The Seed Library is stocked from February 1 until we run out of seeds. The collection is separated into Community Seed Donations and Seed Company Donations, and both live on opposite sides of the Circulation Lobby. The Community Seed Donations have many wonderful Native to New England seeds grown by our local gardeners. These are great pollinators, supporting our birds, butterflies and bees. The Seed Company Donations are separated into vegetables, ornamentals, beans/peas, greens, herbs and wildflowers.

Please take only what you will use. Feel free to divide packets; use a paper envelope to take out what you need, and staple the original packet shut. Envelopes and pens are provided for labeling. Questions on how to start your seeds? We also have gardening books available in the regular collection.

If you or your organization has seeds to share, please consider donating them. We welcome donations from the community. It isn’t hard to save your own seeds, and it’s always fun to share. Great resources are available via the internet to help you get started saving the seeds from a favorite plant. Look up “seed saving” and your plant’s name to find specific instructions; seedsavers.org is a great starting place. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, peas and beans are all easy to start with. Flowers are welcome, too! Make sure that your seeds are mature and dry, that they aren’t from hybrids or invasives, and that they are stored in something breathable, like a paper envelope. Write at least the name of the plant and the date of the seeds’ harvest on the envelope, and place your seed donations in the green box in the Community Seed Donations area. And thank you!

Plant Propagation Station

What is plant propagation?

Plant propagations are pieces, or cuttings, from plants that grow their own root systems and become new plants.

Why have a propagation station?

This project helps promote green spaces and cleaner air by enabling the community to take and grow plants in their own homes. Plants are a fun hobby—and come with the added benefits of cleaner air in your space—but it can be hard to maintain a plant collection because of plant prices. The Library hopes this program will promote green spaces at no charge to the community!

How it Works

Take a plant

• Take home a houseplant cutting of your choice (Wet a paper towel, wrap the roots and use a wax paper bag to transport your cutting.) Please leave the jar.
• Do a little online searching to find out what care your plant likes.
• Plant your cutting in potting soil at home and enjoy!

Leave a plant

The Propagation Station will only flourish if our houseplant community supports it with donations. If you’re ready to start donating to the Propagation Station, here are some tips:

To ensure your cutting is ready for propagation, please follow these simple guidelines:

• Use clean scissors or pruning shears.
• Cut a healthy stem just below a node (the point where a leaf grows).
• Remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem, leaving a few at the top.
• Place your cutting in water. After your cutting has rooted, wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it in a plastic bag to keep it from drying out during transport to the Library.
• Place your plant in an available jar. There are water containers available to fill your jar. You can label your cutting if you know the name of your plant. If not, we’ll figure it out.

Please note:

The Library cannot accept donations of plants in dirt, and please be sure your cutting is healthy and free of pests/disease.

Thank you and Enjoy!