Seed Library is stocked up and ready to go!
The Seed Library is located in the vestibule of the Manchester District Library.
by Sara Swanson
With this almost non-existent winter and many spring-like days, it is hard to believe we’re just in the beginning of April. You can scratch that warm-weather gardening itch by picking out your seeds for the season at the Manchester Seed Library.
After being packed away for the cold, winter months, the seed library is once again set up for self-service in the vestibule of the Manchester District Library (MDL), available whenever the library is open: Monday through Thursday, 10am to 8pm; Friday, 10am to 6pm; and Saturday, 10am to 2pm. The MDL is located at 912 City Rd. Everyone is invited to stop by and pick up free seeds to plant!
The seed library has been freshly restocked with donated patron-saved seeds and purchased bulk vegetable seeds that have been divided into smaller portions, as well as donated commercial packets. As in past years, Jennifer Fairfield, owner of the Garden Mill in Chelsea has donated packets as well as purchasing the bulk seeds for the library at cost. New this year, local U-cut flower farm, Manchester Blooms donated pumpkin, sunflower, and zinnia seeds!
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 (if it is a smaller amount) or bringing them to the front desk (if it is a larger amount or the box is full).
The longer seeds sit, the less likely they are to germinate. As a rule, the seed library only stocks seeds 5 years old or newer. The exception is if a germination test has been performed to make sure the seeds are still viable. Germination testing is easy! Place a few seeds between damp (not soaking wet) paper towels inside an unsealed plastic bag and put it somewhere dark for a week. If the seeds sprout, you know they are still viable. While the seed library welcomes donations of all seeds, if your seeds are more than five years old or undated, it will only circulate them if they have been germination tested.
Thank you to the Seed Library patrons who have donated seeds, brought in their saved seeds, and who have donated money used to purchase the small bags for seed packaging!
Since 2014 the Manchester District Library (MDL) has hosted the Manchester Seed Library, whose purpose is to serve as a location for community members to come pick out and take home free seeds. 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.
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