Markham Grows Seed Library FAQs
What is a seed library?
A seed library is exactly what it sounds like – a library of seeds. Seed library members borrow
seeds at no charge, and are then expected to save seeds from the plants they grow and to
return some of those seeds to the library at the end of the growing season. By returning seeds
from successful plants, members ensure the sustainability of the library, as well as help in
cultivating seeds that are especially suited to our community’s growing conditions.
The Markham Grows Seed Library’s focus is on supporting urban agriculture – giving people the
opportunity to grow their own healthy, affordable food. We provide free access to a variety of
seeds chosen to work well in our local climate.
This initiative supports the Greenprint, Markham’s sustainability plan. For more information please visit:
http://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/Markham/MunicipalGovernment/MayorAndCouncil/Strat
egicPriorities/MarkhamSustainability
Do I have to return seeds?
The Markham Grows Seed Library encourages you to try your best to save your seeds and
return some to the library. However, a number of growing conditions may impact your ability to
save and return your seeds. If you are unable to save seeds, it would be helpful to us to hear
why and we will factor this into the seeds that are provided in the future.
a) If so, how do I properly save seeds after harvest?
The Markham Grows Seed Library will provide instructions on how to save seeds. The
methods for saving seeds will depend on the variety of plant. Some seeds are quite easy to
save. In these seeds there is little risk of cross pollination, so when you plant seeds next
year you’ll get the same fruits or vegetables that you got last year. These seeds also require
fewer steps to successfully save seeds. Some seeds, like those in the squash and pumpkin
family require a bit more work to successfully save. These seeds easily cross pollinate and
therefore are required to be a certain distance apart and may need to be hand pollinated.
b) When do they need to be returned?
The seeds may be returned at any time that you have completed the seed saving process.
The Markham Grows Seed Library can store the seeds in the fall and have them available
again next spring. You can return the seeds in any package as long as it is clearly labelled
and a Markham Grows Seed Library volunteer will repackage the seeds for the library.
Do I have to bring back the same type of seeds I check out?
Ideally, yes you will bring back the same type of seeds that you checked out. However, many
factors may affect whether the seeds you checked out will grow and produce seeds. Also, if you
have checked out seeds that are more difficult to save seeds from and did not follow all of the
instructions on how to save seeds, it is best that you do not bring those seeds back to the
library because they may have cross pollinated and not produce a plant with the same traits
next year.
You are welcome to bring back seeds from additional varieties, as long as they are heirloom and
correctly saved.
What if I am unable to return seeds?
The Markham Grows Seed Library is a pilot project. That means that we are trying this out for
the first time to see how it works. We understand that seeds are not a typical library checkout
item and a lot of things can impact whether your seeds grow into plants or are able to live long
enough to grow seeds. If you plant the seeds and they do not grow or do not produce seeds, we
would like to hear from you to let us know what happened. That can help us make the program
better for next year.
If you are unable to return the seeds, we would like to know why so that we are able to
improve the seeds and information that are provided for next year. Did the seeds simply not
grow? Was there a pest that caused a lot of damage? Did the plant grow but never produce
seeds? We will ask you to complete a short survey to explain what happened as best you can. If
you complete the survey, you will still be able to borrow seeds in future seasons and all your
responses will be kept confidential to be used by program staff only.
Can I donate my own seeds?
Yes, you can donate your own seeds. You will need to make sure you are saving seeds from an
heirloom variety of plant, rather than a hybrid plant. While hybrid plants may produce well in
the first season, they are not able to reproduce the same results the following year (see below).
Follow the instructions for seed saving that are available through this program, resources
available at the library, or from the internet. When the seeds are ready, you can bring them
into the library anytime and fill in a form that identifies the variety of seed and any tips you
have on growing it successfully. Volunteers with the Markham Grows Seed Library will take care
of packing and labelling the seeds so they are ready to be checked out in the spring.
What seeds do you have?
A complete list of seeds is available in the library, in a binder located next to the seeds. This
catalogue is also available on the library website. For the pilot year we will keep a paper
catalogue and in the future will consider an online catalogue.
What is the difference between heirloom seeds and regular seeds?
When you shop at a typical grocery store, you may notice that there are only a few types of
each kind of vegetable available. These are the handful of types that are used in modern, larger
scale agriculture that do well in grocery stores. However, there are many different types of
each kind of vegetable that are becoming increasingly rare as a few popular kinds have taken
over. For example, not all carrots are orange; they can be red, purple, or yellow.
Heirloom seeds are from plants that are now rare or unique and have a long history of being
grown. They have been nurtured, selected, and handed down from one family member to
another for many generations. Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated. That means that the seeds
are stable varieties and not hybrids of two varieties of plants. Heirlooms seeds are also not
genetically modified in any way.
Are the seeds at the Markham Grows Seed Library all organic?
The seeds provided at the start of the Markham Grows Seed Library were purchased from a
vendor that is certified organic by an independent certifier Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd.
The Markham Grows Seed Library encourages that those donating seeds practice organic
growing methods and to be honest when providing information on their seed donations.
However, there is no guarantee that the seeds donated by community members are organic.
However, as long as you use organic growing methods, your vegetables will be essentially
organic, just unable to be certified by an independent certifier until you have been growing
them organically for a minimum of 3 years.
I can’t find the kind of seed I’m looking for. What do I do?
The Markham Grows Seed Library is a pilot project for 2013 and started with a limited supply of
seeds to get started. Some varieties were specifically left out because by the time the pilot
started it was too late for them to grow, like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and okra. If there is
something that you would like to see next year, let us know. Or, if you choose to purchase
heirloom seeds instead this year, you can choose to save them and donate some to the library
to help us grow next year. Here is a great listing from Seeds of Diversity for where you can find
heirloom seeds: http://www.seeds.ca/rl/rl.php
How many seeds can I check out?
There is no limit to the number of seeds you can take out. Please be responsible in your
borrowing; only borrow seeds you intend to plant, grow and save/return, and be conscious of
the fact that you are now part of a community of gardeners.
Are there other seed libraries around town?
The Markham Grows Seed Library is the first of its kind in Markham (that we know of!). While
seed libraries have been around in some other communities around the world for some time,
there has been a recent burst of activity, and a number of nearby communities are in the
process or have already started seed libraries. Among these are the Toronto Seed Library, the
Grimsby Seed Library, the Canadian Seed Library, and the Vaughan Seed Library.
If you’re interested in learning more about the seed libraries of the world, check out “the seed library
social network” at www.seedlibraries.org.
Can I search for seeds in the Markham Public Library catalogue?
No. The Markham Grows Seed Library is located inside Markham Public Library’s Milliken Mills
Branch, but it is not a part of the Markham Public Library collection. As such, you won’t be able
to search for seeds in the MPL catalogue, or place holds on seeds as you would traditional
library materials. We do, however, have a seed catalogue available both in branch and on the
MPL website.
Can I place holds on seeds and have them transferred to other library branches?
No. The Markham Grows Seed Library is located inside Markham Public Library’s Milliken Mills
Branch, but it is not a part of the Markham Public Library collection. As such, you won’t be able
to search for seeds in the MPL catalogue, or place holds on seeds as you would traditional
library materials. We do, however, have a seed catalogue available both in branch and on the
MPL website.
How is the seed library funded?
The Markham Grows Seed Library is a partnership between the City of Markham’s Sustainability
Office and the Markham Public Library. They have put forward the initial funds to kick-start the
seed library, but the sustainability of the library depends on its members! By returning saved
seeds (and donating other seeds), members help the library to continue supplying the public
with access to free seeds.
Is the seed library free for the public?
Yes. All you need to register for the seed library is a Markham Public Library card.
Are seeds available year round? If not, how long is the access to the resources?
The seed library will have materials available year round, though not all seeds can be planted
year round. More information about when to plant various seeds can be found in our seed
library catalogue.
Will there be supporting information for the seed library?
The Markham Grows Seed Library provides access to information to support our gardeners in
growing their own food. As well as information sheets on basic gardening and seed saving, the
library will be hosting a series of workshops of interest to gardeners throughout the spring,
summer and fall. Markham Public Library also has a wide variety of resources that will be of
interest to gardeners, and select resources will be displayed alongside the seeds.
Who do I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact the Milliken Mills Library information desk at 905-5137977 ext. 5336 or email [email protected].
How can I get involved?
If you’re interested in being involved with the Markham Grows Seed Library, please contact
[email protected]. You are also welcome to donate your own seeds at any time (please see
the answer to the question “Can I donate my own seeds?” for more details).