Pippi, the Seed Exchange forum has a nice set of FAQs that new traders can check out - I've posted a link to your specific question about amounts.

I use yellow coin envelopes for my seed trades, and label them all by hand. Everyone does it differently, but I personally label with the following: Botanical name, Common Name, type (annual or perennial; sometimes I include zone information on perennials but not usually), source if not my garden (e.g., commercial seeds, leftover seeds from generous trader), and year of collection/purchase. You can definitely divide a larger package of commercial seeds into smaller trade amounts and package them individually.

There is a "Rate and Review" forum where you can check out comments posted about an individual trader (use the search function on that forum for best results). That being said, I always deal with seed trading on the internet like playing the lottery: never gamble what you can't afford to lose.

Now, THAT being said - 99% of traders are super-generous. Many will include extra seeds not agreed on in the trade (hint: if you post a list under "Seeds I am Looking For", many traders will look at that and see if they have anything that fits). This is especially true if the trader knows you are just starting to build variety in your garden.

I've done this for a few years now. When I first started, I had very little, and now, due to generous traders, I have so much I wonder if I can plant it all in one lifetime. Once in awhile, I still get "stiffed" on a trade - it doesn't even phase me anymore; I have so much stuff. And I still play by my original rule of not trading away anything more than I can afford to lose.

I encourage you to visit the Round Robin Exchange forum as well - participating in the large swaps is a great way to build your stash.

Good luck with your trading!

Kim

Here is a link that might be useful: How many seeds is a fair trade?

First, I'd like to welcome you to the forum Pippi21.

Amounts? For small seeds 1/4 teaspoon and as they get bigger in size, about 20 is what I put in. Usually, there's more, but that is just me although I received my guidelines from these forums.

Buying seeds to trade? You can certainly do that but it may not be necessary. I gather as much as I can from the gardens and get large quantities at times. In trades, sometimes you are sent more than what you will use, so you can trade them off to someone who might like them. There are also some SASEs (Self Address Stamped Envelope) offerings on the trade Forums which you can take advantage of. These are great for newcomers since all you have to do is send a SASE with your address and it comes back to you with seeds which were offered.

Labeling? I use anything and everything available, such as a small piece of paper with essentials written on it -Perennial or annual, sun or shade, height, soil type, name of plant. I am very brief.

An exchange and a trade are both the same in my vocabulary too. :O)

I think the most important thing is to be honest with the other person. If you have a seed to trade, but don't have many, let them know. Some traders say where there seeds came from and how old they are. If you look at my name above this post, you will see "My Page". If you go there you will see "See My Trade List" at the top and you can click that and see my trade page. Here's the honesty part - I haven't updated it since last year so not everything may be available, but in general, most things are. (Got to get that done today!!)

In the last few years that I have traded, I think only a couple of trades have gone to the dogs. It's to be expected and I don't dwell on it. There are others which truly make-up for them and I believe that in this case there are very few rotten apples in the barrel.

Again, welcome to the forum!

Pippi,

Our own Winter Sowing forum has a set of seed trading FAQs. Use the FAQ link and scroll down about 2/3s and you will find them.