Seed Library & Seedy Sunday | Squamish CAN Climate Action Network

Squamish Seed Library and Seedy Saturday

Nina LaFlamme photography

About the Squamish Seed Library

The Seed Library launched March 12, 2017. We have a collection of donated vegetable, flower, and herb seeds for community members to take. Consider making a small annual donation to become and remain a member of, and use, the seed library. You don’t need to return seeds in order to take seeds, but 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.

Thank you to our initial seed donors: Salt Spring Seeds, West Coast Seeds, Dragonfly Seeds and Victoria Seed Library.

Why have a Seed Library?

It enables us to collectively adapt seeds to our Squamish climate, so we will have homegrown varieties that grow well where we live. In the event that our global climate changes substantially, we hope that different communities can swap seeds that are adapted to growing well in different climates. Diversity means resilience!

Currently, large seeds producers often only sell seeds from one grower that are adapted to one area. Read more here. Seed saving is economical, fun, and empowering! At the same time, we hope to foster a community of seed savers and growers, share knowledge, and have fun doing it!

History of the Squamish CAN Seed Library

In the summer of 2016, a group of enthusiastic community members have come together to increase Squamish’s seed sovereignty in two ways: start a Seed Library in Squamish, and host a Seedy Saturday. The first Seedy Saturday was a resounding success, and the Seed Library continues to take new memberships at the Squamish Public Library.

Bringing a Seed Library to Squamish: Linda, Michi and Daniel.

Join the Squamish Seed Savers

Are you interested in collectively adapting seeds to our region to support biodiversity in our food system and community resilience?

If the answer is yes but you don't quite know where to start or feel like you don't have enough knowledge to do it, I am here to help! (If you are an avid seed saver already, please join us so we can plan community grow outs!)

Squamish Seed Savers is about empowering you to save seeds for yourself and share with the community seed library, friends and neighbours (no individual grower ever needs thousands of lettuce seeds collected from a few plants, for example).

It is more achievable for a small group of people, than someone on their own, to grow the proper plant population size with proper isolation distances, to preserve genetic diversity and a certain level of purity.

Seed Library Manager

Marie-ève Boutin

Marie-eve@squamishcan.net

Contact Seed Library Manager, Marie-ève to get started. There is no commitment or pressure to return seeds, it is about teaching you how to begin this amazing seed saving journey so that you can eventually contribute to growing a resilient local seed stock for our area.

Nina LaFlamme photography

Seedy Saturday 2024

Join us to Learn about Seeds, the Squamish Seed Library, Exchange or Buy Seeds and Meet Relevant Local Organizations.

Fun for all Ages
Master Gardener (Bring your Questions!)
Snacks & Coffee (Think Zero Waste - Bring Your Mug!)
Door prizes!

March 2nd 2024
9h00am to 12h30pm
Brennan Park | 1009 Centennial Way

No registration required - Full event details here

How does the Seed Library work?

Where is the Seed Library located?

The Seed Library is hosted at the Squamish Public Library, across from the Library check out desk.

How do I 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. We ask that you only 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.

We provide envelopes for you to take your seeds home. Label your envelope with as much info as you can about the seed: the seed company or who grew them, year, variety, Latin name, days to maturity, any growing notes, etc., so that if you bring seeds back, you can pass on that info to the next grower.

How is the library organized?

The varieties are divided in 18 groups, you will see them written on the drawers and on the baskets inside the drawers.

The “Easy”, “Moderate”, and “Advanced” labels on each family indicate how easy it is to get true seed from the plants, not how easy the plant is to grow. Getting true seed means that the parent plant has not crossed with another variety, and the offspring plants will grow into the same plant as the parent. More info on that below.

How do I return seeds I’ve grown?

First, ensure your seeds are “true” and have not crossed with another variety of plant in the same species (e.g. beets and chard are the same species, Beta vulgaris, so will cross if they are flowering at the same time within approx 1 kilometre)

Start with the Easy seeds if you are new to seed saving. These varieties are very unlikely to cross with others. The super-easy seeds include beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes and many flowers. Different varieties of these plants can be grown close together without worrying much about crossing. For information on cross-pollination and isolation distances, download this PDF or pick up a copy at the seed library.

Remember to include as much information as possible on your seed return package:

Year, variety, days to maturity, location, grower's name, etc are all important information for future growers of these seeds. Place your returned seed package in the ''Returning Seeds Box'' to help our seed library manager to keep track of the seed stock.

How can I learn more?

Keep an eye out for seed-saving workshops. Follow us on Facebook or sign up for our newsletter for updates. For more Seed Saving information and resources, check out Seeds of Diversity Canada, Salt Spring Seeds, and SeedSavers Exchange.

Join the Seed Library: Become a Seed Library Member

Fill out our Seed Library Membership Form HERE

Once submitted, please consider an$5 annual membership donation, and mention "Seed Library" and your full name in the memo.

Pay online: Squamish CAN Donation
Pay via e-transfer to: squamishcan@gmail.com

Renew your annual Seed Library Membership:

If you are already a member of the Seed Library, please consider renewing your annual Seed Library Membership by submitting a $5 donation, and mention "Seed Library" and your full name in the memo.

Pay online: Squamish CAN Donation
Pay via e-transfer to: squamishcan@gmail.com

If you have any questions, please email our Seed Library Coordinator, Marie-eve at marie-eve@squamishcan.net