Seed Library

On Saturday, October 17, we wrapped up our seed library for another year.  The seeds we saved will go into a cool dry place until next spring when we start thinking about gardening again.

We started the Seed Library in September 2013.  The idea originated with two local residents, Ivan and Shan, who were also members of Transition Collingwood.  We invited Jacob Kearey-Moreland to come and address a small group on the topic of saving garden seeds. Jacob had founded the Orillia Seed Library, which is housed in the Orillia Public Library. At the time, the Meaford Public Library was also starting a seed library, so the idea was in the zeitgeist.  The following April we organized a fundraiser, screening the film Revolution at the Gayety, and used the proceeds to purchase heirloom organic seeds to launch the seed library properly. In the spring of 2015, we decided to move the seed library from behind the desk to the public area and encouraged people to help themselves. Within a few weeks, all of the seeds were gone—out into the world to feed the families of the Collingwood area.

What is a Seed Library?

A seed library is a place where local gardeners can share seeds saved from their own gardens.  Public libraries are good repositories for these collections, because they are community spaces, their mandate is to facilitate the exchange of information and to create community cohesiveness, and libraries are open long hours, so they are accessible.

How Does a Seed Library Work?

In the spring, we put out bins of donated seeds.  The seeds are packaged in small envelopes and labeled.  The labeling can be minimal—e.g. “Red Sail Lettuce – 2015”—or more detailed, with planting instructions, etc.. Obviously, the more detail, the better, for the gardener who will plant them.  The seeds are free, but we ask that if you take some seeds home to plant then please harvest some of the seed and return it to the library in the fall.  If you are unsure about how to save garden seeds, help yourself to one of our brochures or check our website for some helpful advice.  You are welcome to donate any extra seed you have to the library.  We have launched the seed library with heirloom seed varieties, which we purchased with generous financial donations from the Collingwood community.  Heirloom seeds breed true to type, which is to say, when you plant these seeds, they will grow plants just like their parents.  This can’t be said of commercially grown hybrid varieties.

Why Start a Seed Library?

The idea is to develop a stock of seed over time that is well-suited to the Collingwood environment. Seed sharing builds community resiliency and fosters healthy eating habits.  As seed saving has fallen out of fashion, and as we turn more and more to large commercial operations for our seed stock, many heirloom varieties have disappeared, contributing to a loss of diversity.  Local varieties are often very well adapted to local conditions and generally taste better and are healthier than something you might buy in a supermarket that has had to travel a long way to reach your dinner table.

Also, it’s just fun.