If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need--Cicero (d. 43BC)
Our mission
The mission of the Andover Seed Library, located at Memorial Hall Library, is to nurture a community of organic gardeners by providing free seeds, free lectures and growing advice.
What is a seed library?
In a traditional seed library, members come to the library and 'borrow' seed for their garden. They grow the plants in their garden, and at the end of the season, they let a few plants 'go to seed'. From those plants, they collect and dry the seeds and return a few to the library, if possible. The more members involved, the greater selection of seeds available to the public.
The Andover Seed Library provides free seeds and seed catalogues to the community, along with a free lecture series and growing advice. No one is required to return seed to the seed library, but people are welcome to share their leftover seed and informally exchange seeds with other gardeners.
How the Seed Library Works
- Choose a maximum of 6 seed packets per visit.
- Pick up catalogs and planting guides, if available.
- Browse our gardening books in Level G in the 635s.
- Check back - we'll be adding new seeds during the season!
- If you have leftover seeds you wish to donate, you can leave them on top of the cabinets for our informal seed exchange.
Our goals
- Provide free seeds to the Andover community from seed companies and occasional seeds from gardeners who've saved seeds from plants that thrive in our local area.
- Encourage the use of heirloom, open-pollinated and organic seeds.
- Encourage gardeners to save seed and donate seed back to the Seed Library from successful varieties of plants they have grown.
- Educate our community on topics related to gardening, ecology, food and nutrition, health and wellness and the environment.
- Promote the importance of organic gardening for our health and the health of our planet.
What seeds should I save?
Some seeds are self-pollinators and can be easily saved, others require some know-how to prevent cross pollination. Here’s a sample of some common fruits and vegetables and the level of expertise required:
Easy peasy: Beans, Peas, Lettuce, Peppers
Fairly easy: Swiss Chard, Beets, Spinach, Sunflowers, Carrots, Parsley, Arugula
Not as easy: Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Radish, Turnip, Cucumber, Squash, Tomatoes