The Northern Colorado Native Plant and Seed Swaps are a wonderful way to get native plants and seeds into the hands and yards of community members.
Our partner organizations plan and fundraise for the Swaps and run year-round events to help people engage in hands-on learning with native plant material. Community involvement, partnership and funding is key to the continued success of these events, which have grown to engage more than 1,000 members of the public annually.
How Do the Swaps Work?
Events are free and open to the public, but donations are accepted. You are welcome to bring native plants or seeds to share. You do not have to bring anything to take something home. Educational signs with a picture and description of the plant/seed, the wildlife it supports, the conditions it prefers, and how to propagate, are displayed so you can learn as you pick out seeds and plants to take home.
Those who have collected native seeds to donate or grown native plants to give away can check items in during the swap. Anyone donating seeds or plants gets to skip the check-in line as a “thank you” for donating.
The native seed swap and giveaway is every fall in November. 150 or more species are available, including flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees.
You can get advice about your plants, seeds, and gardening with natives from local organizations. We also provide information and resources to help you care for your plants, grow seeds, as well as transition to sustainable native landscapes.
How Can You Help
Help out by attending one of the year-round events that support the swaps such as seed planting, transplanting seedlings, seed collections and seed cleanings.
You can sign up for these events on the NoCo Native Plant event calendar and find additional volunteer opportunities on the WRV Plants & Pollinators calendar.
Donate today to sponsor supplies for swaps such as soil, pots, seeds, plant labels, gas for the plant mobile, and more. Our thanks to City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks, City of Longmont, Denver Mountain Parks, Jeffco Open Space, Lory State Park, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, and more.
Why Native Plants?
Growing native plants is great for attracting and supporting wildlife, for conserving water, and for saving the planet! To find out more, visit these webpages:
Why Coloradoscape with Native Plants? Coloradoscaping goes beyond xeriscaping by using plants native to Colorado and neighboring states.
Colorado Native Plant Society -regional plant guides
People and Pollinators Action Network: propagating natives
CSU Extension: Native Plant List
Where Can You Find More Information?
Native Plants Toolkit: Everything from designing a garden to selecting plants
Wild Ones Native Seed Germination Guide: Find species-specific information on how to germinate your native seeds
Colorado Native Plant Society store has books to help you learn about plants and identify natives in our state.
How To Collect Native Seeds (and Donate) Responsibly
- Always get permission
- Know what you are collecting – do not collect rare or threatened species or introduced species listed as noxious weeds.
- Collect only what you need or will share with others
- Collect a sample-see Wild Ones collecting and cleaning native seed
How to Grow (and Donate) Native Plants
- Always get permission to collect on private property
- NEVER dig wild plants – only collect cuttings or seeds from wild populations
- Do not share plants visibly infested with bugs or other diseases
- Do not share introduced species listed as noxious weeds.
