Seed library restocked!

The seed library is located in the entryway of the Manchester District Library at 912 City Road.

It is seed library time!

Since 2014 the Manchester District Library (MDL) has hosted the Manchester Seed Library, which serves as a location for community members to come pick out and take home free seeds. After being packed away for the cold, winter months, it is once again set up for self-service in the vestibule of the MDL, available whenever the library is open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 am to 8 pm, Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm. The MDL is located at 912 City Road. Everyone is invited to stop by and pick up seeds to grow this summer!

The seed library has been freshly restocked with purchased bulk vegetable seeds that have been divided into smaller portions, as well as commercial packets donated by Jennifer Fairfield owner of the Garden Mill in Chelsea; as well as commercial packets and patron-saved seeds donated by seed library patrons.

In addition to being a way to distribute free vegetable seeds to promote gardening and healthy eating in Manchester, the other purpose of the seed library is to provide a platform for members of the community to exchange saved seeds.

There are a few avid seed savers in the community who have been generous in donating their extra saved seeds, but in an effort to expand the practice of seed saving, new this year the seed library will offer free 12-page guides to seed saving. Are you interested in learning about seed saving? Stop by and pick one up!

Do you have extra seeds from previous years? Please consider donating any excess seeds you have, including seeds you’ve saved, by placing them in the seed donation box next to the seed library or bringing them to the front desk of the MDL.

Initially founded as a collaboration between the Manchester Community Garden Committee and Manchester District Library and funded by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, MDL took over funding in 2022.

Interested in learning more about saving seeds? Pick up this free 12-page guide at the seed library.

Commercial seed packets and saved seeds are also available at the seed library.

Manchester seed library restocked with bulk seeds!

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.