Seed Library

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Borrowing seeds from Oregon Public Library is free and easy!

1. Check out seeds.
2. Grow your plants and enjoy the harvest.
3. Collect and return some seeds if you are able. There is no penalty for not returning seeds.

By participating in the seed library you are helping to create a culture of sharing and community. Saving seeds leads to a sustainable future for your community and your garden.

Seeds in the Collection

Native plants seeds were collected and donated by the Oregon Nature Alliance and Dane County Parks. 

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Planting Instructions

We will have information and planting instructions on all of our seeds. Download the instructions for all our seeds or pick up half sheets on the seeds you get when you come in. 

2024 Seed Library Planting Instructions (PDF)

Return Seeds

When returning seeds that came from our seed library, return the harvested seeds in the provided envelope. 

If you lost the envelope, please return the seeds as if they are a donation.

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Donate Seeds

We gladly accept donated seeds. Seeds that are not added to the library will be available for free to the public.

Put seeds in a paper envelope to prevent mold and return with the Seed Donation Form (PDF).

This is a perfect use for envelopes that you get in junk mail. Just be sure to label the sealed envelope with what's inside. 

Seeds must be:

• open pollinated variety
• for a non-invasive plant

Seeds donated that do not fit the criteria, will be available for free to the public.

More Information

• Gardening & Seed Saving Information page on Seed Savers Exchange website https://www.seedsavers.org/learn#seed-saving
• UW Extension https://dane.uwex.edu/horticulture/
• Ripple Effects Native Plants Winter Sowing Growing Guide https://www.ripple-effects.com/grow

For even more information, contact Kara Ripley at kripley [at] oregonlibrary.org (kripley[at]oregonlibrary[dot]org)