2026 Chicago Area Seed Swap Guide: Sharing Seeds, Growing Community
Photo by yanadjan for Adobe Stock
Seed swaps have become a winter tradition across the Chicago area, offering a welcoming way for gardeners to gather, share seeds and look ahead to the growing season. These events bring people together during the quiet winter months, when gardens are resting but plans for spring are already taking shape.
Photo by eurobanks for Adobe Stock
This year, National Seed Swap Day is celebrated on January 31. The annual observation began in 2006 after Kathy Jentz of Washington Gardener Magazine organized a midwinter seed exchange that helped spark a national movement. While gardeners have always exchanged seeds informally, the day created a shared moment for communities across the country to come together, trade seeds and reconnect with the promise of a new growing season.
On its website, Seed Savers Exchange describes seed swaps as a simple and effective way to preserve heirloom varieties and keep regional favorites in circulation. Gardeners bring seeds they have saved from previous seasons or extra packets they won’t use and exchange them with others. In doing so, they help protect plant diversity, support resilient local gardens and ensure varieties that might otherwise be lost continue to thrive.
Across the greater Chicago region, National Seed Swap Day has grown into a full season of seed-sharing events. From Master Gardener groups and park districts to libraries, nature centers and local garden clubs, organizations host seed swaps and plant exchanges from late January through early March. Some are large, well-established gatherings, while others are smaller neighborhood events rooted in local communities.
A typical seed swap features seeds for vegetables and herbs alongside native prairie plants, pollinator varieties and annual flowers, as well as a few unusual or hard-to-find seeds and some houseplants. Tables often include heirloom favorites saved from last season alongside extra packets purchased for the year ahead. These exchanges encourage seed saving, reduce waste and make it easier for gardeners at every level to try something new.
Many events are family friendly, with opportunities for children to choose seeds, learn about plants and take part in hands-on activities. They bring together people of all ages and experience levels, strengthening community ties through a shared love of growing.
2026 CHICAGO AREA SEED SWAP EVENTS AND GATHERINGS
The events listed here reflect seed swaps and seed-focused gatherings confirmed as of press time for 2026 across Chicago and the surrounding counties. Additional events may be announced as winter schedules are finalized. Local garden clubs and organizations are encouraged to share details of other gatherings for inclusion in the calendar and the online version of this article. Listings can be emailed to [email protected].
JANUARY 11
Conservation@Home: Seed Swap
12 to 2 p.m.
River Trail Nature Center
3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook
Ages 13 and up
Free; advance registration required
fpdcc.com/event/conservationhome-seed-swap-3
JANUARY 24
Super Seed Saturday
Chicago Botanic Garden
13th Annual Seed Swap: 2 to 4 p.m.
Burnstein Hall & Krehbiel Gallery,
Regenstein Center
1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
Garden open until 4 p.m.
South Side Seed Swap
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Envision Unlimited Frick Center
2124 W. 82nd Place, Chicago
Free.
JANUARY 25
Seed Swap and Seed Starting Demonstrations
Kane County Master Gardeners
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kane County Extension Office
535 S. Randall Rd., St. Charles
Free
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-01-25-seed-swap-and-demonstration
Seed Swap
Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oak Park Conservatory
615 Garfield St., Oak Park
• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. FOPCON members only
• 12 to 2 p.m. open to the public
Conservation@Home: Winter Seed Sowing
1:30 p.m.
River Trail Nature Center
3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook
Ages 13 and up
Free; advance registration required
fpdcc.com/event/conservationhome-winter-seed-sowing-2
JANUARY 31
Seed Swap / Intercambio de Semillas
3 Locations
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Aurora Public Library District – Eola Road Branch
555 S. Eola Rd., Aurora
https://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/14862436
Aurora Public Library District – Santori Branch
101 S. River Rd., Aurora
https://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/14862512
Aurora Public Library District – West Branch
233 S Constitution Dr, Aurora
https://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/14862438
Free; walk-up event
Hosted in partnership with University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Master Gardeners
National Seed Swap Day
Schaumburg Park District
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Heritage Farm at Spring Valley
201 S. Plum Grove Rd., Schaumburg
All ages; free
ParkFun.com/event/national-seed-swap-day
Seed Swap
The Morton Arboretum
• Section A: 12 to 1:30 p.m.
• Section B: 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Arbor Room, Thornhill Education Center
4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle
Ages 16 and up; advance registration required
MortonArb.org/explore/activities/adult-programs/seed-swap
Kendall County Master Gardener Seed Swap
9 a.m. to 12
Kendall Co Extension Office
7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-01-31-kendall-county-master-gardener-seed-swap
Seed Swap
Friends of Kilbourn Park Greenhouse
12 to 2 p.m.
Kilbourn Park Auditorium
3501 N Kilbourn Ave, Chicago
Free
https://mailchi.mp/50f164d0a2a3/start-your-2026-garden-at-the-kilbourn-park-seed-swap?e=058a59b877
National Seed Swap Day
Seed Savers Exchange
1 to 3 p.m.
Vesterheim Commons
508 W. Water St., Decorah, IA
All ages; free
SeedSavers.org/events/national-seed-swap-day
FEBRUARY 7
The Great Seed (and Soil!) Event
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MCC Cafeteria, McHenry County College
8900 U.S. 14, Crystal Lake
815-479-7563
Eventbrite.com/e/the-great-seed-event-of-2026-tickets-1500395215479
.
Annual Seed Exchange
CARE & White Oak Library District
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
White Oak Library, Lockport Branch
121 E. 8th St., Lockport
Inclement weather date: February 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WillCountyCare.org/care-seed-exchange
FEBRUARY 14
Seed Swap
Park District of Franklin Park
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Community Center
9560 Franklin Ave., Franklin Park
All ages; free
Seed Swap
Trickster Cultural Center
12 to 3 p.m.
190 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg
Free.
https://www.tricksterculturalcenter.org/calendar-of-events
FEBRUARY 21
Seed Swap With Sustain DuPage
1 to 3 p.m.
Wheaton Public Library, Meeting Room A
225 N. Cross St., Wheaton
WheatonLibrary.org/event/seed-swap-sustain-dupage-131107
Seed Swap
1 to 3 p.m.
Chicago Public Library - Humboldt Park Branch
1605 N Troy , Chicago
Ages 13 and up; Free
https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/696963c794297d3600a56c48
FEBRUARY 22
Avondale Gardening Alliance Seed Swap
12 to 3 p.m.
Beer Temple 3173 N. Elston Ave., Chicago
https://avondalegardeningalliance.wordpress.com/
Seed Swap & Seed Starting
Berwyn Roots-A Community Garden Movement
2 to 4 p.m.
Berwyn Public Library
2701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/seed-swap-seed-starting-at-the/808670458900363/
FEBRUARY 28
Conservation@Home: Seed Swap & Plant Exchange
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Swallow Cliff Woods – North Pavilion
Calumet Sag Rd./Rte. 83 (Near Palos Park)
fpdcc.com/event/conservationhome-seed-swap-plant-exchange
MARCH 1
Seed Swap
2 to 4 p.m.
Forest Park Library
7555 Jackson Blvd, Forest Park
https://forestpark.librarycalendar.com/event/seed-swap-15743
MARCH 7
Extension Master Gardener Seed Expo at CLC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
College of Lake County
19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Hosted by Lake County Master Gardeners, Grow Lake County
Facebook.com/events/1534302167798397
Seed Swap
1 to 2:30 p.m.
St. Charles Public Library
1 South 6th Ave,, St. Charles
Free
https://scpld.libnet.info/event/15514304
Blue Island Community Gardeners Seed Swap
2 to 4 p.m.
Blue Island Public Library
2466 York Street, Blue Island
https://blueislandpl.librarycalendar.com/event/blue-island-community-gardeners-seed-swap-5496
MARCH 8
DGC/IPPL Seed & Houseplant Exchange
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Indian Prairie Public Library
Keshav Sanghani Meeting Room (2nd Fl)
401 Plainfield Rd., Darien
All ages
Walk-up event; registration not required
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