Sowing Seeds of Resilience

Then and Now

Before the pandemic, the Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library proudly offered a 100% locally grown seed collection. But when our library was unexpectedly locked down during COVID, we pivoted—purchasing seeds from like-minded companies to keep our community growing. That first year, instead of our usual jar system, we individually packed 20,000 seed packets with the help of 60 incredible volunteers and made them available through 13 little seed libraries in Richmond.

Today, most of those seeds have sprouted in backyard beds like yours. But a few of those pandemic-era seeds still remain— are still viable.

Did you know seeds have different lifespans? For example, pumpkin and squash seeds can remain viable for up to 7 years, while leeks and onions typically last just 2. Not sure if your seeds will still sprout? Click below to check out the seed viability handout to assess your collection!

As the demand for seeds continues to rise—fueled by high grocery costs, climate concerns, and a collective desire for resilience—now’s the perfect time to dig in. Let’s meet this moment together by saving and sharing seeds.

Whether you’ve got something thriving in your garden already or want to participate in our Maxima squash grow-out, there’s a place for you in this movement. Together, we’ll grow delicious food, harvest genetically diverse seeds, and share them through local seed libraries next season.

Local Seeds! Cohort

The Seed Library Network is hosting an online Local Seeds! Cohort where people can read and discuss work about how to adapt our seeds to a rapidly changing climate. We plan on having three meetings and will determine a time that works best based on registrants. Sign up to be part of the cohort!

Plant Now

Events 📅

Please join us for an inspiring and joyful day of networking, connecting, sharing, and action-making at the Co-Creating A Thriving Future for the Bay Area: An unConference. Details and tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/thriving-future-for-the-bay-area.