Below are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) librarian have when starting and maintaining a Seed Library. Questions have been generated from past round tables. This answers are solely the opinions and advice from another librarians. There is no wrong or right answer and everyone’s seed library will differ based on their mission, budget, staffing, and community.
1. Where can I purchase seeds in bulk?
Seed Saver Exchange (https://www.seedsavers.org), Hudson Valley Seed Company (https://hudsonvalleyseed.com), Fedco Seeds (https://fedcoseeds.com/seeds), Johnny’s Selected Seeds (https://www.johnnyseeds.com/)
2. What was your initial budget for buying seeds in bulk?
A good initial budget for starting a Seed library would be $300. This would give you about 1000 packets of seeds if you bought in bulk and divided seeds in packets. Each seed packet should have 5-15 seeds depending on the variety. You would want 20- 30 carrots plants where you would only want 3-5 tomato plants on average for a small backyard garden. Avoid purchasing seeds with short viability in too much quantity (example: asters, delphinium, leeks, onions, parsley, parsnip, and phlox)
See Regina’s Seed Ordering/Packaging Matrix: https://longislandseedlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Seed-Ordering-Matrix-Sheet1.pdf
3. What Seeds are the most popular?
Flowers: Marigolds, Cosmos, Sunflowers;
Herbs: Basil, Cilantro and Dill
Vegetables: Cucumbers, Eggplant, Pepper, and Tomatoes Note: Cilantro and Dill must sowed a few weeks apart for a continual harvest, so you may want to purchase larger quantities if you find they are popular.
4. What are some examples of Seeds that can be started late in the growing season?
Kale, Spinach, Arugula, Lettuce, Peas, radish, carrots, turnips, broccoli, cabbage, onions, and cauliflower are some common “Cool weather plants” that can be started in the spring and late summer. These are great for Seed libraries who want to provide seeds into the Fall or are getting a “late” start to launching their seed library.
5. What does a sample seed label look like; what information should I include?
Set your patrons up for success! Include information such as light and germination requirements and the date seed was packaged. The lifespan of seeds is limited, so only include viable seeds in your seed library.
6.) What size envelopes and labels should I use?
A good size Coin Envelope is : 2 1/2 x 4 1/4″ Coin Envelopes are available for purchase at Staples and Uline. The shipping label that fits this size envelope is Avery 5163 – 2” x 4” 10 labels per sheet.
7. Do you have any ideas of sources of grants or seed donations?
Grants can be found by searching, but they are often offered at various times of the year and have a limited number of awardees.
Here are a few to investigate:
Seed Saver Exchange: Donate a variety of seed packets. Often wide variety; some which may be unknown to your community: Seed Donation Program – Seed Savers Exchange
Hudson Valley Seed Company: Donation seeds must be used for planting. Please do not use them for fundraising or resale. Groups must be a food or gardening focused not-for-profit organization and be able to say where the seeds will be planted. This could be a school or community garden organization that will be distributing seeds to gardeners in need. https://hudsonvalleyseed.com/pages/seed-donations
8. How many seed packets are patrons allowed to borrow? Middle Country Public Library allows 4 packets of seed per visit. There is no one-size-fits-all formula, but it would be dependent on your budget, the size of your community, and of course, your administration. Remember this can be adjusted from year to year.
9. What are some examples of native seeds flower (for Long Island)?
- Black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Sunflowers Helianthus annuus
- Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata
See Handout: Recommended Plants for Pollinators & Beneficial Insects: California Deserts & Southern Nevada (xerces.org)
10. Where can I purchase Native Seeds?
Hudson Valley Seed Company – https://hudsonvalleyseed.com
11. How long are the seeds good + what do you do with soon-to-expire seeds?
Use viability sheets to determine what seeds are almost past their prime. Since you will want to set your patrons up for success, you will want to be sure the seeds you distribute are viable.
Viability Charts (Note there is variability among the longevity of seed viability in these charts, so go with the lower number when in doubt)
Ideas for soon-to-expire Seeds:
- Put them in a bird feeder, birds love seeds!
- Host a seed swap (be sure to create signage indicating that all seeds may not be viable)
- Make Seed Bombs
- For seeds that are of the leafy varieties–repackage for micro greens.
- Use as a teaching tool for Pre-germination Class! Test your seeds: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/give-seeds-test-performance
12. Where should I store my seeds?
Best place is to keep them in a cool, dark, dry place.