Innisfil Seed Library

What to donate:

• Open-pollinated, nonhybrid vegetable, herb and flower seeds.
• Heirloom seed donations are greatly appreciated and help keep these old varieties alive!
• Ensure your seeds are mature and completely dry before donating.
• Check for seed viability before donating seeds.

How to package seed donations

• If donating harvested seeds from your garden, package (in envelopes, paper bags, etc.) and label donations with seed name, variety if known, harvest year and city.
• If donating commercial seeds, include the original packaging if possible.
• Be sure your packages are sealed to prevent spilling.

Where to drop off seed donations

If the seed donation bins are full, please drop off your donations at the customer service desk.

Drop off donations in person at the seed library displays at the Cookstown and Lakeshore Branches of the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library during regular business hours.

Thank you for donating seeds to the Innisfil Seed Library. We rely on seed donations each season to remain sustainable and as local as possible.

Aim for diversity ensuring a healthier, stronger stock by collecting seeds from more than one plant/fruit/flower of each variety ie. collect seeds from 5 Roma tomatoes not just one

Choose the best looking, healthiest plant/fruit/flower. Never collect seeds from diseased plants.

Allow seeds to mature and dry on the living plant before harvesting for best results. Pulpy fruits and vegetables with their seeds inside, like eggplant, should be fully grown and even past being edible for the most mature, viable seeds.

Once harvested, use paper bags to allow further drying and to prevent loss of seeds through spillage. You may also dry them on paper laid out on a table where they won’t be disturbed.

Seeds dried on branches or stalks like oregano and coriander can be hung by string in a dry, sheltered location until they are completely dry. Do not dry seeds in direct sunlight.

Once seeds are completely dry, remove seeds from their pods or branches with clean, dry hands.

Make sure seeds are completely dry before storing.

Label your seeds throughout the seed saving process. It’s easy to lose track of 3 varieties of tomato seeds!

Create a labeling system for longer storage ie. name of plant, year harvested, location, any helpful notes

Store seeds in labeled paper envelopes.

Place envelopes in a shoe box with dividers ie. cool vegetables, warm vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc.

Share your seeds, swap seeds with friends and consider donating some to the Innisfil Seed Library! We aim to have a sustainable, locally adapted stock of seeds.