Seed Library

Plants grown from our seed library

Borrow, grow, return

We house our seed library at our Scotland-Oakland Branch. Thank you to everyone who has borrowed and donated seeds. Remember to save seeds throughout the growing season and return them to the seed library in the fall.

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How to borrow

There is no limit to the number of seed packets you may borrow, however, please take only what you intend to grow during the season. Be sure to save seeds from what is grown to return to the seed library in the fall. Contact the Seed Librarian by email or by phone to learn about all available seeds. Our seed collection may be browsed in-person at the Scotland-Oakland Branch (don't forget your mask!).

Complete the Seed Library request form here or fill out a paper copy at your local library branch.
Use the comments section on the form to let us know what type of seeds you're looking for. You can be specific or more general (e.g. "daisies" or "perennial seeds").
Wait to be notified: when your seeds are ready for pickup, library staff at your pickup location will let you know.

Explore the dropdown menu to view some of our past varieties:

Flowers & Perennials

Bachelor's Button (Mixed Colours)
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudebeckia Hirta)
Butterfly Mixture
Calendula (Double Mixed Colours)
Cleome (Spider Flower)
Cosmos (Sensation Mix)
Datura
Echinacea (Deep Orange, Purple Cone Flower)
Flase Indigo Baptisia
Forget-Me-Not
Four O’Clock (Marvel of Peru)
Gallardia (Traditional and Mesa Red Blanket Flower)
Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath)
Lovage
Marigold (Orange, Yellow)
Morning Glory (Mixed Colours)
Nasturtiums (Climbing, Jewel Mix)
Obedient Plant
Peony (Red, Oriental, Shirley Double)
Sea Oat Grass
Sunflower (Autumn Beauty, Bee Friendly, Giant Gray Stripe, Mixed Colours)
Tulip Tree
Zinnia (Lilliput Mixed)

Herbs

Chives
Coriander
Dill
Garlic Chives
Parsley (Champion Curled)

Fruits & Vegetables

Beet (Kestrel Hybrid)
Beans (Purple Climbing, Romano)
Cabbage (Caraflex)
Carrot (Flyaway)
Cauliflower (Mardi)
Corn (Ornamental)
Corn (Sweet, "Early Eh" Peaches and Cream Variety)
Cucumber (Patio Snackers, Wisconsin)
Eggplant (Black Beauty)
Fennel
Kale (Vates Dwarf Blue Curled)
Kohlrabi (Superschmeltz)
Lettuce (Marveille Four Season, Salad Bowl Red, Simply Salad Blend)
Onion (Borettana, Patterson)
Pepper (Arapaho, California Wonder, Large Red Thick Cayenne, Mad Hatter, Paprik, Yes to Yellow)
Pumpkin (Jack Be Little, Jack O’Lantern, Pie)
Radish (Cherry Belle, Sparkler White Tip)
Spinach (Monstrueux de Viroflay)
Squash (Buttercup, Butternut, Spaghetti)
Swiss Chard (Lucullus)
Tomato (Bonny Best, Cherry Varietals, Roadster, Stupice)

Upcoming gardening programs

Weeds: Friend or Foe? - Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Learn how to manage weeds! Pesky and invasive, or are they as troublesome as you think?

When: Tuesday, March 7
Time: 7-8 PM
Location: Paris Branch (12 William Street, Paris, Ontario)
Register online or connect with your local library branch and sign up with staff.

Growing Vegetables - Tuesday, March 14, 2023

From first steps to seasonal maintenance, join Equal Grounds and learn how to plant a vegetable garden.

When: Tuesday, March 14
Time: 7-8 PM
Location: Burford Branch (24 Park Avenue, Burford, Ontario)
Register online or connect with your local library branch and sign up with staff.

Waterscapes & Container Gardening - Tuesday, March 21, 2023

A special guest will be here to teach us about creating beautiful and unique container gardens and using water wisely.

When: Tuesday, March 21
Time: 7-8 PM
Location: Paris Branch (12 William Street, Paris, Ontario)
Register online or connect with your local library branch and sign up with staff.

Resplendent Roses - Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Join us and welcome Roland Craig, local rose gardener and enthusiast. Roland will teach you about soil types, the environment, and placement and care of roses.

When: Tuesday, March 28
Time: 7-8 PM
Location: St. George Branch
Register online or connect with your local library branch and sign up with staff.

Seeds donations always welcome

We need your help to "grow" our inventory! Donations are being accepted now. Here's how you can help:

Complete our seed library donation form, then attach the form to an envelope filled with the saved seeds.
Drop your donation at any of our branches.

Questions?

Email our "Seed Librarian" for more information.

Borrow gardening tools

Seed resources

Basic Seed Saving - Seeds of Diversity Canada
Borrow a book about seed saving
Canadian Seed Catalogue - Seeds of Diversity Canada
Seed Saving Basics by K.Ruby Blume - Institute of Urban Homesteading
Watch our "Let's Get Growing" series on our YouTube Channel
Watch our "Seed Library Intro" video on our YouTube Channel