Digging Durham Seed Library

Did you know that you can check out seeds at the library? The Digging Durham Seed Library offers vegetable, herb, and flower seeds that you can take home and plant. You can take seed packets each season, and if you grow seeds, you can donate them for others to check out. By providing both a repository for seeds and training for the folks who plant them, the seed library helps to improve local sustainable food sources, enhance food security, develop local biodiversity, and boost Durham’s foodie culture.

The Digging Durham Seed Library is sponsored by the Durham Library Foundation.

How it works

Seeds are available at these Durham County Library locations while supplies last:

You will find seeds at each location along with a brochure with resources on how to plant and care for them. The seed libraries are typically stocked mid-February through October. Different types of seeds are available throughout the growing season – available seeds may include vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Seeds are available first-come, first-served while supplies last.

You are welcome to take four seed packets per season. You don’t need a library card to use the seed library.

Get involved

Donating seeds is a great way to get involved with this unique project. If you grow open pollinated seeds, please save some from your harvest and bring them back to the library! This will help the Digging Durham Seed Library continue to grow and to develop seeds well-adapted for Durham’s soil and climate.

We accept donated seeds throughout the year at every location. To donate, place the seeds in an envelope with your name and contact info, as well as the history of the seeds, including how they are linked to your family, house, or farm, and the plants they produced.

While we appreciate all donations, the seed library is especially focused on open pollinated and/or heirloom flower and vegetable seeds well-suited for Durham’s climate. You may also donate already opened seed packets if they have been stored in a cool, dry environment and are less than two years old.

If you want to help out more with the seed library, you can volunteer with tasks like sorting and packing seeds. Keep an eye on our events calendar for upcoming sorting sessions, or get in touch for more info.

Growing Resources

Stay connected

Sign up for the Digging Durham Seed Library newsletter!

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Upcoming gardening events

Native Plant Swap @ Southwest

Saturday, April 05, 2025 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd) (Southwest Meeting Room)

Southwest Regional Library will be hosting a Native Plant Swap in celebration of Library Fest 2025: The North Carolina Edition. While we are focusing on plants native to North Carolina, please feel free to bring any perennials, saplings, shrubs,...

Ages: Adult, Elementary School, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Middle School, Pre-School, Senior Citizen, Teen, Toddler, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds

Native Plant Swap

Tuesday, April 08, 2025 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Stanford L. Warren Branch Library (1201 Fayetteville St) (SLW Meeting Room - Side 1)

Stop by at Stanford L. Warren Branch to swap some plants! Anyone is free to come!...

Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Senior Citizen, Teen

Family Crafternoon: Flower Pot Decorating & Planting

Tuesday, April 08, 2025 • 5:30pm - 6:00pm

East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane) (East Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Do you have a green thumb?  Join us as we decorate flower pots and plant seeds to watch grow into a beautiful sight to behold.

Ages: Elementary School, Intergenerational, Middle School, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds

Registration full.

All Things Native Plants: A Presentation and Swap

Wednesday, April 09, 2025 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm

North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd) (North Meeting Room - Full Room)

Come hear from Master Gardener Jeanne Arnts about native plants and their importance in the ecosystem. Join us after the talk for a plant swap! Bring your perennials, saplings, shrubs, bulbs, houseplant cuttings, and seeds to swap and share with...

Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, Senior Citizen

Growing Little Gardeners (Ages 2-5)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 • 10:30am - 11:30am

Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd) (Southwest Regional - Outdoor Space)

Join us for an outdoor storytime followed by exploratory play! Learn about different ways to practice fine motor skills in the garden with your little one. Stations will be set up to practice planting seeds, digging, watering, and more....

Ages: Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Registration required

Garden Club for Kids @ Southwest

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 • 3:30pm - 4:15pm

Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd) (Southwest Regional - Outdoor Space)

Do you love gardening, nature, and being outside? Children ages 7-12 are invited to join Southwest's Garden Club. Once a month, we'll get together in Southwest's backyard garden to talk about gardening, plant things, and work on garden...

Ages: Elementary School, Middle School, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds

Registration required

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