The Ravenswood Seed Library is a free program whose goal is to strengthen our community of gardeners by sharing biodiverse, locally-adapted seeds. The seed library operates on the honor system to maintain a well-stocked collection of pure, healthy, viable seeds for the community to use.
- Browse our seed records and select the varieties you'd like. Feel free to take any varieties you'd like, but please take no more than two of any seed variety.
- Bring your seed packets to the front desk when you're ready to check out. A current account with the Jackson County Public Libraries is all that's required to take out seeds from our library.
- Grow your plants! Care instructions are available for each of our varieties, and we have a variety of books to help gardeners of all skill levels.
- Harvest your seeds. If this is your first time harvesting seeds, please only return varieties which are marked as "Beginner" difficulty.
- Return your seeds to the library in a sealed envelope or bag, along with one of our "Seed Donation Forms". If this is your first time donating seeds, you'll also need to fill out a "Seed Donor Form".
If you are unable to or unsuccessful at harvesting seeds, donations of fresh, commercially-grown, open-pollination seeds are appreciated.
While returning seeds is not required, it’s encouraged in order to preserve locally-adapted seeds. For the continued success of our seed library, please try to return harvested seed at the end of the season, and only return seeds that you are confident have not been cross-pollinated. Properly harvested seeds will be adapted to our local environment, and produce heartier plants next year.