What the seed exchange needs

An original fictional information text for reading practice.

The neighbourhood seed exchange asks donors to bring more than an unlabelled envelope. People using the exchange need to know which plant the seeds came from, including the variety where it is known. Two plants with similar common names may grow quite differently.

The exchange also needs the year in which the seed was collected. Older seed is not automatically useless, but a grower should be able to judge its age rather than mistake every failure for poor technique. Donors who have tried germinating a sample should record the result, including how many seeds they tested. “It worked” is less useful than knowing that eight out of ten sprouted.

Brief growing conditions help new gardeners decide where the plant might succeed. A donor need not provide a full gardening lesson, but should mention important requirements such as shade or support. The exchange asks whether the parent plant was grown near similar varieties, since cross-pollination may mean the next plant differs from the named parent.

Finally, every envelope should show the approximate quantity inside and an identifying donor code. Quantity helps volunteers divide large donations fairly. The code lets them ask a later question without displaying somebody’s personal contact details on every packet. Volunteers will supply envelopes and labels at the collection table.

Summarise, in your own words, the information donors are asked to provide with their seeds.