Brisbane Community Seed Swap: The Sharing Economy in Action

Share Your Surplus. Grow Community. No Cash/Bartering. Experience the Sharing Economy in Action

Join us for a vibrant, one-hour burst of gardening energy as Brisbane comes together to celebrate the simple joy of sharing seeds, bulbs, cuttings, knowledge, and enthusiasm. As part of Reclaim the Economy Week, this seed swap is a hands-on celebration of community power—an example of what happens when we pool our resources, care for the earth, and help each other grow.

Whether you're a seasoned seed saver, a total beginner, or simply seed-curious, you’re warmly invited. This event is fast-paced, fun, and full of discoveries—expect rare varieties, local favourites, heritage gems, and plenty of lively conversations.

🌱 How It Works

Bring along your home-saved seeds, spare commercial packets, viable cuttings, bulbs, or divided perennials. When you arrive, volunteers will count your packets and exchange them for tickets, which act as your currency for selecting new treasures from the community pool.

Watch this explainer video for more info.

To keep things fair and exciting, tickets are released in stages throughout the hour, ensuring that everyone—early birds and latecomers alike—enjoys a rich selection.

Don’t have seeds to swap? No problem! A small number of tickets will be available so that everyone can take part. No cash-for-seeds, bartering, or person-to-person trading is allowed—this is a celebration of community sharing, not a marketplace.

Upon registering, you'll receive an info pack with all the details you need (what to bring, how to label your seed packets, how the swap will operate on the day, etc!)

🌼 What to Bring

• Home-saved seeds (10 per packet for small seeds, 5 for larger seeds like beans)
• Spare seed packets
• Bulbs and corms
• Healthy cuttings or plant divisions
• A sense of curiosity and a readiness to share stories, tips, and growing experiences

A full labelling key will be sent to you after registration so you can prepare your packets before the event.

🌿 Why Take Part?

• Discover new varieties perfect for Brisbane’s subtropical climate
• Share your surplus and take home something fresh
• Support a thriving, connected community of local growers
• Learn seed-saving tricks and meet others who love gardening as much as you do
• Experience a true grassroots sharing economy event—friendly, inclusive, and joyful

This swap is a lively demonstration of mutual aid: people giving what they can, taking what they need, and building food resilience together.

🌻 Who Should Come?

Absolutely everyone.

Gardeners, balcony growers, first-timers, families, students, retirees, plant nerds, seed hoarders, and curious onlookers—if you love growing things (or want to), you belong here.

Come along and be part of something that grows long after the event ends—friendships, skills, plant diversity, and the feeling that communities are at their strongest when they share.

Let’s grow Brisbane—one seed at a time. 🌱