NEMI’s Seed Lending Library is a free program whose goal is to strengthen the resilience, sustainability and connection of our community by sharing biodiverse, locally-adapted seeds.  

A seed lending library is a collection of seeds grown and donated by local growers.  These seeds have been proven to grow successfully in our local climate and environment and are intended to be used and replenished on a regular basis by local growers.  Seeds in the Lending Library are available to be borrowed, just like a library book.  How does it work?  Growers borrow the seeds at planting time, grow and harvest the crop, setting aside some of the plants to grow to seed.  Save the seeds and return at least the amount you borrowed to the library. 

We encourage you to return at least 3 times the amount of seeds you borrowed.  This allows the seed library to be sustained by community seed growers, helps to grow the collection and balances the reality that not all growers will be successful in growing and saving viable seeds.  3 times may seem like a lot but each plant produces a lot of seeds!           

How can you get involved?

• Borrow seeds and return some to the library at the end of the season
• Donate seeds from plants you have had success with in your garden.  Get the Return/Donation Form here.
• Volunteer to help maintain and organize the collection

How to Guides:

• Basic Seed Saving
• How to Save Tomato Seeds
• How to Save Lettuce Seeds
• How to Save Pea and Bean Seeds

Resources:

• Seeds of Diversity
• Seed Savers Exchange
• Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc.
• Community Seed Network