The Seed Library is a free community resource that promotes healthy, local food by offering vegetable, herb, and flower seeds for “borrowing”. In the spring, anyone can take seeds to plant and grow in their gardens, with the understanding that some seeds from the harvest will be returned in the fall to sustain the collection.
This free service aims to raise awareness of sustainable food and gardening practices, celebrate biodiversity, nurture locally adapted plant varieties, encourage time in nature, and foster a culture of sharing and community connections.
How to use the seed library:
- Visit the Seed Library at the Russell Branch and browse the available seeds.
- Select your seeds. A library card is necessary. You can borrow up to five packets of seeds. Record your choices in the sign-out binder.
- Plant, grow and harvest!
- Save your seeds and donate them back to the library. (Borrow a book from the library or visit the links below for information on seed saving)
- Tell a friend! The more people donating seeds to the library, the more robust this community resource will be.
Donating harvested seeds to the library:
- Save seeds from healthy plants.
- Bring your clean, dried seeds to the library in an envelope or well-sealed bag. (We only accept open-pollinated and heirloom varieties).
- Fill in a brief seed donation form. (Print at home or pick one up at the library)
- Drop your seeds off at the front desk of the Russell Branch.
We also accept donations of retail seed packets and any leftover seeds you may have from these packets if they have been well preserved. Please include the original envelope.
Seed Saving Resources:
- Basic Seed Saving from Seeds of Diversity Canada
- Seed Saving Basics by K. Rudy Blume, Institute of Urban Homesteading
- Seed Saving 101 by Innisfil Seed Library
