What is a Seed Library? It is a program, run by volunteers, to provide the community with an array of garden seeds at no cost. Many Seed Libraries not only promote backyard gardening, but also encourage the tradition of seed saving and sharing. The idea is that people save and trade seeds with each other, and the library provides the opportunity and education to make it happen. True to Seed ~ Coeur d’Alene Seed Sharing Library, housed in the CdA Public Library offers free seeds to anyone in the North Idaho area, with or without a library card. Our Seed Library operates on an honor system. You become a member automatically when you fill out a Membership Information Form and "withdraw" seeds to plant. After you grow the plants in your garden, at the end of the season, you can let a few plants “go to seed”. From those plants, you have the option to collect seeds and return some back, creating a sustainable seed library. Saving seeds is not a requirement to borrow from the seed library. Not only does participating in a seed library save gardeners money on seeds, but it most importantly promotes a healthy, more resilient, local food system. Saving and exchanging vegetable seeds is the best way to discover new food varieties, preserve heirlooms, and breed locally adapted crops built to withstand any type of climate change. By participating in the seed library you are helping to create a culture of sharing and community.
