The Hudson Valley Plant Exchange was created as a platform for learning and exchanging plants, with the goal of strengthening our communities through a shared love of nature and the Hudson Valley region. We believe gardening should be free, accessible, and pressure-free, so our swaps and events never charge for plants or materials. Our group is a supportive space where no commercial offers or sales are allowed—just neighbors helping neighbors to beautify our region and grow together.

This winter, we’re raising funds for our January 2026 Kickoff Event—a warm, social gathering and hands-on growing workshop designed to help gardeners of all experience levels get a head start on the season for our swaps and for your own gardens. This way, we can make sure our 2026 season has lots of plants, including native pollinators, and great variety.

By providing free seed-starting kits, regionally appropriate seeds, and expert guidance, we’ll make sure everyone can start their plants at the right time, whether they’re growing veggies, annuals, or native pollinators. The event will feature mini-workshops, growing stations, and a shared “Grow With Us” calendar, so everyone leaves with the tools and confidence to grow for themselves and for our May plant swap.

Your support helps us keep all our events free and accessible to everyone—regardless of income, housing type, or gardening experience. Please help us make gardening accessible and joyful for all by supporting our only fundraiser of the year. Together, we can nurture a stronger, greener Hudson Valley!

What to expect at your January Kick Off?

1. Seed-Starting Prep for Veggies & Annuals

• Regionally appropriate seeds

• Guidance on what to start indoors vs. outdoors

• Free seed-starting kits (trays, domes, soil mix, labels)

• A personalized plan for starting seeds at the right time

2. Cold Stratification for Pollinators

• Outdoor cold-stratification lesson

• Demonstration of Jim’s high-yield fridge stratification technique, perfect for small spaces

• Free native pollinator seeds to take home

• Baggies, soil and other supplies for cold stratification (bring your own milk/water jug if you want to try outdoor stratification)

3. Mini-Workshops & Growing Stations

• Light, watering, soil, and timing

• Preventing damping off

• Planning what to grow for yourself and for swapping

• A shared “Grow With Us” calendar

What Your Donation Supports

Funds raised in late 2025 will go directly toward providing:

• Seed trays & humidity domes (increase germination and survival)

• High-quality seed-starting mix

• Labels, spray bottles, and tools

• Vegetable, herb, annual, and pollinator seeds (we’re also asking for seed donations to spare this cost)