At a recent Slow Food South Bay annual event, I learned about the seed libraries now available at many real public libraries locally where you can “check out” seeds in the hope that you will bring back some other ones to share.
So I built a small seed library box where you can check out seeds or share seeds you longer need or wish to plant or seeds you have harvested it yourself.
On the top of the box, we have provided this set of instructions to help with the seed library loaning and sharing:
Los Altos Hills Community Farm Stand
SEED LIBRARY INSTRUCTIONS
- All seeds are free but only take what you will use
- Please contribute back to the seed library with your own seeds
Feel free to donate seed packages that you have purchased but not used
Collect your own seeds from your own yards and harvests and put them into individual envelopes or containers and users can use the envelopes in the drawers below. Feel free to include any specific instructions with your seed packets envelopes on proper growing techniques
Seeds are arranged into the following areas:
Organic / Heirloom – This is important if people want to harvest seeds to put back at the farm stand. Many commercial seeds will not sprout successfully
Backyard collected seeds -Your own collected, and successful harvested seeds from your own local LAH and nearby communities gardens – These are the most valuable types of seeds to share since we know they work in our climate and soils.
Non organic seeds or Not sure – Most seed packages will now say if they are open pollinated seeds where the seeds can be harvested successfully from the plant. If unsure, put your seeds in these area
Pencils, envelopes, markers, and seed bags are available in the drawers for your use. Start sharing and growing with the seed library!
Urban Farm Stands 