Our Seed Library is OPEN for the season!
When you are out purchasing seeds for your garden this year please consider purchasing one or two extra packets to donate to our seed library. We need to restock our supply. Join our Harwinton Grows Facebook group to learn more about harvesting seeds from your own garden!
Our Mission
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The mission of Harwinton Grows Seed Library is to provide seeds for the community and encourage our members to embrace biodiversity.
The Seed Library is a free program committed to increasing our ability to feed ourselves wholesome food. We offer seeds and education.
Harwinton Grows
A seed library is a way of collecting and sharing seeds to encourage biodiversity and to produce better local plants and produce.
We hope to preserve our local agricultural biodiversity by focusing on rare, local and heirloom seeds. In addition, we hope to promote home gardening for flowers and vegetables.
We have a large selection of seeds that you can “borrow”. These seeds have been generously donated from reputable seed companies and local seed library members.
Library Organization
The Library is organized alphabetically by the general name for the plant.
How does it work?
The seed library operates on the honor system. You become a member automatically when you withdraw seeds to plant.
1. Select seeds from our collection
2. Package and label your seeds, taking 5 seeds for every one plant you wish to grow. If you can use a whole packet please feel free to take it.
3. Plant and Enjoy
4. Save Seeds (if you wish) and return a portion to the Library to be shared with others.
Why Save Seeds?
Humans have been saving seeds for over 12,000 years. However, in our culture much of that knowledge has been lost over the last hundred years, along with significant biodiversity. When you grow and save your own seeds, you:
• develop seed stock that is well suited to our climate
• save money
• mitigate our dependence on agro-business
A seed library creates a culture of sharing and abundance.
We encourage all members to learn basic seed-saving techniques so that you can return seeds, allowing us to create a self-sustaining library!
Donating Seeds
1. Save seed from your crops.
2. Seeds for the library should be in envelopes with the Seed Label (provided by the Library).
3. Bring your labeled seeds to the Library and place them in the incoming seed box.
Books available at the library:
• Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth
• The Complete Guide to Seed Saving by Robert Gough
• The Seed Underground by Janisse Ray
• Seed Libraries by Cindy Conner
• Movie: Seed the Untold Story
Check out these websites:
