Good Ground Seed Library 

Establishing a seed library is an important step to develop a network of community-based seed savers who create locally adapted plant varieties. Doing this increasing biodiversity and mitigates the loss of plant gene integrity due to the genetic engineering of commercially produced seeds and plants. 

Good Ground Seed Library was unveiled to the community in March 2017. It is located in the adult reference section at the Hampton Bays Public Library. Seeds are organized in a vintage card catalog in alphabetically order and grouped as “Vegetable,” “Herb,” “Flower,” “Native,” and “Other.” 

The seed library is restocked the beginning of each growing season (February/March) and maintained until the Fall.  

We are grateful for the generous support from High Mowing Organic Seeds, Sow Right Seeds, Hudson Valley Seed Company, Fedco Seed, Johnny Selected Seeds, Seed Saves Exchange and community volunteers who saved seeds from their home garden and our own Good Ground Heritage Garden! 

How the Seed Library Works 

Borrow 

Anyone from the community is welcome to take 5 packets of seeds per month to grow in their home garden. There is no fee but donations are appreciated. 

Each envelope contains seeds and provides the plant variety name and directions. For additional information, refer to the envelop in front of each variety. Please take a picture and leave the actual envelop for others to reference as well.  

Be mindful and only take what you can plant this season. 

Plant 
Plant the seeds in your garden. Seed starting calendars are available at the seed library or follow this link, Plant Planner. 

Enjoy your flowers, vegetables and/or herbs. 

Save & Return 
Seed saving is encouraged but not required. Gather seeds from your best growing plants to share with others next season! 
 
Seed donations are accepted year-round and can be dropped off at the Seed Library. Please refer to the section below for Seed Saving Requirements & Tips. 

Requirements for Seed Saving 

No Hybrid Varieties, or chemically treated seeds will be accepted- only heirloom / open pollinated seeds may be donated. 

Fill out the provided seed donation envelop, available at the Seed Library and place in “Donations (seeds),” located in the bottom right draws of the Seed Library. 

For seed saving tips and tricks, check out this article from Sow Right Seeds, How to Save Seeds from Your Favorite Flowers, Herbs, and Vegetables. 



📰 In the News! Article from the Southampton Press: ECI Will Bring Seed Library to Hampton Bays