Seed Library

The Salem Public Library launched its Seed Library on May 13th, 2017, with support from the Friends of Salem Library and the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Seeds were generously donated by Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co., and the Seed Exchange, as well as Northwest Hardware on Williamson Road in Roanoke.

Why have a Seed Library?

Highlights emphasis on heirloom seeds and growing your own fresh produce.
Encourages direct engagement with and between local citizens
Increases visibility of the movement to cultivate independence from commercially- produced seeds
Improves your health, combats stress, and makes you more likely to eat fresh produce if you grow it yourself

What is a Seed Library?

The Salem Seed Library is a free lending library with a collection of heirloom vegetable seeds as well as flower and herb seeds available for our patrons to grow at home. You do not need to have a library card to participate. This program encourages health and learning by helping our residents try a variety of seeds.

How does it work?

Borrow

The seeds you borrow are lent to you free of charge. Our hope is that by taking these seeds, you will make a commitment to planting and growing them with the intention of returning the seeds from successfully-harvested plants to keep the growing cycle going!

To borrow seeds from our Seed Library:

Select up to five types of vegetable, flower, and/or herb seeds for your home garden from our print catalog.
Fill out the slips provided and take to the Circulation desk to check out your seeds.
Leave your contact information with library staff if you would like to be informed about future gardening programs or check our online calendar of events.
Take any handouts (growing guides, etc.) that will help you with your garden.

Grow

Once you have "checked out" your seeds, it's time for the fun part: growing them into productive plants! By taking the time to plan, prepare, and care for your garden throughout the growing season, you'll ensure that your flowers, herbs, vegetables, or fruits will live a full life cycle - complete with viable seeds to save and return to the Salem Seed Library.

Return

As the season draws to a close, pick up some empty seed packets from the Seed Library. There will be spaces to note the type of seed, season year, location of growing, and more so the next person to use your seeds can grow with knowledge and confidence. After the season, carefully follow instructions to harvest and dry your seeds (available here and in print at the Salem Seed Library)..

Please be certain that:

The plant from which you are harvesting seeds was not diseased.
You do not try to save seeds from hybrid plants (they will not produce plants that are the same as the parent plants).
The plants from which you harvest seeds are organically grown, or if they are not, you clearly mark this on the seed packet.

Notes about returning or donating seeds:

Seed packets for returning seed are available at the Circulation Desk.
You can place however many seeds you would like to in the seed packet to pass on to the next gardener, but we ask for enough seeds to enable the next gardener to successfully grow at least three viable plants.
Make a note on the seed packet if this plant has an interesting or endearing history-part of this process reveling in the unique nature of these seeds!
Also, when possible, note the growing conditions, number of days to maturity, etc., and anything that will help the next grower to be successful.
Bring sealed, completed seed packet(s) to the Circulation Desk.
You are welcome to bring in new seeds or seed packets to donate to our Seed Library.

If you would like more information about the Salem Seed Library, please call the library at 540-375-3089 and our staff would be happy to answer any questions you may have.