What’s a Seed Library?
Seed libraries are places to get free seeds to plant and grow your own garden–and we have one! We have re-purposed a card catalog to store all the seeds for borrowing.
Where we get seeds
Seeds are given to us from various companies and local gardeners/farmers who donate their seeds from harvest. Seed libraries promote community, protect seed diversity, saves families money, and teaches about the agricultural roots of our region.
Saving local seeds
The goal is to create a self-sustaining seed library where growers who "borrow" seeds will save and return seed to the library after they have harvested their crops. Those seeds will then be offered to borrowers during the next growing season and the cycle can repeat itself. Over time, the seeds become stronger and increasingly acclimated to local growing conditions.
Donating seeds
Consider donating to the TADL Seed Library at the Reference Desk today! Just drop seeds off any way you can, and we will sort them into appropriate amounts for “borrowing”. (See the videos below if you're not sure how to save seeds.)
It’s easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Take some free seeds to plant at home.
- Watch them grow!
- Bring back seeds or bulbs from your new plants to replenish our stock and keep the Seed Library growing
The Seed Library is located on the 2nd Floor of the Main Library - at the top of the staircase.
It is seasonal. Keep an eye out for it in March and expect it to be taken down in September.
Thank you to Eden Brothers for donating seeds to our 2025 Seed Library!
Crop-by-Crop Growing Guides Expand your gardening and seed saving knowledge with helpful tips, how-to growing guides, seed saving considerations, and more.
Any questions, thoughts or comments? Or maybe you would like to help sort seeds? Please EMAIL, CHAT or call 231-932-8502.
How to Save Seeds
Seed Saving Resources
Check out the following webpages from Seed Savers Exchange to learn more about saving seeds:
Saving Seeds: Where to Start Whether you’re new to seed saving or want to brush up on the practice, these seed saving basics are a smart place to start.
How to Store Seeds Follow these three simple steps for learning how to save your own seeds.
Home Germination Test At one point or another, every gardener has stumbled upon a forgotten packet of seed on a high shelf or in the back of a dark cupboard. The seed may bring a season of bounty or disappointment. Before wasting hours of labor and precious garden space on seed that won’t return the flavor, you may want to test the germination rate.