NEW! Visit the Digging Durham website at diggingdurham.org.

The new Digging Durham Seed Library launches on Wednesday, April 23 at Main, South Regional and Southwest Regional Libraries. Library patrons will be able to “check out” seeds and then “return” harvested seeds once the growing season is complete. Seed varieties include tomatoes, peppers, beans and many more.

Since February, the library has been collecting seeds from local gardeners, farms, community organizations and businesses, including Baker Street Seeds, Monticello, SEEDS, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, NC Tomato Man (Craig LeHoullier) and Stone Bros. & Byrd.

The seeds will be stored in old-fashioned card catalogs at the three locations. Checkout is limited to four seed packets per patron, and additional information is available at each location with growing instructions for the seeds.

Seed availability is first-come, first-served while supplies last.

The seed library will accept donated seeds throughout the year at every location. Donors should place the seeds in an envelope, with their name and contact information, as well as the history of the seeds, including how they are linked to the donor’s family, house or farm and the plants they produced. While all donations are appreciated, the library is especially focused on open pollinated and/or heirloom flower and vegetable seeds well-suited for Durham’s climate. The library will accept hybrid seeds usually sold at retail garden centers, although these types of seeds can only be used for growing, not saving. Donors may also give already opened seed packets if they have been stored in a cool, dry environment and are less than two years old.

For more information, please contact Joanne Abel at 919-560-0268 or email jabel@dconc.gov

Helpful Growing Information

We have provided links to helpful information from a variety of sources to help when planting and saving your seeds. This information can also be found in the notebooks that accompany each seed library.