What does the seed swap matcher do?
This tool compares two seed lists and shows only reciprocal matches. A crop appears when one gardener has available seed that the other gardener wants, and the second gardener has a different available seed that the first gardener wants.
The comparison uses plant slugs from the site's plant library rather than free-form names. That keeps Tomato and Tomatoes from becoming separate entries and makes the result useful alongside the local seed inventory.
How to use it
Add each gardener's available and wanted seed. The first gardener starts with owned and wanted entries saved in the local seed inventory on this device. Add the second gardener's list manually, then choose Find compatible swaps.
The quantities are planning limits, not a commitment to trade. Each result uses the smaller of the available quantity and the other gardener's wanted quantity. Download the result as a CSV file to review it together in person or through your own preferred channel.
What this first version does not do
This is a local comparison tool. It does not publish listings, create accounts, expose contact details, send messages, or mediate a transaction. A public seed marketplace would need moderation, privacy controls, reporting, and abuse handling before it belongs in the product.
Seed quality and practical checks
A compatible crop does not guarantee that the packets are equivalent. Before trading, compare variety, year packed, open-pollinated or hybrid status, treatment, storage conditions, and any regional restrictions. For older seed, a germination test can help both gardeners decide how much to exchange.
Frequently asked questions
Does the tool send my inventory to a server?
No. The match is calculated in your browser. The first gardener's entries can be loaded from the local seed inventory stored on this device, and the second gardener's entries remain in the current tool state.
Why do I not see a one-way match?
The first version focuses on reciprocal swaps. If one gardener has a crop the other wants but there is no crop going the other way, the result is not a compatible two-way swap.
Can I trade varieties?
Not yet. This version matches plant slugs, so it identifies the crop but does not claim that two varieties are equivalent. Confirm variety details before agreeing to a swap.
