Seed libraries

Seed libraries enable gardeners to share open-pollinated, heirloom and local seeds with the community.

How it works

• Borrow – borrow seeds to grow at home or at your community garden (maximum 3 packets per household)
• Grow – take your seeds home to grow in your garden
• Save – leave at least one plant to go to seed at the end of the season
• Return – collect and return saved seeds to the seed library to continue the cycle!

Seed library locations

• Alphington Community Centre
  2 Kelvin Grove, Alphington
• Newton Street Community Garden
  9 Newton Street, Reservoir
• Northcote Library
  Separation Street, Northcote
• Sylvester Hive Community Garden
  corner of Dean and Gray Streets, Preston
• Jika Jika Community Centre
  1B Plant Street, Northcote

You can borrow seeds from any seed library and when you have some to share, you can return seeds to any location.

Each seed library is stocked with empty seed saving packets and copies of our Seed Saving Guide(PDF, 8MB).

The seed libraries rely on gardeners and seed savers returning seeds at the end of the season. Seed donations are also welcome. Please only share organically grown, open-pollinated, heirloom or local seeds with the library.