McMaster LibGuides: A Guide to Sustainability: Seed Library

What is a Seed Library?

Our Seed Library is now CLOSED for the 2025 season.
Happy Gardening!

Seed Library locations at McMaster Libraries:
- Mills Library, Services Desk (1st floor) - CLOSED
- Thode Library, near Services Desk (1st floor) - CLOSED
- Health Sciences Library (Upper Level), near Information Services Desk - CLOSED
A collection of seeds that are available for community members to borrow and grow in their own gardens
- Our Seed Library offers a collection of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds adapted to the local climate and soil conditions
- The offerings for 2025 include seeds provided by Green Venture and West Coast Seeds. Seeds are native and non-GMO.

The purpose of the Seed Library at McMaster University is to promote sustainable food systems, increase biodiversity, and build community resilience. The goals and objectives of the Seed Library include:

Encouraging the use of locally adapted seed varieties - By offering a collection of seeds that are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, the Seed Library will promote the use of plants that are well-suited to the local environment.
Supporting seed saving and preservation - By borrowing seeds from the Seed Library and returning seeds from their own harvests, community members will learn about the importance of seed saving and preservation. This will help to promote biodiversity and ensure that rare and heirloom varieties are not lost.
Building community resilience - The Seed Library will help to build community resilience by providing community members with access to a wide variety of seeds that can be grown in their own gardens. This will promote food security and help to build strong, self-sufficient communities.
Promoting sustainable food systems - By promoting the use of locally adapted seed varieties and supporting seed saving and preservation, the Seed Library will help to promote sustainable food systems that are resilient, diverse, and environmentally friendly.

How to Borrow & Return Seeds

Visit the Seed Library at Mills, Thode, or Health Sciences libraries. Here's an overview of the borrowing process:

Browse the Seed Library collection: Decide which seeds you want to "borrow" (up to 5 packages). The Seed Library contains a variety of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds
Fill out a seed borrowing form: You will be asked to provide your name, contact information, and the seeds you're borrowing (variety and quantity)
Borrowing limits: Currently, there is a limit of 5 seed packets per person, per growing season
Seed return: At the end of the growing season, borrowers are encouraged to return seeds from their harvests to the Seed Library collection box. This helps to build the collection and maintain the Seed Library for future seasons

Note on seed viability: While the Seed Library aims to provide high-quality seeds, there is no guarantee that all seeds will germinate. It is the borrower’s responsibility to handle the seeds and provide proper growing conditions.

Seed Profiles: Selected Flowers & Vegetables

Flowers
Marigolds	Marigold flowers are a common plant for home gardens, and provide a colourful, compact addition. They consist of bright orange and yellow flowers that range in size. The plant grows quickly and blooms within a few months of planting. They are very low-maintenance and can act as a deterrent to pests that infect other plants. Maturing timespan: 50-60 days Season: Warm weather, late spring/summer Exposure: Direct, full sun (6-8 hours per day) Difficulty: Easy More info: Planting, Caring for the Plant, Harvesting, Seed Saving Instructions and Sources
Zinnias	Zinnia plants are annual plants that produce bright, colourful flowers. They grow for one season to produce flowers, but do not come back in subsequent years, Colours range from pink and purple to yellow and orange. The plant varieties vary in shape, size and rows of petals. Maturing timespan: 60-70 days Season: Summer and fall Exposure: Full sun (6-8 hours per day) Difficulty: Easy More info: Planting, Caring for the Plant, Harvesting, Seed Saving Instructions and Sources

Vegetables
Carrots	Carrots are a root vegetable which are typically orange in colour, but vary through other colours such as purple, yellow, white and red. The vegetable has a natural sweetness and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are an excellent source of vitamins A, K and B6. While usually thrown away, the stems and leaves are also edible. Maturing timespan: 60-80 days Season: Cool seasons Exposure: Full sun (6-10 hours) Difficulty: Easy More info: Planting, Caring for the Plant, Harvesting, Seed Saving Instructions and Sources
Kale	Red Russian Kale is a common variety of kale, featuring bright red/purple stems and mild, tender leaves with jagged edges. The leaves are large and softer than other varieties. It can also be harvested as baby greens and works well for a variety of salads. The plant grows well in colder weather. Maturing timespan: 25 days for baby leaves, 50 days for full-sized leaves Season: Spring and fall (mild temperatures) Exposure: Moderate sun Difficulty: Easy More info: Planting, Harvesting, Seed Saving Instructions and Sources
Lettuce	Butterhead lettuce (Baquieu) grows as round, loosely packed heads of leaves which are soft and tender. Depending on the variety, its leaves range from light green to deep red. Mature plants grow to about 6-12 inches in diameter and are able to grow compactly in small plots of dirt. This variety of lettuce has a mild and slightly sweet taste, making it versatile in the kitchen and a great addition to a garden. Maturing timespan: 50-75 days Season: Thrives in cool weather Exposure: Full sun (6-8 hours per day) Difficulty: Easy More info: Planting, Caring for the Plant, Harvesting, Seed Saving Instructions and Sources
Pak Choy	Pak choy (Shanghai green) is a variety of Chinese cabbage that is cultivated as a leaf. It is a fast-growing brassica that can be used as baby leaves or fully grown in various dishes, fresh, lightly steamed or cooked. Mature plants grow to form tightly packed, upright rosettes with white stems and large green leaves. Maturing timespan: 5-10 weeks Season: Spring Exposure: Mild, damp weather, moderate sun Difficulty: Easy More info: Planting, Caring for the Plant, Harvesting, Seed Saving Instructions and Sources