Seed Library

Seed Library

What is the Seed Library?

Blueberry in a pile of seed packages.

Our Seed Library is a free service of the Hanover Public Library. You do not need to be a member to enjoy this service. Our aim is to foster well being and community through the sharing of resources. Just like a Public Library, a Seed Library works on the basis of borrowing seeds for free. You can return any unused seeds back to the Library as long as they are in their original package. We provide a wide range of organic and heirloom vegetables, flowers and herbs. Looking for something specific? Ask the front desk staff today!

How Does it Work?

Visitors are allowed to take up to 5 packets of seeds per visit. This allows us to service as many people as possible. Select any combination of up to 5 packages, then use the provided check-out cards to write the types of seeds you are taking and hand the card into the front desk staff. This allows us to keep track of what we need to replenish.

How do I “Return” my seeds?

We will take back any unused seeds as long as they are dry, clean and in the original package. We also can accept any donations of new packages of seeds including: vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruits. You can drop off your donations to the Library front desk staff.

Why do we need a Seed Library?

According to the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit 1 in 6 households in Grey-Bruce are food insecure. They also reported that 1 in 5 children living in Grey-Bruce live in a food insecure household. Being food insecure means that these households do not have enough money to buy food. By having a free Seed Library and providing the community with the knowledge and tools to grow their own food, we can begin to reduce the number of suffering families and create a food stable community.

Pepperjack sits behind a growing stock of basil.

Growing Tips!

Some Seeds like to be started indoors

  • Start these seeds inside according to the time on the packet. Plant them in good quality soil near a bright window or light source
  • Before you take your plants fully outside they need to be hardened off. This means taking them outside for a few hours each day gradually increasing the length of time. This allows them to be exposed to wind and sun which will toughen them up.
  • Examples: Tomatoes, Peppers, Celery and Eggplant.

Plants like Space

  • Start these plants outside as directed on the packet.
  • Example: Peas, Carrots, Corn and Onions.

Some seeds like to be started outdoors

  • In small spaces only plant 1 of each type of plant. Ex. one pepper plant and one tomato plant
  • In larger spaces keep different varieties of the same plant away from each other to avoid cross pollination

List of seeds currently available

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Flowers
  • Herbs
  • Kohl Rabi
  • Leafy Greens
  • Leeks
  • Melons
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Pumpkin
  • Radishes 
  • Rutabaga 
  • Sprouts
  • Swiss Chard
  • Squash 
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnip, 
  • Zucchini 

Online Presentation of Wild, Weird and Wacky Weather with David T. Chapman

Wild, Weird and Wacky Weather with David T. Chapman

Join in online, anytime for a virtual presentation of Wild, Weird and Wacky Weather. In a country that is so vast and surrounded by large oceans, it is no wonder we have some of the most interesting weather in the world. It offers such a variety all year round because of its terrain, temperature variations and location. Learn about Fallstreak Holes, Superior Mirages and discover how far south the Aurora Borealis can actually be seen. This presentation covers North America’s weather uniqueness, power and beauty all wrapped into one. The presentation link will be available until March 31st, 2022. We are excited to bring you this engaging, fact-filled presentation that you may enjoy again and again! Free on behalf of Hanover Public Library.

Click on the YouTube Video Link here:  https://youtu.be/hdnLh-w3XsU

About David T. Chapman

David started doing photography at the age of 16. He is self-taught in the art of photography and has been pursuing his career professionally since the age of eighteen. David learned at a very young age from his father to appreciate his environment in the surrounding countryside. David likes to seek out unusual examples of nature such as albino robins, ice crystal formations and frozen water droplets. To date he has found multi-petalled Ontario trilliums, the highest of which had 33 petals. David is also a professional speaker and enjoys entertaining and educating a good crowd. His main areas of expertise are Weather/Aurora Borealis, Local Interests and Ontario Scenery of Ontario, Birds and Wildlife.