Northampton Seedy Saturday

01/03/2026

The Hertiage Seed Library are looking for your unsung heroes; those seeds you've been saving and growing for ages. They may be no longer available commercially, or have become attuned to your own microclimate and conditions. If that's you, this Chronicle and Echo piece may be interesting:

Do you have Ray’s butter bean, Grandpa’s Cress or Mrs Taylor’s Red Pear hiding in your garden shed or greenhouse? A charity is calling on Northamptonshire gardeners to find and share their unusual edible heirlooms in a special .

22/02/2026

🌱 Volunteers Needed: Northampton’s Seedy Saturday Needs YOU! 🌱

We love organising our local community seed swap – it’s a small, friendly event that brings people together. But truth be told ... we’re not getting any younger and we need some fresh hands to help keep the event alive.

We’re looking ahead to Seedy Saturday 2027 (yes, it’s a while away), and we’re hoping to gather a team of volunteers who can help with tasks like organising, planning, promoting, driving, cooking, serving food, lifting and shifting, and general event setup.

If you’d like to help out, please email Shena Cooper: [email protected]. Let’s keep encouraging local seed-saving and growing!

21/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to today's Seedy Saturday, it was lovely to see so many people swapping seeds, enjoying a cuppa and a chat, and being part of our vibrant local growing community. Thanks also to the lovely marketplace stall-holders, community and voluntary groups, and The Doddridge Centre for hosting us. And of course, many thanks to the hardworking, dedicated Seedy Saturday volunteers, without whom there'd be no lunch and no event. We wish everyone an abundant and delicious growing season, may your seeds thrive. And let's do it again next February! :-)

21/02/2026

21/02/2026

Today is Northampton's Seedy Saturday, so hie thee to the Doddridge Centre with your spare seeds and a strong bag for all the seed potatoes you'll need (pssst ... some of our spuds have RED flesh!) and some lovely marketplace goodies, and, of course, you'll be needing a cuppa tea in our pop-up cafe, and if you bring a drinking vessel (no buckets please ;-)) we'll top you up for free! *deep breath* We're open at 10:00 am and go through till 2:00 pm, so there's plenty of time. 109 St James's Road (NN5 5LD) opposite Church's Shoes. Entry is free ... it's gonna be Grrrrrrrrrr-eat! :-)

20/02/2026

New to seed swaps? They’re a fun, friendly way to share extra seeds and choose something new to grow, while helping conserve our gardening heritage. Just bring your seeds—or come empty‑handed—and enjoy the event.

🌱 How Our Seed Swap Works

Bring your seeds to the reception table, where our volunteers will check, sort and lay them out for swapping. Then choose the seeds you’d like; it’s a pack‑for‑pack exchange.

No seeds to swap? Want more than you brought? That’s fine. A small donation of 50p per pack helps keep the swap running.

🌼 Before You Come:
Please pack your home‑grown seeds into envelopes or small bags and label them with:
•Plant name (common or Latin)
•Variety
•Year harvested
•Optional: where they were grown
••Example: Tomato – Gardener’s Delight – grown in Brixworth, 2025
Make sure your packets are labelled and securely sealed.

✔️ What to Bring
•Non‑hybrid seeds you’ve grown and harvested yourself
•Unopened commercial seed packets stored in cool, dry conditions, up to one year past their “sow by” date

❌ What Not to Bring
•Commercial seeds more than one year past “sow by”
•Home‑grown seeds more than two years old
•Opened or part‑used commercial packets
•Unpackaged, unlabelled or undated seeds
•Seeds stored in hot or damp places (e.g., greenhouse, shed)
•Seeds from shop‑bought produce
•Seeds that may have cross‑pollinated and won’t grow true
•Seeds from unhealthy or diseased plants
•Patented or GMO seeds
•Seeds from plants that are illegal or restricted in the UK
We'll see you at the Doddridge Centre (NN5 5LD) on 21 February 2026, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. :-)

20/02/2026

How to find Northampton's Seedy Saturday:
📍 Address: The Doddridge Centre, 109 St James’s Road (A428), NN5 5LD, TLW: ///upgrading.cages.stay. It's an imposing Victorian chapel between Marlborough Rd and Byfield Rd. It's opposite Church’s Shoes factory and almost opposite the abandoned bus depot.

🚗 Parking
• Limited free parking on-site
• Public car park on Stenson Street (behind the Foundryman’s Arms)
• Or park in town and walk about 15 minutes.

🚌 Buses: Stagecoach routes D2, 8, 9, 9A, 15, 55 stop nearby. From town or the rail station: get off by the old bus depot/Church’s Shoes and cross the road. Coming from the other direction (towards town centre): there’s a stop right by us. If you're unsure, ask the driver for Church’s Shoes.

🚆 Train: Arriving at Northampton station? It’s a 10‑minute walk or you can use any of the buses above.

19/02/2026

18/02/2026

You’ll have earned a rest once you’ve bagged your seeds, seed potatoes, and all your marketplace goodies! Luckily, our brilliant volunteers will be on hand to rustle up a spot of lunch.

The Pitchforks Café will be open throughout the Seed Swap, serving hot meals, tasty snacks, and drinks both hot and cold. Bring your own mug and we’ll even top you up for free.

Seed‑swapping is hard work — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise 😉 Pictures by Debbie R. and kevs.

17/02/2026

Join us at Northampton’s Seedy Saturday on 21 February (10:00 to 14:00; NN5 5LD) and take a wander through our marketplace. You’ll find a wonderful mix of ethical, garden‑focused and environmentally minded stalls, along with inspiring community groups you can chat to and get involved with.

Expect organic and cruelty‑free Neal’s Yard Remedies, delicious homemade preserves, beautiful houseplants, composting demonstrations, and plenty more to explore.

Here are a few photos from last year to give you a flavour of what’s in store.

16/02/2026

Thinking about saving your own seeds but not sure where to start? Our 36‑page seed‑saving zine breaks it all down with simple, practical guidance for beginners and anyone wanting to go a bit deeper. Just £4.00 at the seed‑swap table.