Digging Durham Seed Library

Did you know that you can check out seeds at the library? The Digging Durham Seed Library offers vegetable, herb, and flower seeds that you can take home and plant. You can take seed packets each season, and if you grow seeds, you can donate them for others to check out. By providing both a repository for seeds and training for the folks who plant them, the seed library helps to improve local sustainable food sources, enhance food security, develop local biodiversity, and boost Durham’s foodie culture.

The Digging Durham Seed Library is sponsored by the Durham Library Foundation.

How it works

Seeds are available at these Durham County Library locations while supplies last:

You will find seeds at each location along with a brochure with resources on how to plant and care for them. The seed libraries are typically stocked mid-February through October. Different types of seeds are available throughout the growing season – available seeds may include vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Seeds are available first-come, first-served while supplies last.

You are welcome to take four seed packets per season. You don’t need a library card to use the seed library.

Get involved

Donating seeds is a great way to get involved with this unique project. If you grow open pollinated seeds, please save some from your harvest and bring them back to the library! This will help the Digging Durham Seed Library continue to grow and to develop seeds well-adapted for Durham’s soil and climate.

We accept donated seeds throughout the year at every location. To donate, place the seeds in an envelope with your name and contact info, as well as the history of the seeds, including how they are linked to your family, house, or farm, and the plants they produced.

While we appreciate all donations, the seed library is especially focused on open pollinated and/or heirloom flower and vegetable seeds well-suited for Durham’s climate. You may also donate already opened seed packets if they have been stored in a cool, dry environment and are less than two years old.

If you want to help out more with the seed library, you can volunteer with tasks like sorting and packing seeds. Keep an eye on our events calendar for upcoming sorting sessions, or get in touch for more info.

Growing Resources

Stay connected

Sign up for the Digging Durham Seed Library newsletter!

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Upcoming gardening events

Plant Swap

Saturday, March 25, 2023 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Meeting Room - Full Room)

Take a plant, leave a plant, and chat with an Master Gardener from Durham County Extension! Drop by anytime from 2-4 pm to exchange or share houseplants, vegetable starts, annuals, perennials, or seeds. Please ensure that any items brought...

Ages: Intergenerational

Nature Club @ Southwest - Succulent Gardens!

Wednesday, April 05, 2023 • 4:30pm - 5:15pm

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Learn about gardening, wildlife, eco friendly crafts, and more! We'll do a different activity each month. Ages 7-11....

Ages: Elementary School, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds

Registration required

Wildflower Seed Bombs!

Monday, April 17, 2023 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Get ready for Earth Day with a fun and eco-friendly activity! Make a seed bomb and learn about the Digging Durham Seed Library.   This is a drop-in event, so please join us any time during the program. All ages welcome. 

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds

Gardening Lecture Series: Pest and Disease Management

Saturday, April 22, 2023 • 10:00am - 12:00pm

Main Library

Durham County Library and Durham County Extension Present: Sprouting Connection Gardening Lecture Series Pest and Disease Management with Extension Agent Ashley Troth

Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, Intergenerational, Senior Citizen

Registration required

Growing Little Gardeners (Ages 3-5)

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 • 10:30am - 11:30am

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Regional - Outdoor Space)

Join us for an outdoor storytime followed by exploratory play! Learn about different ways to practice fine motor skills in the garden with your little one. Stations will be set up to practice planting seeds, digging, watering, and more....

Ages: Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

K-5 STEAM TEAM: Seed Bombs

Wednesday, May 03, 2023 • 4:30pm - 5:00pm

East Regional Library (East Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Celebrate the Seed Library's 10th Anniversary by creating seed bombs and learning about the seed library. Take your seed bombs with you to plant in the ground. Visit the seed library afterwards, and gather some free seed packets for...

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten

Registration required

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Get in touch!

STEAM Services librarian Jess

Jess

Jess grew up in Durham, exploring and photographing downtown and in the surrounding woods and countryside. Prior to becoming a librarian, they ran a farm with their partner and maintained another business supporting small businesses and social justice nonprofits with website creation and coaching. As the STEAM Services Librarian, they strive to foster equitable, inclusive, and accessible spaces for both plugged and unplugged creativity, innovation, and fun. Jess also loves plants, baseball, astrology, zines, comics, and the Fast and the Furious Saga.

More about Jess >

Pronouns: they/them