Do you participate in a seed library? Great way to get local landraces.

I have been recently learning about seed libraries and setting aside seeds to contribute to the one in my (nearby) town. They are often housed within regular public libraries, and unlike a seed bank, the seeds are grown out every year by community members, saved, and returned. This means your neighbors are developing locally-adapted landraces. It's a relatively new concept to me, but I was surprised there are several around here (and hundreds around the world - but mainly in the U.S.). You can borrow seeds even if you don't have any to contribute to start with, though you are making a commitment to bring some back after the growing season.

So I'm curious, have you participated in a seed library in the past? If so, what was your experience? Or, will you this year?

Oh! I forgot to mention, the last Saturday in January is National Seed Swap Day (in the U.S.). Even if you don't have access to a seed library, it's a good day to swap with friends

I was going to participate in one at our local library but it got cancelled because swapping seeds gives you covid. However! I am keeping an eye out for one this year. I just learned what landrace means (during the Lofthouse book giveaway here) and I can't wait to get started. I will not be sharing any seeds because my garden has nothing to offer yet. Hoping to start changing that.

Thanks and looking forward to this thread.

Dan Fish wrote:I was going to participate in one at our local library but it got cancelled because swapping seeds gives you covid. However! I am keeping an eye out for one this year. I just learned what landrace means (during the Lofthouse book giveaway here) and I can't wait to get started. I will not be sharing any seeds because my garden has nothing to offer yet. Hoping to start changing that.

Thanks and looking forward to this thread.

I found out that I'm able to share purchased seeds, not only the ones I grew and saved. For instance, seeds I ordered this year or last, but don't plan to use all of them myself. I figured, if two or three people grow all these seeds this year, and next year I plant some of the seeds we all saved, then I'm getting locally adapted seeds more quickly than if I grew the purchased seeds two or three years in a row. That's why I'd rather give away the excess and receive saved seeds next year, instead of holding on to these for myself. But I understand not everybody has leftovers to share.

Dan Fish wrote:swapping seeds gives you covid.

The city closest to me instituted seed libraries in the style of self-serve 'little free libraries' to address Covid risk.

Marisa Lee wrote:

Dan Fish wrote:I was going to participate in one at our local library but it got cancelled because swapping seeds gives you covid. However! I am keeping an eye out for one this year. I just learned what landrace means (during the Lofthouse book giveaway here) and I can't wait to get started. I will not be sharing any seeds because my garden has nothing to offer yet. Hoping to start changing that.

Thanks and looking forward to this thread.

I found out that I'm able to share purchased seeds, not only the ones I grew and saved. For instance, seeds I ordered this year or last, but don't plan to use all of them myself. I figured, if two or three people grow all these seeds this year, and next year I plant some of the seeds we all saved, then I'm getting locally adapted seeds more quickly than if I grew the purchased seeds two or three years in a row. That's why I'd rather give away the excess and receive saved seeds next year, instead of holding on to these for myself. But I understand not everybody has leftovers to share.

I volunteer with a neighborhood seed library. We have a mix of locally grown seed saved by gardeners and commercially purchased "extras" and some donations by seed companies and also by nonprofit groups.

Besides collecting and giving out seeds we've held some workshops, skillshares, and plant swaps.

We are just beginning to plan some coordinated growing/seed-saving projects.

Mk Neal wrote:

Besides collecting and giving out seeds we've held some workshops, skillshares, and plant swaps.

That sounds great! I hope my local one develops to the point of being able to do that. Right now it's basically one librarian doing the work, and it was just getting started when this pandemic happened, so off to a slow start.