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Seed Lending Library

The 2026 Seed Library Now Open!

Reserve Your Seeds Here!

What Is A Seed Lending Library?

Somers Seed Lending Library is a free community heirloom seed lending project!

Step 1: Sign Up & Reserve Your Seeds

Step 2: Borrow – Get Your Seeds

  • Pick up your reserved seeds at Somers Library
  • Growers will get enough seeds to grow 3-4 plants.


Step 3: Grow
Grow your plants during the season. 

Step 4: Return – Save & Share

  • At the end of a plant’s growing season harvest your produce as usual.
  • Gather and dry the seeds you collect to plant for he next growing season.
  • Save some of the seeds you gather  for your use next year and return a portion to the Seed Lending Library . 
seed lending library catalog 2026

Seed Library Basics

Seed Gardening Tips
  • You will want to start most seeds indoors and then plant them outdoors when our zone is clear of the last frost.
  • Plant seeds as deep as they are big. For example, a watermelon seed is about 1/4″ long, so plant it 1/4″ beneath the soil. On the other hand, basil seeds are so small you can hardly see them, so plant them on top on the soil, with an ever so slight dusting of soil over the seed.
  • Keep all seeds moist. Use a spray bottle to water as to not wash the seeds around the pot.
  • Keep all seeds in a sunny spot. If you are lucky enough to have a grow light, even better!

Germinating seeds is a fun indoor project while the weather is still cold. Growing something green helps remind us of the promise of spring and can help offset those late-winter blahs.

The time to start your indoor seed growing (germination) varies depending on the plant you chose to grow and the plant’s growing cycle and season. Certain plants, such tomatoes, brussels sprouts, and radicchio, are easy to start indoors prior to their outdoor growing season. Check with Planting Guide for the New York City Area to view a timetable of local growing seasons for common herbs and vegetables so you can get an idea of when to start your seeds.

There are many resources online about starting seeds indoors. Search for your chosen plant and you will probably come across many articles about starting your particular plant from seed. A great online step-by-step guide we have found for starting your seeds is Starting Plants from Seed Indoors.

The internet is also full of clever ideas for making seed cups to house your seedlings. You can use old eggshells or even recycle materials you have around the house, like old newspapers.

Some seeds, for example, certain native plants, may be harder to germinate and require special treatment. Ideally, the label on your seed package will indicate if you have chosen a seed that will require additional treatment. Native Seed Propagation Methods is a helpful, more advanced article on methods to force dormant seeds to grow.

Certain plants can be planted straight into the soil when the weather conditions are right. Peas and squash, for instance, can be sown directly into the soil when the weather is warm enough. Generally in our area, it is safe to plant seeds outdoors after Mother’s Day, but the weather can vary year to year, as we all know. Planting Guide for the New York City Area is a timetable of local growing seasons for common herbs, vegetables, and annual flowers.

There are lots of online articles about planting seeds outdoors. How to Plant Seeds from the Farmer’s Almanac provides tips and tricks for planting your seeds directly outdoors when planting conditions are right.

There are many great online resources to help get you started with seed cultivation. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Seed Saving – a great beginner’s guide to understanding plant pollination and harvesting seeds
  • Saving and Storing Seeds – easy to understand wikiHOW article on saving seeds
  • Seed Viability Chart – provides a chart with the seed viability of common vegetables and fruits. Seed viability refers to a seed’s longevity and how long a seed can remain capable of generating a new plant if stored under the right conditions.
  • Growing Native Seeds – an interesting blog about rewilding our local landscape by using seeds

 

Basic seed saving guidelines:

1. Always save seeds from the healthiest “true to type” plants and allow plants to come to maturity before collecting seeds.

2. Don’t save seeds from hybrids.

3. Clean and/or dry seeds, then label your seed envelope or container with as much information about the crop as possible and return to the Adult Reference Desk.

Have questions about seed planting and harvesting or issues with growing your plants (e.g. pests, watering, etc.)?
The Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford has a free Plant Clinic that is available to the public during the growing season (May-September). 

The Plant Clinic is staffed by volunteer Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners are individuals who have extensive knowledge and training in local horticulture.

You can reach the Plant Clinic by:

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