Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive thanks to the Longmont Public Library’s Free Seed Library, which returns for another growing season. The collection includes unopened, commercial seed packets no more than five years old and is available for FREE to library patrons. It offers a broad assortment of fruit, vegetable, and herb seeds, so every gardener can discover something fun to grow.
Unlike some free seed libraries, the Free Seed Library is not a seed exchange, and the Library can only accept unopened, commercial seed packets as donations to the collection.
Seed suppliers are not permitted to sell seed packets from the previous growing season because they are not expected to be 100% viable, so millions of seeds go to waste each year. The Longmont Free Seed Library aims to minimize that waste and maximize the savings and fun for local gardeners.
Seeds are donated by patrons or purchased by the Friends of the Longmont Library. The Free Seed Library is typically housed in an old card catalog stationed in the Library’s lobby during the growing season.
Patrons are asked to limit their selection to 6 seed packets per household. The Library’s goal is to provide seeds to as many local gardeners as possible.
The Free Seed Library launches on Sunday, February 26, 2023, in conjunction with a special Gardening Fair from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Library.