Somers Seed Lending Library

As the groundhog said, spring will be early this year! Let’s all hope he is right and we can all start planning our gardens.  Since now is the time to gather your seeds and get growing, the Somers Seed Lending Library is a good place to start!

The Somers Seed Lending Library is a wonderful addition to our library and to this community. Somers Seed Lending Library is a free community heirloom seed lending project, demonstrating
that libraries check out more than books! The idea is simple. Growers get enough seed to grow 5-
6 plants from the seed catalog located behind the Reference Desk, record what they are taking
with them as well as basic contact information for later in the season. Then they grow their plants
during the season. At the end of the growing season for that plant, the grower harvests as usual,
but saves some of the seed for next season, and returns a portion, usually 2-3 times the starting
amount (or more) to the seed library to continue the cycle.

In the early months of 2013, librarians at the Somers Library worked to make the seed lending
library a reality.  They planned, prepared and organized this collection and then asked the
Friends of the Somers Library to support the initiative by purchasing our first supply of heirloom
seeds.  Over these last two years, the Friends have graciously supplemented our collection with
the purchase of additional seeds.  We are so pleased to offer our patrons this unique opportunity.
Our hope is that you will enjoy gardening and picking the fruits of your hard labor. Along with
saving seeds, consider checking out some great books on gardening and cooking to experience a
true culinary treat! Follow Somers Seed Lending Library on Facebook by clicking here.

Donations are gratefully accepted to help grow our seed library. Checks can be made out to the
Friends of Somers Library, with a note in the memo field stating "For Seed Library." Also on our
wish list: new packets of Heirloom Seeds. So, please come and visit the Somers Seed Lending Library to get heirloom quality seeds to grow quality plants—and to get into the spirit of the season of spring!