Seed Library
The Los Gatos Library Seed Share is a free program dedicated to biodiversity, education, sustainability, and sharing of resources. The seed library allows our patrons to take some seeds (of various kinds), plant them in their own gardens, let some go to seed, then return some of the next-generation seeds for others to borrow. If you are unable to save your own seed, please donate a packet or two of fresh, commercially grown, open-pollinated, non-GMO (nonhybrid) seed to keep our library stocked.
Thank you to the Friends of the Los Gatos Library for funding the Seed Share. A special thanks to Trish Goldfarb and the Library Board for proposing, approving, and initiating efforts to start our Seed Library.
How To Borrow Seeds:
Seeds can be acquired by visiting the Library during business hours.
- Browse the seed variety in the lobby, seeds vary by season and we cannot guarantee that we will have seeds available at this time.
- Remove one (1) bag per variety. Please remember that this is a community seed library and we ask that you do not take more than what you need.
- Click the checkout tab to check out your seed.
Seed Library
Returning Seeds
Thank you so much for participating in the seed library! If you have seeds to be returned please place them in the return section. If seed sharing is new to you, and you enjoyed this process but did not collect seeds, please donate a pack of store-bought non GMO seeds for the next person to enjoy.
- Make sure your seeds are dry.
- Make sure they came from healthy plants.
- Return seeds that are reasonably clean.
- Make sure your seeds are properly saved. If you are new to seed sharing, check out our guide. Please make sure the seeds you are returning are not cross-pollinated and unintentionally hybridization.
- Label your seeds with as much information as you can. Envelopes are provided in the drawers under the seed library.
Seed Saving Guide
Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our nutrition depends on. Our goal with the seed Library is to, educate, cultivate, and protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations.
For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners, and consumers who want an alternative, I will not knowingly buy, grow, share, or trade genetically engineered (“GMO”) seeds or plants.
Additionally, as a member of the Los Gatos Seed Share, I promise to grow plants and save seeds according to best practices to insure that I return viable seeds that will produce plants true to the variety I label them to be.
What Types of Seeds should I Save?
Seed saving does require time and patience. If you are new to seed saving, we suggest that you start with seeds that are 'easy' to beginners or donate a store-bought pack of seeds for others to enjoy after you.
- Easy: Beans, Eggplant, Lettuce, Peas, Peppers, Tomatoes
- Medium: Carrot, Onion, Radish
- Difficult: Cucumber, Kale, Zucchini
Cross Pollinated Plants
Hybrid seeds are created by crossing plants of two different varieties. These generally do not create seeds that have the same recognizable traits as the parent plant. Some plants, open-pollinated varieties will self-pollinate before flowering making them less likely to cross-pollinate, making them easier for beginners to save seeds from and would produce plants identical to the parent plant.