Frequently Asked Questions

The Seed Library of Waynesville is a seed lending library, not a seed bank or depository. We are located in the library and are open whenever the library is open. You must have a Cardinal library card in good standing to check out seeds. To return seeds, you will be required to fill out a seed library membership form. We provide free classes on organic gardening and seed saving, and you can borrow books from the library on these topics. 

When you borrow seeds, please plant them and then return the next generation of the seeds for others to borrow. We encourage beginning home gardeners to save seeds from the "super easy" and "easy" plants (i.e. tomatoes, lettuce, beans, peas and peppers). Please do not try to save seeds from plants in the "difficult" category (i.e. squash, cucumbers, corn) until you have more experience saving seeds.

Humans have been saving seeds for over 12,000 years. However, in our culture, much of that knowledge has been lost over the last hundred years, along with significant biodiversity. When you grow and save your own seeds, you develop seed stock that is well suited to your climate, save money, and have quality control. When you participate in the seed library, you help create a culture of sharing and abundance.