Our Gardening Show started as a modest Seed & Bulb Exchange, but much has changed in the gardening world since our first Exchange in 2004! Gardeners' interest in organic seeds and open-pollinated native species has grown exponentially over the last 20 years. And, government regulations on seed sales have kept pace with gardeners' preferences.

It's no surprise, then, that new policies have been enacted about non-commercial seed sharing and seed exchanges like ours. This means the 19th Annual Gardening Show is required to comply with current Indiana Seed Laws and regulations set by the Indiana Chemist's office.

Here's how the Seed & Bulb Area at our January 2025 show will adapt to those requirements:

  • Every paid attendee at the Show will receive an allotment of tickets for FREE seeds/bulbs.
  • We will not sell additional tickets in the Seed & Bulb Area.*
  • We will not accept seed or bulb donations on Show day. Instead,
  • Seed savers may donate their seeds - and receive tickets for additional free seeds - by attending seed cleaning workshops prior to the Show and supplying simple collection records. Please contact pcmastergardener@gmail.com for information on these requirements.
  • Seed cleaning dates and locations are listed below.

The Seed & Bulb Area will still be a wonderful way to find favorite seed varieties and acquire new ones. We believe these changes will ensure attendees receive free seeds of consistently high quality as well as the information needed to make them thrive because

Porter County Master Gardeners are committed to Helping Others Grow!

2024-25 Seed Cleaning & Bulb Bagging

Whether you are a novice or a seasoned gardener, you're invited to join us for our annual seed cleaning and bulb bagging gatherings.

Porter County Master Gardeners meet every year to prepare seeds for the Seed & Bulb Area. Tools and packaging materials are provided, as well as seed heads and pods from a variety of plants. You may also bring your own saved seeds and learn how to clean and preserve them.

You're invited to join us for these seed cleaning sessions:

Wednesday, November 20, 1:00 - 3:30 pm

Wednesday, December 4, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Watch this space for Bulb Bagging dates in January

All seed cleaning meetings will be held at:

Meeting Rooms A & B
Porter County Public Library
103 Jefferson Street
Valparaiso, Indiana

2025 Seed & Bulb Donors

Annie's Heirloom Seeds, Madison, WI
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Mansfield, MO
Bently Seeds, Cambridge, NY
Botanical Interests, Broomfield, CO
Eden Brothers, Arden, NC
Ferry-Morse, Norton, MA
Floret Flower Farm, Mount Vernon, WA
Howard Work, Valparaiso, IN
Jim Hitz, Kouts, IN
John Nash, Valparaiso, IN
Philips Ace Hardware, Valparaiso, IN
Seed Savers Exchange, Decorah, IA
Territorial Seed Company, Union, CT
Valparaiso Parks Department, Valparaiso, IN
Woldhuis Farms Sunrise Greenhouse, Grant Park, IL

Seed & Bulb Area Contribution Guidelines

If you would like to contribute seeds, please follow the guidelines above. Ideally, seeds should be allowed to fully dry on the plant before harvesting. If this is not possible, cut the seed heads with a portion of the stem or stalk, store them in a paper bag to continue drying at normal room temperature and humidity which is sufficient to complete the drying process. Seeds and bulbs must be clean and disease free.

*  "Non-commercial Seed Sharing" - means that no monetary consideration or compensation may be transferred in return for receiving seeds. To view the "Non-commercial Seed Sharing/Non-commercial Seed Exchange/Seed Library Policy," please click here.