The Seed Library
Spring 2024 Update – Launching March 4!
There will be no formal check-out this year, simply stop by one of our seven branch locations to pick-up your seeds to plant at home. Seeds are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last. A maximum of 3 seed packets may be picked-up at one time. Some seeds may not be available at all locations, so please contact your local branch in advance of your visit to confirm what they have in stock. The full list of available seeds for the current season can be viewed below.
About the Seed Library
The OPL Seed Library is an educational project that provides customers with the opportunity to grow their own plants, harvest their own food, and participate in a community-wide sharing initiative.
The communal Seed Library offers a wide selection of seeds, which library customers can “borrow” free of charge. Customers are encouraged to plant the seeds in their personal gardens, nurture the plants as they grow, and, once mature, harvest the seeds to return to the library.
The simple cycle of borrowing, growing, harvesting, and returning seeds promotes a culture of sharing within our community and provides hands-on experiences that allow customers to better understand agriculture and sustainability.
Available Seeds – Spring 2024
Visit the Growing Guide for more information on how to grow and nurture your plant, or see the Step-By-Step Harvesting Guide to learn more about how to harvest your seeds. Empty donation envelopes are available at all branches and we encourage you to donate some of your harvested seeds back to the seed library once the growing season is over.
| Basil | Snow Peas - Oregon Sugar Pod II |
| Bush Beans | Pepper - Early Cal Wonder |
| Chives | Pole Beans |
| Four O'Clocks | Squash Butternut |
| Kale | Tomatoes - Bonny Best |
| Marigold | Tomatoes - Sweetie (Cherry) |
| Parsley |
Share Your Story
We want to hear about your experience of growing and harvesting your own plants! If you’d like to share – whether successful or not – use the hashtag #OPLSeedLibrary and tag @OakvilleLibrary on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email your photos or questions to oplreference@oakville.ca.
Thank you to our donors
The OPL Seed Library was established in 2017 and continues to operate because of generous donations made by avid Oakville Public Library supporters, Richard and Barbara Birkett. We are grateful for their commitment to building and strengthening a culture of sharing and sustainability within the Oakville community.
The OPL Seed Library continues to run on support with donated seeds from the Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society.