Washington State Seed Library Network

Washington State Seed Library Network Seed libraries throughout Washington State are coming together to save seeds and share them into their communities. How does a seed lending library work?

The King County Seed Lending Library is now the
Washington State Seed Library Network! We are a seed lending library based in Seattle and covering surrounding King County, Washington. After sharing seeds for more than a decade, we are undergoing some change! We are now collaborating with Tilth Alliance, which offers greater reach and resources. Stay tuned for a new web presence with information,

education and inspiration for your own seed-saving and -sharing journey! It's like any other library - mostly. We collect seeds of edible plants -- vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. Then, the community can "check out" seeds to plant in their gardens. Once those seeds grow and form new seeds, those seeds are saved. Keep some seeds for yourself for the following year, and return a handful to us to pay it forward! New to gardening or seed saving? Don't worry, we have plenty of resources to get you started. We hold an annual "Seed Swap" each winter where you can bring your seeds to donate, swap or share. We also hold various events throughout the year. Each branch of our library has its own unique approach. We welcome volunteers and inquiries. Join us and help save and share seeds!

Now restocked at the NW Seattle Seed Library branch: warm-season crops like tomato (Italian Oxheart, Roma, Speckled Roma...
04/02/2026

Now restocked at the NW Seattle Seed Library branch: warm-season crops like tomato (Italian Oxheart, Roma, Speckled Roman), pepper (Jalapeno, Jimmy Nardello, others) and eggplant, as well as dozens of types of flowers, including sunflower, poppies, coneflower, sweet peas and this Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella).
The branch is within the PNA Tool Library, see phinneycenter.org for directions and hours.

Our second spring meet and greet is this Thursday! Join us online to meet other seed library aficionados, hear a short l...
03/10/2026

Our second spring meet and greet is this Thursday! Join us online to meet other seed library aficionados, hear a short lesson on creating your garden plan to include your seed saving goals, and take some time to discuss after. We hope to meet you there!

Thursday, March 12 from 7 - 8:30 pm
Zoom links available on registration at the WSSLN page on the Tilth Alliance web site.

Join us for an inaugural virtual meet-up for the Washington State Seed Library Network as we all are preparing our gardens for spring planting. We are offering two dates to choose from: Wednesday, February 25, and Thursday, March 12, from 7-8:30 p.m. The agenda: Introductions all around including up...

Two Meet and Greet events are coming up! Join us online to meet other seed library aficionados, hear a short lesson on c...
02/13/2026

Two Meet and Greet events are coming up! Join us online to meet other seed library aficionados, hear a short lesson on creating your garden plan to include your seed saving goals, and take some time to discuss after. We hope to meet you there!

Wednesday, February 25th from 7 - 8: 30 pm
Thursday, March 12 from 7 - 8:30 pm

Zoom links available on registration at the WSSLN page on the Tilth Alliance web site. Find them here: https://tilthalliance.org/our-work/gardeners/washington-state-seed-library-network/ at the bottom of the page.

Seed libraries throughout Washington State are coming together to save seeds and share them into their communities. The King County Seed Lending Library is now the Washington State Seed Library Network! What is a Seed Library? A seed library is like a book library but with seeds! There are many ways...

Thanks for coming to the Great Seattle Seed Swap yesterday! A special shout-out to the many gardeners who brought seeds,...
02/01/2026

Thanks for coming to the Great Seattle Seed Swap yesterday! A special shout-out to the many gardeners who brought seeds, and to our volunteers who made it happen. Let's keep sharing and growing.

01/27/2026

We're looking for a couple more volunteers for this Saturday's Great Seattle Seed Swap. Two shifts -- setup noon-2 and breakdown 4-5.
If you're able to help, please email coordinator Bill Thorness, [email protected].
Thanks!

01/13/2026

Get inspired and learn a little at the Great Seattle Seed Swap!

Our two short workshops:

2:30 pm: “Seed Collecting and Seed Viability,” Melissa McGinn, Natural Yard Care Project Manager, Tilth Alliance

3:15 pm: “Seed Starting Techniques: Timing Your Sowing,” Bill Thorness, Author, Master Gardener and NW Seattle Seed Library Coordinator

No advance registration needed.

The Great Seattle Seed Swap is a free community event, all are welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/events/33033598472953507/

Seed Swap events are on the horizon in the new year! Have one to publicize? Send us a message here and we will share it....
12/15/2025

Seed Swap events are on the horizon in the new year! Have one to publicize? Send us a message here and we will share it.

Here is one The Garden Hotline will be co-hosting with the South King Tool Library in mid-January. Free to attend - come learn and share with us!

If you have been collecting seed all summer and still have not cleaned them - now is the time to get your dry seed clean...
11/12/2025

If you have been collecting seed all summer and still have not cleaned them - now is the time to get your dry seed cleaned and into containers and labeled for next year. Here are some great tips for getting the seeds separated from the folks at BC Farms and Food - our good neighbors to the north!

Separating seeds from their pods can be time-consuming. Here is a list of simple, low-tech devices for separating seeds from debris and chaff.

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4649 Sunnyside Avenue N Suite 100
Seattle, WA
98103

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