Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library

We're turning Sweet 16 today! The Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library opened May 1, 2010.

We're excited to have been able to serve our East Bay community and inspire an international movement with thousands of seed libraries.

🔗 Donation link: https://givebutter.com/richmondgrows
Help us continue to keep our community growing.

.bayarea Indian & Himalayan Restaurant has a pop-up seed library featuring 100% Nepalese seeds.

Come by their restaurant at 10558 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito and get some amazingly delicious authentic food and pick up some FREE for your garden.

A big thank you to Maya for saving and sharing these seeds.

Grow a Row of Seed for the Community. Be part of the solution and share nutritious, delicious, & climate-adapted seeds with the community. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/RichmondLocalSeeds. We'll provide the seeds and planting, seed saving, and donating instructions. You must be able to pick them up at the Richmond Rec Center, 3230 Macdonald Ave. No seed saving experience needed. We'll even clean the seeds, if you need us too.

Join us for the 25th Annual Seed Swap on Friday, March 13th at the Berkeley Ecology Center.

🌱 Seed Library Conference
Getting Started
Sat., Feb. 14 - online; 9-11 AM PST
Registration: https://givebutter.com/2026SeedConference
Thinking about starting a seed library—or just opened one? This virtual gathering is for you. Join us for three speakers, each offering a 20-minute talk followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. Recordings will be available after the event.
Live closed captions will be enabled, with access in multiple languages.
We’ll wrap up with 30 minutes of small-group breakout conversations to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another. Breakouts won’t be recorded to keep the space open and comfortable.

Seed Library Conference: Getting Started Tips and Resources on How to Open a Seed Library

Join us for an online Seed Saving in Community Class. Learn how to save vegetable seeds to preserve traditional varieties and adapt our food supply to a rapidly changing climate. Register at

Seed Saving in Community Class Save Your Veggie Seeds!

Learn how to save seeds from your garden - diverse genetic mixes that adapt to climate change and heirloom varieties. Free - Monday, May 19th 6:30-8 PM at the main branch of the library. Register at https://givebutter.com/seedclassmay19.

Seed Saving in Community Class on Monday, May 19th 6:30-8 PM, in-person. Register at

Seed Saving in Community Class Deep Adaptation and Delicious Diversity

🌱 Plant Beets & Chard Now! 🌱
Did you know that beets and chard are the same species? 🤯 That’s right! These garden favorites—one grown for its sweet root, the other for its tender greens—are both Beta vulgaris! 🌿✨
Now is the perfect time to plant beet and chard seeds, and we’ve got plenty waiting for you at the Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library! 📚🌱
🥕 Beets = Delicious, earthy roots & nutrient-packed greens.
🌈 Chard = Vibrant, leafy greens for endless harvests.
Swing by, grab your seeds, and start growing! 🌿 Which one do you love more—beets or chard? Tell us in the comments! ⬇️
👉 Follow us for more planting tips & seed updates!
🌱 ¡Planta Remolachas y Acelga Ahora! 🌱
¿Sabías que las remolachas y la acelga son la misma especie? 🤯 ¡Así es! Estas dos plantas favoritas del jardín—una cultivada por su raíz dulce, la otra por sus tiernas hojas—son ambas Beta vulgaris. 🌿✨
¡Ahora es el momento perfecto para plantar semillas de remolacha y acelga, y tenemos muchas esperándote en la Biblioteca de Préstamo de Semillas Richmond Grows! 📚🌱
🥕 Remolachas = Raíces deliciosas y terrosas + hojas llenas de nutrientes.
🌈 Acelga = Hojas vibrantes y verdes para cosechas interminables.
¡Pasa, agarra tus semillas y empieza a cultivar! 🌿 ¿Cuál te gusta más—remolacha o acelga? ¡Cuéntanos en los comentarios! ⬇️
👉 ¡Síguenos para más consejos de siembra y actualizaciones de semillas!

Plant Leeks Now for a Delicious Harvest! Leeks are a hardy, flavorful addition to your garden—and now is the perfect time to plant them! 🌿
How to Plant Leeks:
🌱 Sow directly in well-drained soil.
☀️ Choose a sunny spot with rich, loose soil.
💧 Keep soil moist but not soggy.
🌾 As they grow, mound soil around the stems for tender, white stalks.
Need seeds? Come to the Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library and grab some for free! 📚🌱
🌟 What’s your favorite way to cook with leeks? Share in the comments! ⬇️
👉 Follow us for more planting tips and seed updates!