Our seed library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds that you can borrow to plant and grow at home. At the end of the growing season, return seeds to help grow our library!

How to Borrow Seeds
Step 1: Take the Seeds
Seeds for browsing are located near the Digital Services desk in Adult Services. Find seeds that work with your experience level and growing space. Sign your name, email, and seeds chosen in the Checkout Notebook.

Please limit your selection to 10 packets so more can participate.

Step 2: Grow the Seeds
Take into consideration whether you will be growing with the intention to save seeds this year and leave some of your harvest to continue to mature depending on that seed variety's needs.

Easy seeds to save include: tomatoes, beans and peas, some annual and biennial herbs, lettuce, peppers, and miscellaneous greens.

Step 3: Return the Seeds
Return seeds in a sealed and labeled envelope with your name, email, and name of seeds to the Digital Services desk.

We accept seeds that are open-pollinated or heirloom, because seeds from these plants will be viable in the next year. If you do not know if your seeds are open-pollinated, please note that on the envelope.

What Seeds are in the Library?
It changes all the time, as more seeds are donated, and as seeds are checked out.

Do I Need to Donate Seeds in Order to Use the Library?
Nope! If you don’t have any seeds to share, you can still take seeds.

How Do I Save Seeds?
Here are some helpful websites to visit to help you save and grow your seeds:

• Seed Savers Exchange
• Crop Specific Seed Saving Guide
• Richmond Grows (Well Known Public Seed Library)
• SeedSaving Ambassadors’ Seed Saving Zine
• MSU Extension Master Gardeners (Smart Gardening Guides)
• MI Seed Library

Recommended Books
Looking for more info on seed saving? Find a book in the collection with our Recommended Reading List.

Contact Us
For questions about the seed library please direct your email to: natalie.piernak@troymi.gov.