Got Seeds?
Seed Swap
Saturday, March 9
1:00-2:30 PM
It’s our 3rd annual seed swap! The Long Island Regional Seed Consortium working with the library and local gardening organizations to build seed saving awareness in our community. Bring some seeds to swap and sign up to get free seeds from our seed library.
No seeds? No worries! All are welcome to attend.
Got Seeds?
Know Your Seed
Saturday, March 9
3:00-4:30 PM
Know where your seed comes from. The Long Island Regional Seed Consortium will help you to learn how important it is to know where your seeds come from, and to help you get ready to save your seeds in the fall.
Organic Vegetable Gardening For Beginners
Thursday, April 11
6:30-8:30 PM
Learn the basics of vegetable gardening.
Companion Planting + Green Manure
Thursday, April 25
6:30-8:30 PM
Learn the best combinations of vegetables that will grow better and work together in the garden as well as how to make your own compost.
Transplanting Your Seedlings
Thursday, May 2
6:30-8:30 PM
You started your seeds, and your seedlings are growing, what now? Learn about soil preparation, hardening off, row covers, spacing, feeding, supporting and watering.
Growing Great Tomatoes
Thursday, May 9
6:30-8:30 PM
Tomatoes are easy and fun to grow. Learn how to grow them from seed to harvest including how to create your own crossbreeds, proper planting, pruning, and staking.
Grow and Taste Garden
Monday, May 13
6:30-7:30 PM
For families with children ages 5 years – 5th grade
Plant an edible vegetable and flower garden to take home. Then see and taste what our seeds will grow!
Our Seed Library is about…
- Encouraging our community to dig in and garden
- Reconnecting our community to the traditions of growing tasty, healthy food
- Educating our community about growing, harvesting, and saving seeds
- Creating a community-sustained seed collection at our library
- Nurturing a culture of sharing and abundance
Step 1: Borrow
*Know your seed* our seeds are non GMO and heirloom varieties. Our seed collection depends on donations, growing success, and seasonal changes.
You can choose from “Easy” “Medium” and “Advanced” seeds. If you’re a beginner gardener DON’T WORRY about saving seeds right now! Instead, select the seeds that you’re interested in growing. Focus first on having fun and learning to garden. The seed saving part will come later!
All you need is a current Suffolk County library card to join the seed library. Each member can select up to 3 seed cards per month from the card catalog. Bring your card selections to the Main Desk to redeem for your seeds.
Step 2: Grow
Get ready to get dirty and have some fun! Seeds are a genetic goldmine. When we save seeds we’re passing on the genetic qualities of the plant that provided them. “Easy” seeds are great for beginner gardeners who are ready to save seeds. The perfect flowers from “easy” plants are self pollinating and not likely to cross-pollinate between plants. “Medium” and “Advanced” seeds require special planning. If you’re a more experienced gardener growing plants for seed saving, you’ll want to choose “Medium” and “Advanced” seeds after learning how to isolate plants to prevent cross-pollination.
Again…*Know Your Seed* Do not save seeds from a hybrid variety (often labeled as “F1” in catalogs or seed packets). They will not grow “true to type” to the original parent, and the next generation of plants will be highly unpredictable in overall type, quality and flavor.
Step 3: Return
Collect seeds from your healthiest or tastiest crops. Be sure to set aside some seeds for yourself!
Seed-saving envelopes are available at the Main Desk, or you can print one yourself. Place some seeds in clearly labeled envelopes – please fill out the label with as much information as possible. The more information that you provide, the better we can track the success of our local seed stories.
Bring your labeled seeds to the Main Desk. And keep gardening!
Learn More
- Long Island Regional Seed Consortium
- Seed Savers Exchange
- Read about seed saving at your local library
- Take seed saving classes
- Talk to experienced seed-saving gardeners