Lane Seed Library

The Lane Seed Library was introduced at the Hamilton branch in September of 2018 with a mission to connect local gardeners by fostering seed sharing while providing informational resources on seed saving and other gardening topics. In March of 2021, the Lane Seed Library extended to the Oxford branch. The Fairfield branch will launch their seed library in March 2022. The Lane Seed Library continues to grow today through the donations of both organizations and individuals. It offers the opportunity for anyone to be able to grow a garden.

Choosing & Borrowing Seeds

Step 1: Visit the Hamilton, Fairfield & Oxford Lane Libraries locations to get a seed borrowing form or print one off by clicking below.

Hamilton Seed Borrowing Form

Fairfield Seed Borrowing Form – coming soon

Oxford Seed Borrowing Form

Step 2: Complete the form, choosing no more than 5 seed packets in one visit or 15 seed packets per growing season. Seeds are organized by plant families.

Step 3: Return the completed form to a staff member at the Hamilton or Oxford Lane Library to get seeds and start growing.

Grow Some, Give Some

Step 1: Grow your seeds!

Step 2: Save seeds from the plants in your garden. Need help? See resources below on seed saving.

Step 3: Return seeds to the library. Seeds must be dry, packaged in a zip lock bag or paper envelope, and labeled with plant variety and year harvested. Please also include your name and either phone number or email address with your donation. Full or partial seed packets can also be donated.

The Lane Seed Library includes heirloom and open-pollinated seeds only. Hybrid, genetically modified or genetically engineered seeds cannot be safely distributed.

In response to COVID-19, the Lane Seed Library must remain locked. Staff members are available to assist anyone with borrowing seeds.

Growing Guides

Goosefoot Family

Beet, Chard, Spinach

Chard – Orange

Beet – Ruby Queen

Beet – Bull’s Blood

Spinach – Bloomsdale Long Standing

Swiss Chard – Mixed Colors/Rainbow Blend

Swiss Chard – Large Ribbed Dark Green

Beet – Detroit Dark Red

Spinach – Round Leaf (Asian)

Gourd Family

Cucumber, Melon, Pumpkin, Squash, Watermelon, Zucchini

Gourd – Birdhouse

Cucumber – Spacemaster Bush

Squash – Acorn

Pumpkin – Jack Be Little

Watermelon – Sugar Baby

Zucchini – Black Beauty

Cucumber – Marketmore 76

Squash – Vegetable Spaghetti

Pumpkin – Jack O’ Lantern

Cantaloupe – Hales Best

Squash – Dark Green Zucchini

Watermelon – Charleston Gray

Watermelon – Petite Yellow

Pumpkin – Big Max

Squash – Cocozelle

Squash – Waltham Butternut Winter

Squash – Yellow Crookneck Summer

Cucumber – White Spine

Squash – Delicata Winter

Cantaloupe – Minnesota Midget

Watermelon – Allsweet

Watermelon – Garden Leader Monster

Pumpkin – Fall Rainbow Blend

Zucchini – Grey

Pumpkin – New England Pie

Cucumber – Straight Eight

Summer Squash – Burpee’s Golden Zucchini Heirloom

Grass Family

Corn, Grain

Common – Buckwheat

Cat Grass

Lily Family

Chive, Garlic, Leek, Onion

Bellwort

Onion – Red Burgundy

Asparagus – Mary Washington

Garlic – Chives

Onion – Evergreen Bunching

Chives

Onion – White Lisbon Bunching

Mallow Family

Okra – Emerald

Okra – Louisiana Green Velvet

Okra – Clemson Spineless

Mint Family

Basil, Horehound, Lavender, Lemonbalm, Marjoram, Oregano, Peppermint, Sage, Spearmint, Savory, Thyme

Oregano

Catnip

Wild – Bergamot (Bee Balm)

Basil – Spicy Globe Bush Heirloom

Thyme – Common

Horehound

Peppermint

Sage, Broad-Leaved

Basil – Sweet

Spearmint

Rue – Early Meadow

Marjoram – Sweet

Summer Savory

Rosemary

Mustard Family

Broccoli Raab, Cabbage, Kale, Kohlrabi, Radish, Mesclun

Cabbage – Red Express

Broccoli Raab – Spring

Georgia Collards

Arugula – Astro

Radish

Radish – Black Spanish

Bok Choy – Toy Choy

Broccoli – Green Sprouting Calabrese

Kale – Vates

Broccoli – De Cicco

Radish – French Breakfast

Radish – Gourmet Blend

Mustard – Red Giant

Radish – White Icicle

Dames Rocket – Violet

Kale – Red Russian
Organic

Kohlrabi – Lech

Mustard – India Florida BroadLeaf

Greens – Yukina Savoy Asian

Radish – Watermelon

Kale- Lacinato Heirloom

Brussel Sprouts – Catskill

Cauliflower – Snowball X

Radish – Chinese White Winter

Nightshade Family

Eggplant, Pepper, Tomato

Tomato-Burgess Climbing Trip L Crop

Tomato – Yellow Pear

Tomato – Gold Nugget Mini

Pepper – Hot, Mixed Variety

Pepper – Lively Italian Orange

Pepper – California Wonder

Pepper – Jalapeno Gigantia

Pepper – Sweet Cherry, Hot

Pepper – Early Jalapeno, Hot Organic

Tomato – Large Red Cherry

Pepper – Jupiter, Sweet

Tomatillo – Green

Tomato – Hybrid Early Salad

Tomato – Roma

Tomato – Abe Lincoln

Tomato – Small Fruited Red Pear

Pepper – Golden California Wonder

Pepper – Poblano

Pepper – Early Jalapeno Hot

Pepper – Anaheim Chili, Hot

Tomato – Beefsteak, Organic

Pepper – Long Thin Cayenne, Hot

Pepper – Chocolate Beauty

Eggplant – Black Moon Hybrid

Tomato – Cherokee Purple

Eggplant – Belleza Negra

Pepper – Grand Bell, Mixed Colors

Tomato – Green Zebra

Pepper – Big Red

Pepper – Dragon Cayenne

Tomato – Matt’s Wild Cherry

Pepper – Craig’s Grande Jalapeno

Pepper – Sweet, Mixed Color Variety

Pepper – Jalapeno, Mild

Pepper – Banana, Sweet

Ornamentals & Succulents

Bellflower – Tall

Parsley Family

Anise, Carrots, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Greens, Parsley

Fennel – Sweet

Dill

Carrot – Red Cored Chantenay

Carrot – Yellowstone

Carrot – Scarlet Nantes

Carrots – Rainbow Mix

Anise

Coriander/Cilantro

Carrot – Tendersweet

Celery – Tango

Dill – Mammoth

Queen Anne’s Lace

Parsley – Paramont

Carrot – Long Imperator #58

Carrot – Mezza Lunga Nantese

Carrot – Parisian

Pea Family

Bean, Pea, Trefoil

Bean – Pinto

Bean – Quincy Pinto

Bean – Henderson’s Baby Lima

Cowpea – Pinkeye Purple Hull

Bean – Fordhook Lima

Bean – Gold Rush Bush

Bean – Black Turtle (bush type)

Pea – Early Perfection

Bean – Asparagus aka Yardlong

Pea – Cascadia Snap

Bean – Tenderette Bush

Bean – Tendergreen Improved
Heirloom

Sunflower Family

Flowers, Lettuce

Morning Glory – Heavenly Blue

Morning Glory – Pink, Purple, White

Sweet William

Valerian

Cleome

Coreopsis – Sunkiss

Lettuce – Red Planet Salad Blend

Black-eyed Susan

Lettuce – Prizehead

Sunflower – Evening Colors

Pimpernel – Yellow

Milkweed – Rose

Marigold – French

Lettuce – Salad Bowl Green

Verbena Bonariensis

Morning Glory – Purple

Forget-Me-Not – Chinese

Columbine – Nora Barlow (Pink)

Geranium – Hardy

Convolvulus – Blue Enchantment

Blackberry Lily

Lettuce – Parris Island Romaine

Sunflower

Moonflower

Milkweed – Common

Marigold – Orange

Artichoke – Green Globe

Morning Glory

Larkspur – Blue

Columbine

Coneflower

Zinnias – Red

Lettuce – Tropicana Leaf

Lettuce – Black Seeded Simpson

Lettuce – Lollo Rossa

Sunflower – Early

Milkweed – Prairie

Marigold – Bright Yellow

Helichrysum

Lettuce – Yankee Hardy Blend

Recommended Uniform State Seed Law (RUSSL) from the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO)

“Seeds being distributed may not meet germination or varietal purity standards prescribed by the state seed law. Patented seed or varieties protected by the Plant Variety Protection Act will not be accepted or distributed without permission of the certificate holder.”

For additional information on the Lane Seed Library, visit the Hamilton Lane Library or contact Tess Catlin at t.catlin@lanepl.org.