The Heart of the Three Village Community
Seed Library
Our Seed Library is a collection of flower, herb, and vegetable seed packets. These packets are freely available to Emma Clark Library cardholders. The seeds are all organic; many are also Long Island native plants. The seed packets are housed in an “old-fashioned” card catalog – a specialized piece of furniture that we no longer use in the Library since we’ve moved to an online catalog, but have now effectively repurposed for the seeds. You’ll find it between the Adult Reference Desk and the Café.
Below the Seed Library, you’ll find our Seed Swap Box, designed for the public to donate and share seeds. All donated seeds should be in a sealed, labeled packet. These will not be inspected or cataloged by the Library.
The goals of these resources are to provide seeds, build community, and support people who are new to the world of gardening, as well as those who are well-seasoned gardeners.
How Does the Seed Library Work?
Each patron may take no more than 3 seed packets per week from the Seed Library. You do not need to check the packets out. Instead, please sign our Seed Library Guest Book, indicating which seed packets you took, as well as any comments you may have. We’d love to hear from you! Seed packets are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Some Examples of Seeds that May Be Available in the Seed Library:
- Flowers – Amaranth, Echinacea, & Sunflowers
- Herbs – Basil, Chives, & Dill
- Fruits & Vegetables – Arugula, Bok Choy, Green Beans, Okra, Spinach, & Sugar Snap Peas
Our Seed Library is a growing collection, and new varieties of seeds may be added from time to time. Similarly, as seed packets are taken, not all may be replaced, as we have a limited number of seeds available. Please be mindful of what you take, and remember this is a shared resource for all in our community.
Can I Donate Seeds?
We love our generous Three Village community! If you have seeds that you would like to share with others, please place them in our Seed Swap Box, below the Seed Library. All donated seeds should be in a sealed, labeled packet. There is no limit to how many seeds you may donate or take from the Swap Box. What is found in the Swap Box is not cataloged or inspected by the library. Take what you would like; you may find a new favorite!
Upcoming Gardening Classes
Late Bloomers: Late Starters You Can Plant Right Now! (In-Person)
Wednesday, July 2, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Off to a late start and worried that you missed the boat on getting a garden in place this year? Fret not! There are many summer vegetables and flowers you can still plant! Join librarian and organic grower Regina Dlugokencky to learn all about succession planting, the unknown benefits of a late start, and some quick methods to get growing now. Click here to register starting 6/23.
Creating and Maintaining a Pollinator Garden with Native Plants (Online)
Monday, August 11, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Learn how to create and maintain pollinator habitat! Anthony Marinello, a NY State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional, will teach you what species of plants pack the greatest ecological punch for supporting our imperiled pollinators as well as best practices for successfully providing long-term habitat for various species. Click here to register starting 6/17.
Show us what you’ve planted in your garden, thanks to our Seed Library!
We’d love to see those colorful flowers, delicious herbs, and healthy fruits & vegetables. Post a photo and tag us on Facebook and/or Instagram @EmmaClarkLibrary. #SeedLibrary
Make sure your post is public so that we can view it!
Additional Gardening Resources
We have a robust collection of books on Gardening in our Adult, Young Adult, and Children’s Non-Fiction Collections.
You can find them under the Dewey Decimal Number 635.
We offer gardening programs periodically at the Library, both in-person, and on Zoom. Check out our latest
newsletter for program listings.
The following are some links you may find useful when planning your garden:
- Companion Planting from Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
- Native Plant Finder from National Wildlife Federation
- Nature’s Pest Controls from Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
- Seed Saving Guide from Seed Savers Exchange
- Starting Seeds Indoors from Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
Questions? Email askus@emmaclark.org
The Heart of the Three Village Community
