On-line Orientation to Library

Watch the on-line orientation video below, then come to the library to "borrow" seeds for free any time the public library is open.  You can "borrow" seeds from any drawer, but when you first get started, only save seeds from the "super easy" drawers. The idea is that people learn to save seeds and return some for others to use.

Don't save seeds from the  "easy" and "difficult" drawer for the library until you have learned more about seed saving. Visit our Seed Saving page for tips on how to save seeds so you can return seeds at the end of the season for others to borrow. We also offer a number of free classes on seed saving, which will be listed on our home page. Thanks for being a member of our community seed library.

Borrowing
1.         Fill in the membership form on the computer
            at the seed library or in the orange binder in
             the glass cabinet. Note: The first time you
            log onto the computer, you will have to
            register and create an account. Your email
            address will be your username. If the
            computer is down, use the paper back-up.
2.         Use the pre-stamped seed lending library  
             envelopes & fill out like below. (You can
            also print out the form at home and put it on
            your own envelope before coming to the                   library, especially helpful if donating.)
3.         Fill the envelope in completely. Refer to the
            blue resource binder in the library if you
            need to find a scientific name or the level of
            difficulty of a seed to save.
_________________________________________
Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library
Common Name:         Tomato                                      
Scientific name:    Solanum lycopersicum  
Variety: Brandywine                                 Harvester:  John O'Donnell
Year: 2009                                   
Location: Oakland                           
Notes: Delicious tomato. Indeterminant.
Difficulty of seed to be saved:
  X  Easy     _    Advanced

                          Thank you for saving seeds!
         Please return some at the end of the season.
                      Visit RichmondGrowsSeeds.org
_________________________________________
4.         Put seeds in envelope. Take 2-3 seeds for
            every plant you intend to grow this
             season.
5.         Enter the seed information on the computer.

Returning or Donating

You may donate seeds you grew or commercially grown seeds. Please do not share hybrid seeds - or at least clearly label them. Read our guidelines for returning seeds and our seed protocol.

1. For saved seeds, write the following information on an envelope:
Common name: Tomato                                   
Scientific name: Solanum lycopersicum       
Variety: Brandywine                                     
Harvester:  April Gardner                              
Location of harvest: Richmond                          
Year: 2010                                                     
Notes: Dry farmed, great tasting  tomato      
Difficulty of seed to be saved:
  X  Easy     _    Advanced
_________________________________________

The returning seeds labels can be printed by clicking here.
2.   Enter the returned or donated seed information         on the computer at the library or in the orange
      binder, if the computer is down.
3.    Put seeds in the appropriate drawer. Seeds are        organized by family and the system is color-              coded for ease of use. Look at the
       the list of common plants and their respective
       drawer numbers on the glass cabinet.

Seed Protocol

When bringing seeds to share, read the Seed Protocol to make sure we have a healthy and genetically diverse seed collection.

Need to find the scientific name?

The USDA has a search system that will help you find the current scientific name of different plants.