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 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.
One Seed Program
Plant a Seed and Watch it Grow!
How to participate in the One Seed: Cucumbers Program.
- Check out Cucumber seeds from the Seed Library
- Plant them in the ground or a container.
- Enjoy watching your cucumbers grow and the happy insects that visit.
- Experiment with using this plant in your cooking.
- Harvest and save some seeds for yourself and some for the library
- Share saved seeds with the Seed Library, where they will join the donations of other gardeners.
Help ensure we have seeds to plant for seasons to come!
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.
- Piedmont Master Gardeners' tips for June, opens a new window, July, opens a new window, and August, opens a new windowÂ
- Insect Pest Management for the Vegetable Garden, opens a new window - in-depth online class offered by Extension Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Late Summer Gardening Advice
1. Water, please! As the summer heat settles in, the soil in your containers and garden beds will begin to dry out more quickly than it did in the spring. Keep a close eye on them to make sure your plants aren’t wilting between waterings. Those growing in full sun will need to be watered more frequently than those in the shade.
2. Don’t let the weeds win. It never seems to fail that the weeds grow faster than the pretty plants. Staying on top of them and pulling them before they spread is a season-long task, and summer is no exception.
3. Feed those plants! Annual flowers should be fed regularly throughout the whole growing season so they have enough energy to continue growing and producing flowers.
4. Watch out for garden pests. Insects and four-legged pests are active all summer long, so keep your eye peeled for any issues that might crop up.
5. Remove spent perennial blossoms. Many types of perennials are commonly deadheaded, meaning their spent flower stems are trimmed off, to encourage rebloom and tidy up the plant’s appearance.
6. Support leaning plants and vines. By now, your plants have grown much taller and might be starting to lean over on their neighbors. That’s OK, we all need a little support from our friends now and then. But if they are leaning to the point where their stems might break, or they are smothering nearby plants, it’s time to stake them up.
7. Mulch getting a little thin? Sometimes, finely textured mulches break down before the season is over and need to be reapplied in summer. Mulch keeps the plants’ roots cool and retains soil moisture, which is important to keep your plants from getting stressed in the summer heat.
8. Add a pop of color where it's needed. No matter how many plants you pick up at the garden center in spring, it seems there’s always a spot or two in the summer garden where you need a little more color.
9. Take pictures of your garden. Be proud of your work and show it off! Your friends and relatives will love seeing pictures of your garden on your Facebook and other social media pages. It’s a fun way to share a bit of yourself with others.
10. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and share them with others. Summer is the ideal time to kick back and enjoy the beauty you have created in your outdoor living spaces.
From 10 Tasks to Keep Your Summer Garden Singing by Proven Winners
Between the Rows – A Guide to Vegetable Gardening
Find information on general garden design, planning, maintenance, and pest and disease detection in these sections.
Native Plant Spotlight
Native plants have evolved to thrive in specific climate, soil, and weather conditions, requiring less water, fertilizer, and maintenance compared to non-native species. They provide vital habitat and food for local wildlife, especially pollinators like bees and butterflies, and help maintain the health of ecosystems.
Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who serve as community educators in horticulture. Their goal is to promote environmentally sound, sustainable gardening techniques and help improve local ecosystems through education and hands-on involvement.
Downtown Greens
Downtown Green’s mission is to enhance the well-being of our community, by connecting people with nature through education and the preservation of greenspaces. They run a monthly Gardening Workshop at the Fredericksburg Library 1st Tuesdays of each month, 10:00-11:00am.
Xerces Society
A non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates, particularly pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Their website has "Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant" lists, searchable by state.
