HOW THE SEED LIBRARY WORKS
- BORROW
CHOOSE YOUR SEEDS! You can find more information on our available plant varieties in our plant binder. - GROW
PLANT YOUR SEEDS and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
New to gardening? Attend one of our free gardening classes or check out one of our many books on the subject! - SAVE
HARVEST SEEDS from some of your most robust and healthy plants and SAVE THEM for future growing seasons. - SHARE*
RETURN & SHARE SOME SEEDS to make your seed library a sustainable source of locally grown, climate-resilient plants! Please fill out one Shasta Seed Library seed donation slip for each variety returned.
*Returning saved seed is entirely optional.
Shasta Seed Library Downloads
How do you use the Shasta Seed Library?
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You become a seed library member simply by borrowing seed. This is a no-cost resource for everyone, no library account required!
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We have an index of available crops and seed varieties, as well as a plant binder with images and growing instructions, to help you decide which seeds to borrow and grow.
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Planting schedules, seed saving guides, links to video resources, and more, are available on our website at: www.shastalibraries.org/seed-library
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Because the seed library is a limited community resource, we ask that users be mindful of how many packets they take per visit. Multiple crops and varieties can be borrowed at each visit, but we ask that users not take multiple packets of the same variety at one time. We encourage trying out multiple varieties, but only take what you can grow in your personal garden during the current growing season.
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Once the seed is grown out and preferred varieties are identified, we ask that our community growers consider saving and returning some seeds from a few of the healthiest plants. Saving and returning seed to the library will help make this community resource sustainable, as well as increase our inventory of locally grown and vetted crop varieties.
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Participation in seed saving and sharing is highly encouraged but NOT REQUIRED. Seed saving does require some knowledge, and those who wish to learn more can do so through one of our seed saving workshops or by checking out one of our many books on the subject.
“From the Garden and Cooking Series”
Presented by CalFresh
(All Classes held at the Redding Library)
Workshops are FREE but you must Register to attend. Click the class below to register for the class you would like to attend!
May 2 – Cabbages —> Click Here To Register
May 9 – Cabbages —> Click Her To Register
May 23 – Tomatoes —> Click Here To Register
May 30 – Tomatoes —> Click Here To Register
June 6 – Summer Squash —> Click Here To Register
June 13 – Summer Squash —> Click Here To Register
July 11 – Herbs —> Click Here To Register
July 18 – Herbs —> Click Here To Register
“Jr Gardener Series”
Presented by CalFresh
The Jr. Gardener Workshop will have students combine plant and garden learning, food exposure, brain- and body-boosting physical activities, and novel parental engagement, all built around plant part themes.
These workshops are FREE and open to the public on a drop in basis!
(All Sessions held at the Redding Library)
April 29 – Rainbow roots, planting pumpkins
May 6 – Seed dissection, planting carrots/ radishes
May 13 – Sippin’ stems, plating spinach/ lettuce
May 20 – Making Sunflower Seed Heads, transplant starts
Why have a seed library?
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To increase the capacity of our community members to feed themselves and their families fresh, nutrient-rich food
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To foster community resilience, self-reliance, and food security through the time-honored tradition of seed saving
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To promote a culture of sharing while building a no-cost, accessible source of locally-adapted seeds
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To create a space for the exchange of information about our area’s gardening resources
Shasta Seed Library FAQs
The Shasta Seed Library was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act administered in California by the State Librarian