Watch the on-line orientation, then come to the library to "borrow" seeds.
How to Use the Library
The Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library is located in the main branch of the Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA. Watch our convenient on-line orientation to learn how to "borrow" seeds or attend a free orientation to learn how to use the library. Once you watch or attend an orientation you can "borrow" seeds any time the Richmond Public Library is open. You can register for an orientation on our home page, under the Events section.
The expectation is that some of the plants that you grow are allowed to go to seed and that a portion of those seeds are returned to the library to help create a resilient community and allow the library to be self-sustaining. Please learn about seed saving by visiting our seed saving resources or taking courses on seed saving. We encourage you to borrow seeds that are at your seed saving level of experience.
Borrowing 1.Fill in the membership form on the computer at the seed library. Note: The first time you log onto the computer, you will have to register and create an account. Your email address will be your username. 2. Use the seed lending library stamp to label an envelope & fill out like below. (You can also print out the form at home and put it on your own envelope before coming to the library). 3. Fill the envelope in completely. Refer to the blue resource binder in the library if you need to find a scientific name or the level of difficulty of a seed to save. _________________________________________ Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library Common Name:Tomato Scientific name: Solanum lycopersicum Variety: Brandywine Harvester: John O'Donnell Year: 2009 Location: Oakland Notes: Delicious tomato. Indeterminant. Difficulty of seed to be saved: X Easy _ Advanced
Thank you for saving seeds! Please return some at the end of the season. Visit RichmondGrows.org _________________________________________ 4. Put seeds in envelope. Take 2-3 seeds for every plant you intend to grow this season. 5.Enter the seed information on the computer.
Returning/Donating
1.For saved seeds, write the following information on an envelope: Common name: Tomato Scientific name: Solanum lycopersicum Variety: Brandywine Harvester:April Gardner Location of harvest: Richmond Year: 2010 Notes: Dry farmed, great tasting tomato Difficulty of seed to be saved: X Easy _ Advanced _________________________________________
The returning seeds sheet can be printed by clicking here. 2.Enter the returned or donated seed information on the computer at the library. 3.Put seeds in the appropriate drawer. Seeds are organized by family and the system is color- coded for ease of use. Look at the Planting Times Chart for more information about plant families.
Plant. Grow. Eat. Enjoy. Save some seeds.
Save some of the seeds at the end of the season. See resources on how to save seeds here.