For Vancouver’s FarmFolk CityFolk, “Sow, Grow, Save, Share” is the motto of little seed libraries. Mimicking the Little Free Library boxes that have popped up on street corners and neighborhood parks across North America, little seed libraries differ from traditional seed libraries, where seeds are signed out or loaned with the expectation that seeds harvested from the plant at the end of the season are returned to the library. These seed repositories are neighborhood enclaves where seeds harvested from gardens or those extra few seeds that didn’t make it into the garden can be shared neighbor to neighbor, no questions asked.
The fact that seeds are being shared at no cost is the first perk of little seed libraries. But there’s so much more! These libraries bring greater food security to the neighborhood. By sharing tomatoes, pumpkin, or zucchini seeds, more people can grow food. Seeds left at the library are often seeds saved from a neighbor’s garden just down the street. These seeds come from plants already adapted to the local area, making them more likely to do well in your garden. A local seed library can be a treasure trove of rare open-pollinated seeds unavailable commercially. It’s also a cost-friendly way to reduce waste.
Anyone can build a little seed library. Where I live in Vancouver, small neighborhood grants of up to $500 (CDN) are available for those eager to share their gardens. If your community doesn’t have similar programs, see if neighbors or groups will chip in for the materials needed to build the library. Maybe a local community garden or garden club wants to be involved!
A little seed library is typically a tiny wooden structure resembling a house. Decorated with paint and labeled as a seed library, it is raised on a concrete stand. When building a seed library, ensuring a door that closes securely prevents neighborhood critters, such as mice or squirrels, from accessing all those yummy seeds. It’s also crucial that the library is waterproof. If seeds get wet, they may start to germinate prematurely. Some libraries have compartments for seed separation: a place for veggies and one for flower seeds. Many have guidelines on the inside reminding users to label their seeds and donate them in waterproof packets.
Accessibility matters. In many cities, little seed libraries can be found at the entrance to the local community garden. But they don’t have to be. They can be (with permission) placed in a community center parking lot, an underground parkade, or a front yard. Somewhere visible and easily accessible is best.
After the seed library is built, it’s time to start sharing seeds and spreading the word. Social media is a great way to inform people about your community seed library. Encourage users to post their successes to a local Facebook page. Sharing what they grew from the library can generate additional interest in your community.
For millennia, people have harvested and shared seeds. This has created a biodiverse array of flowering plants and a wealth of unique vegetables and foods that have kept the planet’s ecosystem thriving. Little Seed Libraries are just another way to continue that tradition.
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This article originally appeared in Garden Culture Magazine UK30 & US28. Ten years ago, at a local gardening group, I heard an elderly gardener extolling
This article originally appeared in Garden Culture Magazine UK31 & US29. Our food security begins and ends with seeds. Heirloom and organic seeds, in particular,
