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Seed Library

Donate Seeds by October 31, 2024, and Enter our Draw!

Donate seeds, either collected or store-bought seeds you’re not using; bring them to the Library by October 31 and enter the draw.

You could win one of two books by Dan Jason of Salt Spring Seeds — Changing the Climate With the Seeds We Sow or Saving Seeds: a Home Gardener’s Guide to Preserving Plant Biodiversity.

If you don’t have seed envelopes, we have some available.

two book covers by Dan Jason

About the Seed Library

Find the Bowen Island Seed Library display inside the Bowen Island Public Library during our open hours, beginning usually in March until we run out of seeds (in the spring or summer). Ask at the desk, staff can help.

  • Please take only what you need
  • Seeds are free but please let some of the plants go to seed, save seeds, and donate seeds back for future gardeners!
  • The library will accept donations of seeds (homegrown or store-bought, small amounts or bulk) to keep this initiative going. It is preferred that donations are in individual packages, but volunteers will put seeds into packages if you are unable to. We accept open-pollinated (non-hybrid/F1) seeds.

 

Keep the Seed Library Going!

Grow Your Plants. Research what your seeds will need to grow successfully & let some of each of your plants go to seed naturally.

Learn to Save Seed. Harvest, dry, and package the seeds. Depending on the plant, it may develop seeds the same year (annuals) or the following year (biennials).

Stay Organized. Label envelopes with the date, seed type, and variety (if known).

Store Seeds & Keep Them Dry. Place the envelopes inside Mason jars (or any type of glass jar that has a tight-fitting lid). To soak up any moisture, place a silica gel packet or some raw rice in your glass jar and replace it every six months. Keep jars in a cool, dry, dark location. If you store the seeds properly, they should remain viable for at least 1-3 years (or longer, but the germination rate diminishes over time.)

Donate Your Extra Seeds back to the Seed Library! Package them in small envelopes labeled with the seed type and year harvested. We have envelopes available if you require, or fold your own from squares of paper. Alternately, if you’re short on time, bring in bulk seeds and volunteers can package them for you.

Resources

 

Thank You to Our Supporters!

The Bowen Island Seed Library is made possible thanks to a collaboration between the Bowen Island Public Library and volunteers from Bowen Agricultural Alliance, the Bowen Island Community School Student Garden Club, and the Bowen Gardeners Facebook group, and thanks to donations from local seed companies and you!

Our seed donors are:

       west coast seeds logo

bowen agriculture alliance logo with sheep     bowen island community school logo with orca       bowen island food resiliency society logo

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