Seed Library

The Squamish Seed Library is a collection of vegetable, flower, and herb seeds for community members like you to use. If you grow the seeds you take, you can choose to return seeds to the Library for others to plant next year!  

Created by the Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN), the Seed Library is a self-service resource that includes all the information you need to get started. Find it across from the front desk, next to the board games section.

Why a Seed Library?  

Currently, large seed producers often only sell seeds from one grower that are adapted to one area. By contrast, sharing seeds between many growers in a community allows these seeds to better adapt to their local climate. Over time, this lets us cultivate homegrown plant varieties that grow well where we live.  

The Seed Library hopes to empower a community of seed savers to share knowledge while supporting biodiversity in our food system. Together, growers can improve local seed sovereignty, and in the event of major global climate change, even swap seeds adapted to other climates. Diversity means resilience! 

How to use the Seed Library

For an optional annual donation of $5, anyone can become a member. A membership to the Seed Library grants you unlimited access to any of the seeds we have available. 

Taking seeds 

• Please take 2-3 seeds for every plant you intend to grow this season. Example: if you would like to grow 3 tomato plants this year, take 6 to 9 seeds. For super small seeds, take a pinch. 
• Squamish CAN provides envelopes for you to take your seeds home. Label your envelope with as much info as you can about the seed, so that if you bring seeds back, you can pass that info on to the next grower. 

Returning seeds 

Although returning seeds is not required, we hope that you grow the seeds you take from the Library, let those plants go to seed, and return some seeds to the Library for others to plant next year. 

• Returned seeds must be “true” and not crossed with another variety of plant in the same species. Label your seeds well and return your package to the designated box at the Seed Library.  
• Find full information about returning seeds on the Squamish CAN website, or by visiting the Seed Library in-person.