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Wellington County Seed Library
The Seed Library is back in 2023! Our early-sowing crop seed varieties will be available in Fergus, Hillsburgh, and Palmerston on Monday, March 6. We plan to add more varieties later in the Spring.
Seeds are first-come, first-served, and quantities are limited. We are looking for more donations from local growers to keep the seed library going. Donations can be made any of our library branches, and you can find more information about donating below.
What is a Seed Library?
The Seed Library provides access to seeds free of charge for anyone interested in growing. Seed libraries allow communities to take control of their own food cycles, increase sustainability, and facilitate a culture of sharing within the community. By hosting a seed library, Wellington County Library is expanding our mission of promoting equitable access to resources and lifelong learning opportunities for members of our community.
Seed sharing encourages new and experienced gardeners to try their hand at growing their own produce and pollinator-friendly plants from seeds that grow well in our area. Older, unusual, and heirloom varieties may be available - you never know what treasures you might find!
How Does a Seed Library Work?
Our Seed Libraries provide seeds free of charge to library patrons. At the start of the growing season, you're
welcome to come and see what we have and select varieties that you're interested in. Take the seeds home and grow them over the summer! We're focused on selecting varieties that grow well in our area and have chosen many things are easy for gardeners with all experience levels to grow. If you're not sure how to get started with gardening, we have lots of resources to help you out - everything from planning out your first garden or container to seed saving.
Check out our collection of gardening books!
When the season is over, please consider collecting and donating seeds back to the library so that others can enjoy the fruits of your labour and we can continue the cycle.
How to Donate to the Seed Library
We are happy to accept your donation at any Wellington County Library branch. We'd ask that you include the seed name and variety, the year they were collected, and you're welcome to include any notes or special information that you think the need grower needs to know. We accept seeds for vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
Please ensure that your seeds are dry, and are in a sealed bag or envelope.
Please note that we do not accept poisonous, hybrid, or invasive species seeds, and we cannot accept cannabis.
Community Resources
Wellington County and the surrounding area is an incredible place to live if you're interested in growing your own food, learning more about gardening and agriculture, or starting that cut flower garden you've always wanted. Check out some of these incredible local organizations to learn more or get involved.
| Our Food Future |
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Our Food Future is a federally-funded four-year project run as a partnership between the County of Wellington and the City of Guelph. The mission of the project is to create a Circular Food Economy for our region, reimagining how food is produced, distributed, sold and consumed. A circular food system is one where everyone can access nutritious food, nothing is wasted, and the impact on our environment is minimal. To find our more, please visit www.FoodFuture.ca. |
| Hawthorn Farm (vendor) |
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Hawthorn Farm produces certified organic farm selected, open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds in Central Ontario (zone 5). Certified organic by Pro-Cert since 1996, Hawthorn Farm started as most independent seed companies do, on a kitchen table with a single page printed catalogue filled by a handful of offerings. With over a decade of growing, selecting and saving organic seeds, we now have hundreds of exciting and tasty offerings. [content from hawthornfarm.ca]
We purchased seeds from Hawthorn Farm (Palmerston) to start our Seed Libraries and thank them for their support of this project. |
| Seeds of IMBOLC (vendor) |
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Seeds of IMBOLC, offers only non-GMO, non hybrid varieties of seeds, plants and flowers that are grown right here in Wellington County, Ontario, with no chemicals or pesticides. with care, respect & love- the way nature intended – so the result you get in your garden is outstanding! Seeds adapt to the region they are grown, so LOCALLY GROWN seeds will out perform any others from a different part of the world. Help preserve our seed freedom & these amazing seeds! [content from the owner]
We purchased seeds from Seeds of IMBOLC (Fergus) to start our Seed Libraries and thank them for their support of this project. |
| Seeds of Diversity |
| We are a group of seed savers from coast to coast who protect Canada's seed biodiversity by growing it ourselves and sharing it with others. Every year, we multiply the most vulnerable seed varieties that we can, exchange seeds with each other, and keep those varieties alive and in cultivation for future gardeners to enjoy. [content from seeds.ca] |
| Other Local Seed Libraries |
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Check out these other amazing local seed libraries in Guelph and Wellington County!
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