Seed Library

What is a Seed Library? Image of shelving unit with small drawers holding different kinds of seeds.

A seed library is a place to get free seeds to grow a vegetable garden or native plants. Washington County is piloting two seed libraries at Hardwood Creek Library in Forest Lake and Wildwood Library in Mahtomedi.  

Our seed library is an exchange. Seeds don't need to be returned like other library items, but we would love it if you would save seeds and donate some at the end of the growing season! 

Seed libraries are also opportunities to share knowledge. Watch our calendar for workshops to learn about growing and saving seeds!

  1. Get Seeds
  2. Donate Seeds

Seed libraries are located at Hardwood Creek Library and Wildwood Library. Seed availability is dependent on donations. We’ll have different varieties at any given time. You may not find exactly what you came for, but you’ll be able to discover something new! 

  • You do not need a library card to use the seed library. 
  • Select up to five packets of seeds you’d like to take home. Please don’t take more than you will use. 
  • You will be asked to fill out a seed checkout slip to help us track usage. Drop the slip in the check-out box and get growing! 

Consider growing a row for the library! Grow a row of plants that you will save seeds from and donate back to the library at the end of the growing season. 

We cannot guarantee the provenance of seeds in the seed library, but we do our best to be sure our seeds are labeled accurately and sourced locally.

Learn more 

Washington County Library has received seed donations from the following organizations. Check their websites for information about specific seed types.

Learn more about the requirements for planting native seeds:

Local seed-related events: