Still Buying Seeds For Your Vegetable Garden? Check Out Local Libraries Instead — Here's Why

When gardening season approaches, it can be very exciting to decide which seeds you're going to plant. Whether you are an experienced gardening pro or new to it, you'll have to decide how to use your limited space for flowers, fruits, or vegetables. Going to a store or shopping online to get seeds can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be that way. Check with your local library and see if they have a seed library service. You may be able to get your whole garden squared away at no cost.

Many public libraries, as well as some universities and conservation groups, have seed libraries available for anyone who wants to use them. Libraries will require you to have a valid card, while schools and conservation groups may have different requirements depending on where you are. Typically, however, these services are free or available for a very small fee. It's a great way to grow your own vegetables on a budget.

Seed libraries are full of local seeds, grown by people in the area. You're able to check out these seeds and grow them in your own garden. At the end of the season, they encourage you to let some plants go to seed so you can harvest and return them, but this is usually optional and depends on how well the plants grew. Since the system only works if people bring seeds back, ideally, you can return something, but no one's going to chase you down if you don't.

You can find a stunning variety of seeds at some libraries, with over 100 types of plants available at some. Since they are all locally sourced, most of them should be able to grow in your garden. Selection will vary based on what people have grown and returned, but you can expect to find flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Many of these libraries also offer heirloom varieties that can be hard to find elsewhere. Some programs even offer seeds tied to cultural traditions, allowing you to grow foods connected to the history of certain regions or communities.

Hundreds of libraries across America offer this service, and it doesn't stop there. If you need more than seeds, many libraries also offer what's called a Thing Library, where, if you need a thing, like a gardening tool, you can borrow that too. So, not only can you get those heirloom tomatoes you want to grow in your garden, you can also check out a trowel or other gardening tools to make sure you get them planted the way you want.

Seed libraries have limits on what you can check out, but they vary from location to location. Some will let you check out a general quantity, while others might limit the number of varieties. You'll have to inquire to find out what the terms are at your local library. Regardless of the number, they should all be plants that are fairly easy to grow, even for beginners, and give you a great start on any garden.