Arms Library Seed Exchange

Donating Seeds

1) Make sure that the seeds you are saving are from an open pollinated variety (not hybrid).

2) Save seed at the right time to ensure viability.

3) Clean your seed so that it is as free from other plant materials as possible. Various size screens can be purchased from the hardware store or many household items can be used such as sieves and colanders to help with that process. Whatever works.

4) Test germination to ensure seed viability if you want to go the extra mile. We all know the feeling of planting seeds only to have none of them germinate. Testing germination is simple. Moisten a paper towel and place a few seeds on one half. Fold the paper towel over the seeds and place in an unsealed ziplock bag. Check the seeds every couple of days. Notate the percent of seeds that germinate. If you test ten seeds it is easy to calculate percentage. If 8 of 10 seeds geminate you have an 80% germination rate.

5) Make sure to write down as much relevant information as possible, most importantly the plant type, variety, color, and date collected. This should be sufficient to allow someone to look up other details online. If seed is from flowers it can be helpful to include both the latin and common names. If seed is from a commercial packet and not from saved seed include the date listed on the package. If you have the time to divide your seed into multiple envelopes with seed quantities that seem reasonable it would be appreciated but is not required.

Example:

Plant type:	Tomato
Plant variety:	Brandywine
Origin (company):	Bakers Creek
Saved seed date	Sept 2023
Saved Seed Location:	Shelburne Falls
Saved By (optional)	Jane Doe
Days to Harvest:	85 days
Color:	Pink
Germination date and %	Sept 2023-80%
Other:	indeterminate, fruit 14-16 oz

6) Leave your seeds in the donation basket.

Taking Seeds

Only take what you will use. Most of us do not need 25 seeds of one tomato or pepper variety. Please split the packages. Enjoy a few varieties and leave for others. The seed exchange is not intended to be your primary source of seeds. You are not required to save seeds in order to take seeds, but please consider saving seeds for next year.

1) Determine how many seeds you want from the packet you choose. Some packets may contain the amount you plan to use and can be taken whole. Others such as peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants often come with a minimum of 25 seeds and are far more seeds than one person needs of a single variety.

2) Take a blank envelope and write down relevant information from the seed packet you wish to take.

3) Carefully open seed packet. Use a scissors if necessary and try to preserve as much of the packet information as possible. Use a piece of paper under the packet in case of spillage and remove however many seeds you wish to take and place in an envelope.

4) Re-tape the seed packet and return it to the seed drawer in the appropriate location. Please do not return empty packets or packets with only a couple of seeds left. 5) Consider saving some seeds to donate to the seed library.

Arms Library Seed Exchange

Happy Gardening!