#PleasantvilleNY - #SeedLibrary

#MtPleasantPublicLibrary

"#GrowYourOwn garden with the help of our Seed Library—a collection of quality, regional flower and vegetable seeds that you can 'check out' for free at the Main Library.

What is a Seed Library?

A Seed Library is a collection of flower and vegetable seeds that you can 'check out' for free. Some Seed Libraries include seeds that have been saved by library patrons, or seeds donated from nurseries. We might have those sources one day at Mt. Pleasant Library, but for now we have seeds purchased from quality regional seed producers in #Maine and #AccordNY.

The purpose of a Seed Library is to encourage #SustainableGardening and #biodiversity by providing free access to seeds. These initiatives empower community members to grow their own food; learn #SeedSaving skills; preserve local, rare, or #HeirloomPlant varieties; and reduce reliance on #CommercialSeedCompanies. This helps combat seed #monocultures that threaten the world's food supply.

How does our Seed Library work?

- Go to the Gardening Special Collection at the Main Library and browse our Seed Library binder which includes details about each type of seed we offer.
- Help yourself to up to 5 seed packets per visit.
- Fill out a short form listing which seeds you took and if there are any seeds you want to request so that we can keep our Seed Library well stocked.
- Go and plant a garden!

What kind of seeds do we have?

- Vegetables, such as Amish Paste Organic Tomato, Marketmore and 76 Organic Cucumber
- Herbs, such as Genovese Basil
- Flowers, such as Purple Stem Asters, which are a great source of nectar for #bumblebees and other #pollinators in the #HudsonValley, and #SpottedJoePyeWeed, which is a native, locally sourced perennial that supports #butterfly populations
Check out our Seed Library binder for the full list of seeds we offer!"

FMI:
https://www.mountpleasantlibrary.org/index.php/collections/seed-library

#SolarPunkSunday #SeedSharing #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule #GYO #GardeningForPollinators #SeedLibraries

#BangorME woman creates a free #SeedlingLibrary to help gardeners and find community

by Elizabeth Walztoni April 26, 2026

"The wooden box on a post outside Amanda Moscone’s Bangor home looks like most little free libraries, where people typically take or leave books

"But opening the door reveals shelves of greenery instead: potted houseplants, cuttings and propagated leaves. A smaller box below it holds free vegetable seed packets and pots."

Read more:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/04/26/homestead/homestead-weekly/bangor-free-seedling-library-joam40zk0w/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/cxQZG

#SolarPunkSunday #LittleLibraries #FreeLibraries #FreeSeedlingLibrary #GardeningInMaine #Sharing #LittleSeedLibrary #SeedLibrary

#ScotlandGrows - #ShetlandKale

by Cairi Balmain

"I want to draw your attention to a rare Scottish heritage vegetable called Shetland #Kail / #Kale. I have been eating lots of the young leaves recently and wanted to share my love of this not so commonly known vegetable, its history, why it’s so special, and why it should be a staple in Scottish vegetable gardens.

What is Shetland Kale?

Shetland Kale is one of the most productive crops grown in Shetland and officially is classified as a #cabbage. Traditionally, in Shetland the hearts were eaten like a normal cabbage, while the leaves were given to the cattle and this still continues on some #crofts today. I like to eat the young leaves as it is a waste letting them go tough when you do not have cattle to feed! When they are small and tender, the leaves taste nice and peppery and go very well with other types of kale in meals. I like to make kale crisps in the dehydrator or oven.

What is Its History?

Shetland Kale is the oldest known Scottish variety and has been grown in Shetland since the 17th century. Before the era of cheap oil, all #ShetlandCrofts grew crops including #oats, #bere, #neeps, #potatoes, and Shetland Kale. Due to the challenges of the weather in Shetland, seeds were sown in #PlantieCrubs: circular stone walled enclosures where the plants were protected from wind, frost, rabbits, and grazing animals. The seeds were grown successfully here, then were transplanted into kail yards, also made with stone walls to protect them from the near constant wind! There are still many ruined #KailYards visible in the islands, not used any more but part of the landscape heritage of Shetland.

Why Does it Need Saving?

Shetland Kale has been registered as a #ConservationVariety due to its decline in usage over the past thirty years, and until recently the seed’s survival was dependent on local crofters saving their seed and passing it on. Recently, however, there has been a resurgence of people wanting to grow the heritage seed. Shetland Kale Seed Producers Network has recently released seed that I bought from Planticrub, the local garden centre in Shetland. You can find information on Shetland Kale and where to buy it through the Shetland Kale Growers Seed Network. You also might be lucky and find it in a local #SeedSwap #SeedLibrary or meet.

How to Grow

Since not many people have, or have need of, a stone polycrub these days, sow the seeds like normal brassicas inside the house or greenhouse in March/April. Plant out with the other kale, cabbages, and broccoli in late April/early May and harden off in the usual manner. You can also grow them with successive sowings through the Spring and Summer to keep a constant supply. Shetland Kale takes up a lot of space, so space the plants well or they will take over!

I like to harvest a few leaves at a time off each plant when they are young and tender and leave the heart to develop into a cabbage to eat in the Winter. It makes a unique #kimchi! Shetland Kale is hardy so will survive the Scottish Winter fine outside. Shetlanders normally leave a few plants to go to seed the second year to see the beautiful yellow flowers come out and to harvest the seed. To save the seed from your own Shetland Kale and help save this heritage seed, harvest the pods when they have turned brown and slightly brittle, place on a cloth to prevent seed loss and thresh the pods by rubbing between the hands. Then store in a cool area."

https://scotlandgrowsmagazine.com/2020/10/22/shetland-kale/

#SolarPunkSunday #Scotland #TraditionalFoods #SeedSaving #EndangeredSpecies #GrowYourOwn #SeedSaving

The Ann Arbor District Library has a "seed sampler" program which distributes up to 5 small packets of a variety of seeds to start in your garden. Some varieties are available now, others will be available 1 May.

https://aadl.org/2026SeedSampler

#AADL #SeedLibrary

Keep your eyes out for the return of the #VictoriaSeedLibrary!

#SeedDonation bins will be popping up this month at library branches across #VictoriaBC & #seeds will be available to take out at the Downtown Public Library during opening hours. Support local #SeedSecurity by saving and donating seeds. 🌱

#LifecyclesProjectSociety #nonprofit #FreeSeeds #SeedLibrary #LocalSeeds #ShareSeeds #CultivatingCommunities #SeedsForCommunity #YYJ #FoodSecurity #FoodSystems #FoodEquity #gardening #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PublicLibraries

Seeds y'all!

It took me a day and a half but I entered all my seeds into a list on my computer. I have over five hundred varieties, mostly food crops but lots of other things as well.

This is in support of a #SeedLibrary and to help with planning for Spring.

#Permaculture #Gardening #SolarPunk

#NashvilleTN - #SeedSwap and Share at #ShelbyPark Community Center
#NashvillePublicLibrary #SeedExchange

When: Saturday, February 28, 2026 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Description: "Join us for a seed swap and share, co-hosted by Nashville Public Library and the Shelby Park Community Center. Bring seeds to share and swap, or drop by to select seeds and chat with fellow gardeners. All are welcome - no registration required."

Event held offsite at Shelby Park Community Center, 401 S 20th Street, Nashville, TN 37206.

For more information about preparing and labeling seeds for swapping, visit https://library.nashville.org/event/seed-exchange.

"Our Seed Protocol [linked below] includes guidelines for properly saving and preparing seeds to share."
https://library.nashville.gov/events/seed-exchange

#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #SeedLibrary #SeedSharing #BuildingCommunity #Gardening
Nashville Public Library

#ChinaME: Does your town have a #SeedLibrary

by Jude Hsiang
April 23, 2025

"Does your town have a Seed Library? Seed Libraries are found all over the world, enabling gardeners to save money and try new types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers."

Read more:
https://townline.org/china-does-your-town-have-a-seed-library/

#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #BorrowDontBuy #SeedLibraries #SeedExchange #GrowYourOwn #Gardening #Maine

#CamdenME - Check-Out Seeds

"Would you like to take some seeds from the #SeedLibrary for your own garden? Follow the steps below to check out the seeds you want to take!"

FMI:
https://www.librarycamden.org/seedlibrary/

#SolarPunkSunday #BorrowDontBuy #SeedLibraries #SeedExchange #GrowYourOwn #Gardening #Maine

#PortlandCT - Garden Club #SeedSwap Jan. 31 in Portland, Connecticut

"Celebrate National Seed Swap Day with the Portland River Valley Garden Club on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Waverly Center, 7 Waverly Ave, Portland, Connecticut.

"Thanks to our sponsors - Burpee Seeds, Harts Seeds, NE Seed, MI Gardener and Baker Creek Seeds - we have a large selection of seeds available for you to take and swap. You can also bring labeled seeds saved from your garden or unopened seed packets from last year.

"Club members will be offering demos on making #SeedBombs, #WinterSowing and growing #microgreens. Plant #basil or #chive seeds to take home. Visit #RiverBendBookshop’s pop-up garden-themed #BookFair and learn about the Portland Library’s #SeedLibrary. Delicious comfort food and refreshments will be available.

Admission is free; food bank donations are encouraged."

For more details, visit the Portland River Valley Garden Club website: https://portland-river-valley-garden-club.blogspot.com/

Source:
https://seedswapday.blogspot.com/2026/

#SolarPunkSunday #Connecticut #NationalSeedSwapDay #GrowYourOwn #SeedExchange #BuildingCommunity
#Gardening #SharingKnowledge