What is our seed library all about?

 

     On February 29, 2020, CPL launched our seed library. Our mission is to encourage our community to start or continue home gardens, to educate people about seed starting and seed saving methods, to save patrons money by offering a community seed bank, and to preserve the genetic diversity of plants.

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     We have a resource binder located next to the seed library. You will find some great information in there including: articles on starting a garden, planting charts, pest control tips, seed saving, weed identification, companion planting charts, planting charts, information on composting and soil testing, hardiness zone maps, and more.

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     Thank you to the following organizations for their generous seed donations: Select Seeds, UCONN Master Gardener Program, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

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Seed Library Policies

   Borrowing Seeds:

• You do not have to have a library card to take seeds.

• We ask that everyone taking seeds fill out the Seed Borrowing Log with the date, types of seeds taken, and number of packets.

• Seeds are arranged by type (vegetable, herb, flower) and then alphabetically by common name. Older seeds are placed in front of newer seeds.

• We ask that you only take what you'll use so that we will have enough seeds for everyone.

  • For larger seeds like squash, ​please take 3-5 per variety.

  • For smaller seeds such as carrots or herbs, please take a pinch.

• Blank envelopes and labels are located beside the seed library and can be used for each seed variety you choose.

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   Lending Seeds:

    If you'd like to donate seeds to our library, please follow these guidelines:

• We only accept hybrid seeds if they come from a seed company; hybrid seeds from your own plants may produce unpredictable offspring​.

• Organic, non-GMO seeds are preferred but we will take other types!

• We only accept open-pollinated seeds if they come from plants that were only grown around the same variety. For example, if you grew several kinds of squash near each other, the resulting seeds may produce hybrid plants. If you only grow one variety, such as crookneck yellow squash but no other kinds in the Curcubit family, those seeds would likely not produce hybrids so we would accept those.

• Fill out the seed label and include it with your seed donations - one form per type of seed.

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