“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” 

This quote from Cicero perfectly captures the goals behind the growing seed libraries within Fairfax County Public Library. Since we have an extensive collection of gardening books, soil test kits and gardening magazines, seed libraries are a natural, homegrown extension of our services. Our seed libraries help you plan and plant your garden, whether it be small containers to raised beds to large garden plots!

There are currently nine seed libraries within the FCPL, and each branch tailors their library to match their patrons and staff resources: 

• Burke Centre
• Centreville Regional
• George Mason Regional
• Great Falls
• John Marshall
• Lorton
• Martha Washington
• Pohick Regional
• Reston Regional
• Richard Byrd
• Tysons-Pimmit Regional

Seed libraries are as individual as the communities they serve, but they basically follow the same outline: seeds (either bought or donated) are packaged with basic growing information. The seed libraries follow the growing season; some branches go into “hibernation” during the winter months, picking up again in January and February. Others may have seeds that need the cold winter weather to germinate.

So don’t let the cold weather stop you from your gardening! Now is the perfect time for planning and planting. Choose your seeds – many cooler season plants benefit from starting seedlings indoors to be ready to plant outdoors once the danger of frost is past, about 4-6 weeks from start date. You’ll need basic supplies for indoor sprouting: a commercial sterile starting soil mix, plastic flats or small containers, a good light and warmth source and some sort of dome to keep warmth and moisture in. Here’s a great video from Virginia Cooperative Extension to give you the basics: From the Ground Up: Starting Seeds | VCE Publications | Virginia Tech.  Some seeds can be directly sown outside once the ground has warmed up, generally in May.  And many greens (such as lettuce) can be direct sown in early spring. Growing information can be found on most seed packets.

And don’t forget winter sowing! Many plants, especially perennials and native plants, need a cold spell to germinate.  A popular method is to sow seeds in an open plastic milk or juice jug and leave them outside to get the needed cold treatment.  Check out this video for the basic idea: From the Ground Up: Winter Seed Sowing Using Recycled Containers | VCE Publications | Virginia Tech.  Seeds may also be sown in a plastic bag and kept in the refrigerator to give them a good chilling.

Many of the seeds in our seed libraries are donated from commercial growers. But some come from our patrons’ own gardens – a great way to share plants that do well locally and promote diverse varieties. If you have seeds to share, our seed libraries would love to have them. Please bring them into a participating branch with as much information as you have – name and type of seed, date harvested or bought, growing conditions – whatever will help your fellow gardeners succeed with their garden. We will make them available so others can enjoy your generosity! Last year, the Fairfax County Virginia Cooperative Extension also donated a large amount of vegetable seeds and is more than willing to work with FCPL to help your efforts succeed. Branches may work with local volunteers and other organizations, such as Green Spring Extension Master Gardeners, to package and maintain the libraries. Branches with plant swaps can also include seed swaps for a great additional benefit – people love to share their own gardening fails and triumphs! And seed libraries can fit right into gardening programs for both children and adults.

Free vegetable, flower, herb and native plant seeds are a great resource for the home gardener, school gardens, Scout groups, citizen science groups, or church gardens. Importantly, we can offer people the ability to grow their own healthy fresh food for themselves or for food banks, provide gardens for pollinators and wildlife, and improve the local landscape. Overall, public response has been gratifyingly positive, from the kinds of seeds to the growing instructions made available. Please visit the seed libraries to take advantage of this great resource. Try old favorites or perhaps pick up something that’s totally new to you. And who doesn’t enjoy a fresh ripe tomato, a fragrant sprig of Thai basil or a cheery bouquet of colorful zinnias?

Pat Henley is a Circulation Aide at Martha Washington Library, and a Green Spring Extension Master Gardener since 2002.

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