[Michlib-l] Seed library - how many seeds

[Pam Quackenbush]

Happy to jump in on this! At my seed library we accept donations from
businesses, seed companies, seed swaps, and home gardeners. Part of the
mission of our seed library is to educate the public about saving seeds and
encouraging them to grow for the seed library to help it become
self-sustaining.
The amount of donations ebbs and flows, but has been quite strong the last
few years. We support the seed library with lots of programming.

I try to estimate how many seeds per packet based on how many seeds will
produce something to eat and hopefully they can save a few seeds and
increase the quantity. These are sample packets, not enough to grow a giant
garden. We have to share the wealth with as many people as possible.
Beans and peas 20 per pack. Same for corn, enough to grow a block of (4) 4'
rows
Squash, cucumbers, melons - enough for 2 hills or 4 feet of trellis so
about 10 seeds
Packets of small seeds like carrots and lettuce get a healthy pinch that
usually has 30-40 seeds
Beets, chard, parsnips around 16-20, enough for a 4' row.
Okra, roselle, sunflowers 10 or so.
Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, peppers: 8-12
Most flowers at least 10-15.
Scarce items less, but if you get a gallon ziploc of something you can be
more generous or share with another seed library.

--
Pam Quackenbush
Lyon Township Public Library
27005 Milford Road
South Lyon, MI 48178
248-437-8800 ext 617
pquackenbush at ltpl.org



On Wed, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM North Adams Library via Michlib-l <
michlib-l at mcls.org> wrote:

> If your library offers a Seed Library, do you accept donations of seeds as
> part of the program?
>
> And if so, what kinds are accepted?
> -Seeds in an unopened packet
> -Seeds from your own garden
> -Seeds that remain from the original packets you pick up at the library?
>
> Thank you!
> Mariele
>
> Mariele Busch
> Library Director
> North Adams Community Memorial Library
> 4695 Knowles Rd, North Adams
> 517-287-4426
> northadamslibrarian at gmail.com
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 9:02 PM Helena Hayes via Michlib-l <
> michlib-l at mcls.org> wrote:
>
>> For those of you who have a seed library, how many seeds do you include
>> in each pack?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Helena
>>
>>
>> Helena Hayes, MLIS
>>
>> Director
>>
>> Galesburg Charleston Memorial District Library
>>
>> 188 E. Michigan Ave.
>>
>> Galesburg, MI 49053
>>
>>
>> Phone: 269-665-7839
>>
>> Fax: 269-665-7788
>>
>>
>> www.galesburgcharlestonlibrary.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> Michlib-l mailing list
>> Michlib-l at mcls.org
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>>
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