Donate a Seed, Take a Seed
Donating seeds is a wonderful way to support our community and promote biodiversity. Bring in your heirloom, non-hybrid seeds to share by planting them, and let some of them grow to maturity. When you harvest the next generation of seeds, return some to the library so other people can check them out. You can borrow up to 5 seed packets at a time.
To donate seeds, please follow recommended harvesting/seed saving techniques.
- Label the seeds clearly with the plant species, variety, and the year they were harvested.
- Bring your seeds to the 3rd floor of the Fredericksburg Branch and place them in the basket by the Seed Library.
- Read Seed Saving for Beginners and Grow A Row to get even more tips.
What's in the Seed Library right now?
Donating seeds not only helps others grow food and plants but also contributes to preserving genetic diversity in local ecosystems. We keep the available seeds to the seasonal calendar. Browse the lists below. Available while supplies last.
Did you know that we're in zones 7a/b?
Garden Zones 7a and 7b refer to specific hardiness zones within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which helps gardeners determine which plants are most likely to thrive in their region based on climate conditions, particularly minimum winter temperatures.
- Zone 7a has a minimum average winter temperature range of 0°F to 5°F (-18°C to -15°C).
- Zone 7b has a minimum average winter temperature range of 5°F to 10°F (-15°C to -12°C).
These zones are part of a broader system that divides the United States into 13 zones based on temperature extremes. In Zone 7, winters are relatively mild compared to colder zones, allowing a wide variety of plants to thrive, including many perennials, shrubs, and trees.
Typical plants for these zones include roses, lilacs, lavender, and some fruit trees. The growing season in Zone 7 typically extends from early spring to late fall, making it a good region for many types of flowers, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
Spring Gardening Tasks
As your garden starts waking up in spring, it's time to start planting, pruning, and prepping for the growing season ahead. Use this Spring Gardening Checklist from Better Homes & Gardens for a pretty landscape all year.
Early Spring Tasks
1. Clean up flowerbeds.
Clear away dead leaves or any other winter debris from the soil surfaces where you're planning to plant annual flowers and vegetables. Remove protective winter mulch from around perennials and ornamental grasses, and cut back last year's dried foliage. To protect yourself from cuts and scrapes, remember to wear gardening gloves, especially when working with plants with prickly leaves.
2. Divide your perennials.
A good time to divide many perennials is just before spring growth begins. Dividing perennials is a budget-friendly way to add more plants to your garden, or to share extras with friends. It also aids in keeping your existing perennials healthy. After a few years, if your plants grow in a large clump, the middle can thin out, leaving a bare spot. Dividing the clump will encourage new growth.
3. Add mulch around perennials.
One of the easiest ways to make your yard look polished is to add a fresh layer of mulch around the garden beds. This also helps the soil retain moisture and keeps down weeds. Spread the mulch evenly with your gloved hands or use a rake, being careful not to layer it on too thickly or too close to your plants, which can cause diseases. Keeping the mulch level also helps it stay in place during heavy rains or wind..
4. Prune trees and shrubs.
If you didn't prune in winter, now is the time to trim your fruit trees. Prune before the buds begin to break into bloom, or you'll stress the tree and get a tiny crop (or possibly none). It's also a good time to prune evergreen trees and shrubs.
5. Plant vegetables.
Hardy, cool-season vegetables, like potatoes, artichokes, peas, and some lettuces, germinate best in cool soil, so plant them in early spring, once the soil has thawed. They should be ready to harvest by early summer.
Mid Spring Tasks
1. Make notes as you watch the spring bloom.
Some of your spring bulbs should be starting to flower. Enjoy the blooms, and take note of any empty spots where you'll want to plant bulbs later in the fall.
2. Plant new perennials and cold-hardy annuals.
Freshly planted perennials need a little time to get settled and grow new roots before hot summer weather hits. For some quick garden color, add a few cool-season annuals, like pansies or snapdragons. They also work well in containers, where they'll brighten your front porch.
3. Add new trees and shrubs.
Plant as soon as the ground is no longer frozen. The earlier you can do this, the better, so your trees and shrubs have enough time to grow new roots before temperatures start getting hot.
4. Apply fresh mulch.
Once you're finished planting, add a fresh layer of mulch around all your new plants. If you mulch now, before weeds have a chance to sprout, you'll have next-to-no weeding come summer.
Late Spring Tasks
1. Deadhead flowering bulbs.
Remove spent blossoms from spring-flowering bulbs; this encourages the plants to store energy for next year rather than expend it to make seeds. Let the foliage die back on its own, and don't remove it until it's completely yellow or dried up.
2. Plant summer annuals.
Pick out flats of your favorite summer annuals, like petunias, impatiens, and zinnias. Choose plants that aren't yet in bloom, because they'll be stronger.
3. Start warm-season vegetables.
While you're harvesting the radishes and lettuces you sowed early in the spring, you can transplant seedlings of warm-season crops, like tomatoes, peppers, and all sorts of herbs.
4. Plant summer-blooming bulbs.
While spring-blooming bulbs should be planted in the fall, summer-blooming bulbs, like dahlias and gladiolus, should be planted once there's no more threat of frost. Check your area's average last frost date for a general idea of when to plant these bulbs, then get them in the ground once the soil has warmed up.
Spring Gardening Advice
Southern Exposure Growing Guides
Includes seasonal and seed-saving guides.
Ultimate Guide to Gardening in Virginia
Looking to get into gardening in Virginia, but not sure where to start? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about gardening in Virginia, from the best plants to grow to how to deal with pests and weeds.
Early Season Gardening Advice From a Northern Virginia Master Gardener, opens a new window
15 Early Spring Gardening Tasks | Almanac.com, opens a new window
Starting Seeds Indoors | Piedmont Master Gardeners, opens a new window
Virginia’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide
, opens a new windowRecommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant | VCE Publications
A Month-by-Month Guide to Vegetable Gardening
Monthly information on general garden design, planning, maintenance, and pest and disease detection from the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia.
Click the icon to see To Do Lists and more. To see all months, go here.
