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.
Terragon, Common
Artemisia dracunculus, opens a new window
Milkweed, Rose (Swamp)
Asclepias incarnata L., opens a new window
Chervil, Winter
Anthriscus cerefolium L., opens a new window
Boneset, Tall
Eupatorium altissimum, opens a new window
Brown-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia triloba, opens a new window
Verbena / Purpletop Vervain
Verbena bonariensis, opens a new window
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.
Fall Gardening
- Ultimate Virginia Fall Planting Guide: What, When, and How, opens a new window
- Fall Vegetable Gardening, opens a new window
- Planning the Fall Vegetable Garden, opens a new window
- Fall is for Planting Natives, opens a new window
- How to Plant Wildflowers in Fall, opens a new window
- VCE October Tips TREES, SHRUBS and GROUNDCOVERS, opens a new window
- Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia Guide to Vegetable Gardening by the month, opens a new window
- MGACRA Fall Vegetable Gardening presentation, opens a new window
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.
