OISE Library’s branch of the Toronto Seed Library has been restocked! Come by to browse this season’s offerings, pick out plants, or get a taste for something new.

What is a seed library, and how does it work?

Seed libraries are projects set up to share seeds for free. Seed libraries are often smaller in size and located within existing libraries. Some seed libraries focus on preserving heirloom, local, or rare seeds and plants as a method of supporting local biodiversity, heritage, and food systems. Seeds of Diversity, which is the organization the Toronto Seed Library is a part of, also organizes regular events open to all.

As you may have seen on our Instagram page or in the library, OISE Library has a seed library, which resides in an old card catalogue. The seed library has packets of seeds free for anyone to take and grow. The labels on the drawers are colour-coded: purple for flowers, brown for herbs, and green for fruit, vegetables, and legumes.

Seed libraries can also ‘lend’ seed: once someone has taken seeds and grown the plant, the person can save the seeds the plant produces and ‘return’ them to the seed library as a replenishing donation for others to draw from. It’s alright if you can’t do this though, if you grew a plant and learned something new about the plant or your environment, our seed library is still doing its job.

How do I save seeds from plants?

Seed saving is the practice of cleaning and drying seeds for storage. The specific techniques involved will vary depending on the type of plant, for example, harvesting and saving sunflower seeds will be different to saving pumpkin seeds that need to be washed before drying. Check out this blog post or the links below for some gardening and seed-saving resources to get started!

Seed saving resources: Highlights

Community Seed Network resources: A digital range of seed saving resources for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Field guide to urban gardening: How to grow plants, no matter where you live: A guide on gardening in small areas, pots, bins, vertical setups, and more.
The seed garden: The art and practice of seed saving: A book focused on saving and cultivating seeds, including information for each stage of the growing cycle.

Bibliography:

Colley, M., Zystro, J., Buttala, L. A., & Siegel, S. (2015). The seed garden: The art and practice of seed saving. Seed Savers Exchange. https://librarysearch.library.utoronto.ca/permalink/01UTORONTO_INST/1no0b6e/alma991107189665606196

Espiritu, K. (2019). Field guide to urban gardening: How to grow plants, no matter where you live. Cool Springs Press. https://librarysearch.library.utoronto.ca/permalink/01UTORONTO_INST/14bjeso/alma991107336557006196

Graham, K. (2025, August 6). Education outdoors and in the garden. OISE Library. University of Toronto Libraries: Library Blogs. https://blogs.library.utoronto.ca/blog/education-outdoors-and-garden

Seed Saving Resources—Community Seed Network. (2021, February 19). https://www.communityseednetwork.org/resources/

Seedy Saturdays and Events – Seeds of Diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2026, from https://seeds.ca/events/

Toronto Seed Library. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2026, from https://torontoseedlibrary.org/

OISE Seed Library Update!

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