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Planting GuideHere is a Planting Times Guide listing of what to plant each month of the year (in Spanish too).
Create a Seed Library It's easy to create your own seed lending library or locate a sister seed library. To the extent possible under law, Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library resources. These resources are in the public domain to support other communities to launch similar projects in their own community for the benefit of all. |
Seed Library Census 2024
In 2010, we opened Richmond Grows. We wanted to create seed libraries as a replicable model so we designed the "Create a Library" resources and started the Sister Seed Library list. There are now 2,600 seed libraries on our list. It's time to revisit that list, update the material, create a map, and identify what resources are out there that would benefit other communities. Volunteer to be a Seed Library Census Volunteer. Volunteers will be using our existing list to email seed libraries to update their information as well as do some research to see if there are other seed libraries in their area not currently on the list. The Census will take place from January-March of 2024. Join us!
New to Gardening?
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What's a Seed Lending Library?A seed lending library is a place where you can borrow seeds for free. You may be asking, “How can you ‘borrow’ seeds?” The basic is idea is that you plant the seeds, let some go to seed, then return some of these next generation seeds for others to borrow. (Don’t worry. We don’t have fines if you don’t return seeds.)
We encourage home gardeners to save seeds from the "super easy" plants: tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and peas. Do not save seeds from plants in the "easy" or "difficult" drawer until you have more experience seed saving. Learn more about seed saving. Richmond Grows is a non-profit seed lending library located in the public library. We’re open whenever the public library is open. You do not need to have Richmond Public Library card to use the seed library, but we do ask people to watch our on-line orientation. We provide free classes on organic gardening and seed saving, and of course, you can also borrow books from the public library on these topics.
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Envelopes - Grow Out Program
Return quality seed that is well labeled. Use our envelope labels (make a copy) or see if the variety you are growing already has a label pre-made on our Grow Out Program list.
NOTE: Some plants readily cross pollinate, such as sunflowers, corn, and brassicas. If you are saving seeds from these plants and did not cage or hand-pollinate them, write "Crossed?" on the packet.
NOTE: Some plants readily cross pollinate, such as sunflowers, corn, and brassicas. If you are saving seeds from these plants and did not cage or hand-pollinate them, write "Crossed?" on the packet.
Face-Place-Story
Video about Richmond Grows' Co-Founder Rebecca Newburn's garden