Do you ever plant seeds in your garden or in flower pots at home? Or would you like to know how to, and perhaps have a seed packet sitting idly on the side that you never got around to sowing?

Whatever your level of food growing or gardening expertise, if you have some spare seeds and want to try sowing something new this year, and to pick up some tips, go along to the MindFood Seed Swap on Saturday, 15 February. It will run between 12.30-2pm at Horsenden Farm on Horsenden Hill.

MindFood is an Ealing-based community interest company which supports people with depression, anxiety and stress to improve their wellbeing through gardening and horticulture. It is a partner organisation of Ealing Council.

Pauline Shakespeare, of MindFood, said: “Seed swapping is a sustainable way to trade in your surplus seeds, offer seeds you may have saved from special varieties you may be growing, or discover something new to sow in the coming year.

“It’s also a great way to meet others with a passion for gardening and swap tips and advice. And you will have the opportunity to have a look around the MindFood allotments and polytunnel to see what our volunteers have been growing over the winter months.”

MindFood runs courses from Horsenden Farm and also at a site in Cleveley Crescent near Hanger Lane Tube station.

And, as well as the practical benefit of learning how to grow tasty vegetables or pretty plants, gardening and seed-sowing takes you a world away from the pressures of everyday life. Wellbeing plays a central role in MindFood’s work, as you can find out at the seed swap event.

Pauline said: “You can find out about our free food growing and wellbeing courses – which are a fun balance of learning how to grow food, and how to use tips and techniques to improve your wellbeing.”

Refreshments will be available on the day. For further information, contact pauline@mindfood.org.uk