local donations from Northwest Hardware, Southern States, Walmart and Groundworks.
“It is great to see local establishments support our community and we thank them for their donations to this wonderful service project,” Master Gardener program coordinator wrote in an announcement for the free seed program.
Hart Seed Company collects the seeds that didn’t sell the previous year, re-sorts them and only charges shipping and handling fees to non-profit organizations who participate in their donation program.
Because the seeds are more than a year old, their germination rates – the likelihood that they’ll sprout and make a plant – are reduced. Those older seeds can no longer be sold in stores. Seeds harvested in the current year may have a 95 percent germination rate, while germination rates may plummet to 75 percent in older seeds.
But, Silverman wrote, the Hart Seed Company wants their seeds to go to good use rather than being disposed of, so the company developed a donation program.
Do manage the lower germination rate, Silverman encourages the school groups and organizations that get their seeds from the Master Gardener program simply to double seed and then thin if necessary.
“This spring, we have delivered seeds to 14 different schools and organizations throughout the New River Valley,” Silverman wrote. The program involves schools including Blacksburg Middle and High schools, Falling Branch, Gilbert Linkous, Prices Fork, Margaret Beeks, and Check Elementary.
Other groups that use our seeds include Blacksburg Parks and Recreation, Micah’s Garden, the food pantry and garden, P.L.E.N.T.Y. in Floyd, Pulaski Grow, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Virginia Veterans Care Center.
“In total, we give away approximately 15 boxes of seeds per year,” Silverman said. That’s around 6,000 packets of seed.
Silverman said the Master Gardener’s mission is to extend horticulture and Environmental Outreach across the Commonwealth.
“We strive to empower people to grow their own food using sustainable landscape practices. We have a Master Gardener helpdesk at the Montgomery County Extension office where we are available to answer your gardening and plant questions. Both the free seed recipients and the general public are encouraged to contact the helpdesk with any gardening questions they may have during the growing season.”
Contact the Master Gardener Helpdesk by email at mgnrv@vt.edu or phone 540-382-5790.
“By giving away seeds to schools and non-profits, we are able to encourage people to garden, help our pollinators, be outdoors, become more self-sufficient, eat healthier, and to learn how to garden sustainably,” Silverman said.
If your organization is interested in getting some seeds from the Master Gardeners, please contact Wendy Silverman at wss@vt.edu and she will be happy to send you an order form.
