With a mission to empower gardeners to take control of their food and spend less, La Conner’s Seed Library is sowing the seeds of sustainability — one packet at a time.
La Conner’s Seed Library was built by Library Technician Char Langendorfer and her husband and added to the library when the new building opened in October 2022.
“We thought it would be a great addition, especially with all of our gardening and farming loving patrons,” Langendorfer said.
This free community resource is available for seed swapping all year round.
Seed saving helps gardeners cut costs by reducing the need to purchase new seeds every year. Langendorfer also said plants grown from saved seeds adapt better over time to local soil and climate conditions. La Conner’s seed library currently has a variety of seeds — from Hollyhock flowers to pumpkins and tomatoes.
Langendorfer said learning how to dry and store seeds properly can save a lot of money. Besides, “it’s fun to share!”
“In an age where sustainability has become increasingly important, seed saving empowers gardeners to take control of their food,” Langendorfer said.
Leftover seeds are composted when they expire.
The La Conner Swinomish Library is promoting a spring seed swap on Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22). Come in any time between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring seed packets to share, labeled with the variety and date they were collected. The Seed Lending Library is located in the library’s conference room.
Sow it goes: Seed swap guidelines
- Harvested and store-bought seeds can be shared
- Bring any type of seeds — no restrictions here!
- Make sure seeds are:
- No more than two years old
- Clearly labeled with type/variety and harvest date
- Stored in a dry, sealed container or envelope
- Bulk seeds in jars are welcome — seed envelopes and spoons are available for sharing and portioning.
- Take only what you can grow so there’s enough to go around.
For more information, contact the La Conner Swinomish Library at 360-466-3352.
Staci Baird: staci@laconnercommunitynews.org is the managing editor for La Conner Community News.
