YORKVILLE, Ill. – You’ve shared recipes and life hacks. Why not plant seeds? Better yet, get some for free even if you don’t have any to trade. The Kendall County Master Gardeners will host its third annual free Community Seed Swap event on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Yorkville.

“It is a great way to diversify your garden or try a new variety,” said Sarah Fellerer, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator in Kendall County. “On the day of the event, everyone is invited to stop in and pick up free seeds, or if they like, to swap seeds with others in the community.”

The Master Gardeners already have many seeds on hand, including a wide variety of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Native plant seeds will be available as well. All seeds collected pre-event will be labeled and come with care instructions.

“Gardeners are encouraged to bring seeds to share if they have them. Please make sure they are fresh and labeled, and that they are not from F1 hybrids, so they grow true to type,” advised Fellerer. “We have scores of varieties of seeds to share with everyone, so be sure to stop by.”

For more information on seed types, saving seeds and the event, visit    https://go.illinois.edu/KendallMGSeedSwap

During the exchange event, Master Gardeners will be available for questions as part of the volunteers’ Help Desk program, and they will demonstrate germination tests and a seed-starting system.

The event will be at the U of I Extension office in Kendall County, on Route 47, about one mile south of Route 71. The address is 7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville. For questions, call the office at 630-553-5823 or visit https://go.illinois.edu/KendallMGSeedSwap