The Beginner’s Guide to Seed Libraries: How to get free garden seeds from seed exchanges

I feel a bit like Oprah when I say that seed libraries are one of my new favourite things. And they’ve been cropping up all over the place!

If you know me in real life, that’s pun intended!

Have you ever wandered into your local seed library? It’s like heaven for us gardeners, all these tiny packets of possibility. And seed libraries are all about sharing seeds, stories, and know-how.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a total newbie, seed libraries offer a simple (and often free!) way to get your hands on heirloom and locally adapted seeds. And the best part? You’re not just growing vegetables or flowers, you’re also helping to preserve biodiversity, support food security, and strengthen your community’s connections to the land.

Ready to dig in? Let’s explore how seed libraries work, how they differ from seed exchanges or swaps, why they matter, and where you can find one near you.

What Are Seed Libraries and How Do They Work

Seed libraries are usually regular libraries that let you ‘borrow’ (check out – pun intended, I can’t help myself) free garden seeds. They often include organic and/or rare or heirloom seeds. And like your local library card, getting some garden seeds is free.

The idea is that you will participate in an informal ‘seed exchange’. At the end of the growing season (assuming all goes well with the vegetables or flowers you’ve grown), you leave a few plants on the vine and then collect the seeds to dry or preserve for a future date.

You then return some of those free garden seeds, packaged and labelled. Your local seed library stores and offers them to others in your community who will hopefully grow them and then repeat the process at the end of the season.

With this, the cycle of seed exchanges continues, and both you and your community benefit!

This system also creates a living library where genetic diversity increases over time as plants adapt to local growing conditions.

What Are Community Seed Exchanges and How Do They Work

Seed exchanges are usually local events or fairs, often organized in late winter or early spring, where gardeners and/or farmers set up tables and trade or exchange their seeds from one year to the next.

Maybe you have a ton of pepper seeds, and you would like to trade these for a unique tomato heirloom variety. Or maybe you have a ton of perennial spinach and you want to trade for some chive or heirloom lettuce varieties.

Community seed exchanges can be formally or informally organized, free or paid. It’s more about the community coming together at a specific time of the year to share and exchange seeds.

Seed libraries, however, are usually available year-round. This is helpful if you plant new crops during the fall or winter, when community seed exchanges are not commonly organized.

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Why Use Seed Libraries and/or Community Seed Exchanges for Free Garden Seeds

• Seed libraries and community seed exchanges are free. If you’ve spent your budget on chia seeds and raw cacao this month, but you’re eager to grow your own local food, they offer an easy way to get your hands on some top-quality, free garden seeds.
• Greater variety for your and your family’s diets. Try a new variety of fruit, vegetable, or flower that you might not have seen or eaten before. Get your kids on board (more kids eating more fruits and more vegetables is a win-win, right?) You may find some of these unique varieties at local farmers’ markets, but your standard grocery store is unlikely to carry them.
• Introduce yourself and/or your kids to food growing, even on a small scale. There are health benefits beyond easy exercise, fresh air and the fun of gardening and growing things.
• Better flavour and greater freshness in food. These are probably two of the top reasons that you might want to grow your own food.
• Incredible empowerment and/or self-accomplishment in growing your own (local) food. Sure, it’s a lot of work, but it’s also a way to feel self-accomplished at the end of the day. And you get a free gym to work out in, too.
• Seed saving (and the preservation of genetic seed material) is vital for the future of food and the future of all of us.

How to Find Community Seed Exchanges and Seed Libraries Near Me

If you’re looking for a seed library near me, the Orillia Public Library, Essa Public Library, and Meaford Public Library all have them.

The Toronto Public Library has 5 branches. There are also seed libraries in Newmarket, Haliburton, Markham, Vaughan, Burlington, and Grimsby, to name just a few cities lucky enough to have these seed libraries nearby.

If you’re not in one of these areas, you may want to look for a seed library in your area at:

• Public Libraries: Many conventional libraries now host seed libraries.
• Cooperative Extensions: University agricultural extensions often maintain or know about local seed-sharing initiatives and community seed exchanges.
• Community Gardens: These spaces often organize seed swaps and may maintain a collection.
• Food Co-ops and Natural Food Stores: Some host seasonal seed exchanges or small libraries.

Facebook groups, social marketplaces and other community forums often post information about seed exchanges in your area. Be sure to check your local newspaper or classifieds as well.

Why Seed Libraries and Community Seed Exchanges Are Vitally Important

Seed libraries and community seed exchanges make profound contributions to food security and sustainability. They help preserve genetic diversity, giving us more CHOICE and more options when it comes to our food. Open-pollinated, heirloom seeds can also adjust to a changing climate.

If that wasn’t enough, many of the seed (and plant) varieties available from big-box nurseries may be owned by the giant corporation Monsanto and/or genetically modified.

It’s worth checking any plant varieties you plan to buy if you would like to minimize your contribution to this company’s bottom line.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Seed Libraries and Seed Exchanges

Are seed libraries free to use?

Most seed libraries operate on a free or donation-based model. The primary “payment” is your commitment to return seeds at the end of the growing season, though this is typically encouraged rather than strictly enforced. Some seed libraries may request a small membership fee to cover operational costs, but this is usually minimal compared to purchasing seeds commercially. All of the local seed libraries near me offer this as a perk of your existing free library card.

What’s the difference between seed libraries and seed exchanges?

A seed library is a permanent collection with an organized “lending” system where seeds are borrowed and returned throughout the year. A seed exchange (or swap) is typically a one-time event where gardeners gather to trade seeds with each other. Many communities have both: a permanent seed library, as well as seasonal exchange events that build excitement and bring in new participants.

How can I start a seed exchange in my community?

Starting a seed library begins with finding partners and a location. Your public library, community garden, or local garden club are excellent places to start. Begin with a small collection of easy-to-grow, easy-to-save varieties, create simple systems for lending and returning, and focus on education.

What if I’m new to gardening and don’t know how to save seeds?

Seed libraries exist partly to teach these skills! Larger seed libraries may offer workshops, printed guides, or online resources for beginners. Start with “easy” plants like peas, beans, lettuce, or tomatoes, which have straightforward seed-saving techniques. Many seed libraries also welcome participants who aren’t able to return seeds in their first year or two of participation.

What types of seeds do seed libraries typically offer?

Most seed libraries focus on:

• Vegetable seeds suited to local growing conditions
• Heirloom varieties with cultural or historical significance
• Open-pollinated plants (not hybrids) that will produce seeds true to type
• Herbs and flowers that support pollinators and beneficial insects
• Culturally significant varieties that reflect local heritage

How do seed libraries ensure seed quality?

Seed libraries may provide guidance on proper seed-saving techniques to prevent cross-pollination and maintain the purity of the seed variety. Some larger seed libraries may test germination rates or have experienced gardeners review incoming donations. In many ways, the community aspect creates accountability: members want to contribute quality seeds to the shared resource.

Do seed libraries only offer vegetable seeds?

While vegetables are often the primary focus of most seed libraries, your local seed library may offer:

• Culinary and medicinal herbs
• Flowers that support pollinators
• Native plants that support local ecosystems
• Cover crops for soil improvement
• Grains and dry beans for food security

The assortment available typically reflects both community interests, as well as what grows well in the local garden zone and climate. What’s available will also depend on the success of the crops and conditions from the previous season.

Can I still participate if I only have a small garden or grow in containers?

Absolutely! Even a few container plants can produce plenty of seeds for certain varieties. Focus on compact plants like lettuce, herbs, dwarf tomatoes, or bush beans. Many libraries also welcome volunteers who can help with organization, education, or events… no garden required!

Why should I borrow seeds and not just buy them from a commercial seed company?

Seed libraries provide several unique advantages over commercial seed companies:

• Seeds from seed libraries are locally adapted. They’ve been grown in your local area, often for multiple generations, becoming naturally adapted to your specific climate, soil conditions, and pest challenges. This can lead to more resilient plants with better yields in your garden.
• Seed libraries often preserve rare and unique varieties. Commercial companies rarely sell these because they’re not profitable enough for mass production. You’ll discover unique vegetables, herbs, and flowers with distinctive flavors, appearances, and growing characteristics that you simply can’t find in commercial seed catalogs.
• You’ll save money! Seed libraries typically operate on a free or donation basis, significantly reducing your gardening expenses over time. This is significant since the average gardener spends $50-100 per season (and some of us significantly more!) so you can put these savings into other garden inputs like better soil.
• When you get seeds from seed libraries, you’re contributing to your community. The tomato seeds you borrow might have been grown by your neighbor for a decade, and come with personal tips that no seed packet could provide.
• Seed libraries encourage you to complete the full growing cycle from seed to plant and back again. You’ll develop valuable food production skills you might never need if you rely on buying from seed companies every year.
• By participating in seed libraries, you help reduce excess packaging and transportation waste associated with commercial seed production and distribution.
• You get to support food sovereignty. As large corporations continue to consolidate control over the commercial seed industry, seed libraries offer community-based alternatives. They help ensure EVERYONE has access to growing food regardless of economic status.

Commercial seed companies certainly have their place, especially when you’re just starting out or looking for specific hybrid varieties. They are also more consistent and potentially more convenient. Many gardeners might use a combination of sources. You can participate in seed libraries for varieties that benefit from local adaptation AND buy certain other seeds that you want to experiment with.

How do seed libraries support sustainable and resilient communities?

Seed libraries build community resilience by:

• Preserving genetic diversity, which provides insurance against crop failures
• Developing locally-adapted varieties that thrive with fewer inputs
• Building food security through accessible seeds and gardening knowledge
• Creating community connections across generations and backgrounds
• Reducing dependence on commercial seed sources and supply chains
• Encouraging sustainable growing practices that protect soil and water

Life is a plate… Eat up!

Ashleigh

Links to Local Seed Libraries and More Relevant Resources

• Orillia Seed Library
• Toronto Seed Library
• Canadian Seed Library (Seeds of Diversity)
• Seed Saving with the Seed Savers Exchange
• Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy
• The Four Steps Required to Keep Monsanto OUT of Your Garden