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Seed Library
St. Helens Public Library Seed Library
The St. Helens Public Library and Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardeners are partnering to create a seed library!
Master Gardeners and SHPL are collaborating to conserve heirloom and local varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and native plants, in an effort to support sustainable gardening, self-sufficiency, and build community.
How does the seed library work?
The seed library has been created using commercial seeds donated by local area gardeners. Any extra seeds gardeners have and are willing to donate after planting their gardens each season will be welcomed. This fall and throughout the coming years the project will grow to include a seed exchange. Seed saving is a fun and rewarding gardening activity. It promotes self-sufficiency while teaching gardeners more about botany, how to improve their favorite open-pollinated varieties for our climate, and enhance other characteristics such as size and taste. Workshops are being planned to help create a community of seed savers with learning opportunities and a place to exchange experience. Together gardeners can contribute and learn more about plant life cycles from germination to pollination, garden planning to preserve genetic diversity, how to select for the best seed, and practical hands-on skills such as harvesting, threshing, winnowing, and seed storage.
What's happening now
We will be accepting donations of seeds from members of the community! If you have unused seeds that you would like to donate, bring them into the library with information about each variety and fill out a donation form and a seed saver signup form, available at the front desk.
Next steps
Then in February the seed library will be ready for community members to take seeds for your gardens!
What's happening next
Check the link below for our current seed inventory. Please note we check inventory once a week so the spreadsheet might not be up to date. We appreciate your understanding.
Resources
- Please review this list of noxious weeds before submitting seeds if you are unsure of their origin or status in Oregon. https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/Weeds/OregonNoxiousWeeds/Pages/AboutOregonWeeds.aspx
- Find local assistance and information about gardening by visiting the Oregon State University Extension Service website: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/columbia/gardening-landscape-small-farms-resources
A Seed Library Sign-Up Form must be completed for each gardener planning to submit seeds. Please be sure to read the Safe Seed Pledge before signing. Seeds submitted without a Signed Safe Seed Pledge on the Sign-Up Form will not be added to the collection. Forms are available for pick up at the library.
Seed library sign-up form
A Seed Donation Form must be completed for each variety of seed the gardener is submitting. Please include as much information as possible. All forms are also available for pick up at the library or use the link below for a fillable PDF form.
Seed donation form
Please Note: This is a free, donation-based service, so we cannot guarantee the quantity, availability, or germination rate of our seeds. All donors will attest that their seeds are non-hybrid and non-GMO seed varieties.
