North Douglas Library District's
Mildred Whipple Public Library
Link to the Past. . .Gateway to the Future
Seed Library
Welcome to the Mildred Whipple Library Community Seed Library!
The Community Seed Library at the Mildred Whipple Library is a free program committed to supporting community gardeners of all ages and experience levels.
Our Community Seed Library seeks to inspire local gardeners by providing free access to open-pollinated and heirloom seeds; supporting and connecting our community through gardening-related programming, resources, and education; and promoting biodiversity, sustainability, and greater food security through seed saving and sharing.
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Seed Library Disclaimer: Please note that not all seeds may germinate or produce viable plants. While we do our best to ensure seed quality, we also can't guarantee that all seed donations will be what is listed on the seed packet label. Seeds saved by community members may not meet state germination or labeling standards.
​Please use the buttons below to navigate to a specific section:
Garden Club
The Mildred Whipple Library
Garden Club meets 12 PM to 1 PM the second Saturday of every month.
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Garden Club meetings cover gardening topics and resources for gardeners of all ages and skill levels.
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Click the image to download a copy of this year's meeting schedule.
Confirm the current month's meeting
by contacting the Mildred Whipple Library or by checking our events page.
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Can't make Garden Club meetings but would still like to participate?
How to use the Seed Library
1. Find the Seed Library at the Mildred Whipple Library in our antique card catalog.
2. Select packets of seed varieties you would like to try. Write down which seed packets you take, or take them to the library desk to "check" them out. The seeds you borrow will not show on your account or be due back, but this helps library staff keep track of seed inventory. Additional growing information for all seeds can be found online by searching by the original seed supplier listed on each packet.
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3. Grow your seeds. Check the library's calendar for garden-related programming and use the Gardening Resources below to help make your gardening season a success. Also consider sharing photos of your garden with the library! Tag us on social media or email a photo to info@ndld.org.
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4. Save seeds (optional). Please consider saving seeds from your harvest to help continue to grow and improve our seed library collection over time. If you plan to return seeds for next year, please follow the seed saving guidelines for that species. If you are concerned about cross-pollination in seeds you have saved, please grow them an additional season at home to make sure they are true-to-type.
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5. Donate seeds (optional)! We accept donations of clean and dry heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. Donations can be made at the library desk. Type of crop, seed age, and storage method are important viability factors to consider for growing success.
Seed Library Inventory & Seed Saving Guidelines:
Seed Donations
Our seed library is stocked exclusively with donated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds from local individuals and businesses. Please consider donating seeds to help our community seed library continue to grow and improve.
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1. Seeds saved from your home garden: Please consider saving seeds from your harvest to help continue to grow and improve our seed library collection over time. If you plan to return seeds for next year, please follow the seed saving guidelines for that species. If you are concerned about cross-pollination in seeds you have saved, please grow them an additional season at home to make sure they are true-to-type. Type of crop, seed age, and storage method are important viability factors to consider for growing success. For home garden seed donations, you will be asked to fill out a donation form with the 1) Plant, 2) Variety, 3) Seed Origin, and 4) Seed Year.
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2. New, or partially used, commercial seed packets: We accept donations of clean and dry heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. Donations can be made at the library desk. Type of crop, seed age, and storage method are important viability factors to consider for growing success.
Gardening Resources
Books
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The Seed Garden by Seed Savers Exchange
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The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds by Robert Gough & Cheryl Moore-Gough
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Seed To Seed by Suzanne Ashworth
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Mildred Whipple Library's gardening and seed saving titles: https://ndld.biblionix.com/?booklist=30000
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Online Resources
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Territorial Seed Company's grow guides (Cottage Grove, Oregon): https://territorialseed.com/blogs/spring-growing-guides
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Seed Savers Exchange: https://www.seedsavers.org/learn
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OSU Extension gardening resources: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/
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OSU Extension's gardening in Oregon: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em9027
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OSU Extension's growing tip sheets by crop: https://foodhero.org/garden-tip-sheets/5491
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Seed saving instructional videos: http://seedlibraries.weebly.com/seed-saving-videos.html
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Seed Ambassadors Project: https://www.seedambassadors.org/seed-saving-guide/
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Johnny's Seeds seed storage guide: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-JSSSharedLibrary/default/dw913ac4d0/assets/information/seed-storage-guide.pdf
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Huerto de la Familia in Lane County: https://huertodelafamilia.org/
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Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (growing tips & recipes by crop): https://www.rareseeds.com/
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SoilWeb (soil survey by location): https://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/gmap/
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USDA NRCS Keys to Soil Taxonomy (determine your soil profile): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Keys-to-Soil-Taxonomy.pdf
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USDA NRCS Soil Taxonomy guide (information on classifying soils): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-06/Soil%20Taxonomy.pdf
This webpage is a growing resource for our seed library!
Make suggestions to the Mildred Whipple Library:
541-836-2648
or visit during library open hours.
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