More than 40 seed varieties are now available to “check out” for free through the Springfield-Greene County Library. The Heirloom Seed Library opened Thursday and will remain available through Nov. 1.
Established in 2015, the Heirloom Seed Library offers vegetable, herb, flower and native heirloom seeds to library patrons. Seed libraries can be found near the gardening books at the Library Center, Library Station, Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library, Mobile Library and Republic Branch Library.
How does the Heirloom Seed Library work?
The Heirloom Seed Library is available to all library cardholders. Cardholders are able to “check out” up to four seed packets per visit, just like they would books.
Once plants mature and start bolting, or “going to seed,” patrons are encouraged to save extra seeds and return them to one of the seed libraries to be shared with others. Seed donation envelopes are available at the participating library locations for easy drop-off. Although returning seeds is encouraged, it is not mandatory.