Gardening Help from ECPL : Seed Library Information

       Seeds libraries are designed to allow community members the ability to

     checkout seeds, plant them, properly dry them and return them for others 

     to use. This process helps to develop seeds that are better adapted to our   

     local environment and has the added benefit of saving money.

Want to make a difference for the residents of Erie?  Help combat food insecurity by donating seeds to the Seed Libraries.  Our seed catalogs are in need of many different types of seeds, whether vegetal or decorative. 

During this time of the summer, you may have flowers, herbs, vegetables or fruit, that are "going to seed" in your yard or garden.   If you are new to seed harvesting, there are different ways to collect seeds, depending on the type of plant.  Have some scissors handy if you need to clip pods or seed heads (you may also scrape seeds from fruit and rinse them off).  The most important part of the seed collecting process is to dry the seeds before you submit them to the seed library.  You can dry them in the direct sunlight, by spreading them on a flat surface, or you can even dry them in a paper bag (or bowl of rice).

 For more information, you may ask a Reference Librarian for books on harvesting, drying, and saving seeds.      

 Have you grown any plants from our seed library this year? Send us photos of your gardening successes via Facebook. Find us @ErieLibrary.

•        Select the seeds you would like, there may be check out limits at each location. Each packet contains enough seeds for 5—7 plants.
•       Take seeds to the desk for checkout - just like you would a book.
•       Grow your plants at home.
•       When you harvest your fruits and vegetables, save your seeds properly using the techniques in the library handouts.
•       For the more advanced gardeners and certainly not necessary: return your seeds to the library with a Seed Donation Form. Seed donation forms are at each seed library location.
•       For more information on how to save your seeds, visit the Garden Talk tab and listen to Mike and Ellen explain the process.

Important pieces of information:

•          It's important to note that the seed library is only sustainable if more seeds are donated than are taken. That being said, it's also important to know that you don't need to return seeds if you check some out and it's more important to donate good quality seeds than it is to return seeds at all.
•         Another important piece of information is that seeds in our seed catalog may have been donated by other patrons and as such, results are not guaranteed.
•         Easy seeds to save are those that don’t have to worry about cross pollination. These are great for beginners.
•         Advanced seeds may require more experience. Ask a reference librarian for information and resources on seed harvesting.