Local seed libraries play growing role in future of crops

Check it out: Seed libraries are sprouting all over Southern California.
The intent is to promote gardening and “plant-it-forward” by preserving seeds either native to Southern California or those adapted to its environment.
One of the newest is the San Bernardino County Regional Seed Library at the Chino Basin Water Conservation District in Montclair. Here, visitors learn how to obtain seeds for flowers, fruits, vegetables and more. A key component is returning seeds, so the process continues to expand and grow.
“We’re interested in germination quality, yield and any other information that helps with categorizing the seeds,” said Dona Jenkins of the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of San Bernardino County. “Any and all seeds are welcome, but we are focusing on edible ones and those from pollinator plants.
“This is exciting, but not new. It’s what people used to do and is important today because we have lost 94 percent of our diversity with seeds.”
Climate and environmental changes throughout the years affect gardens and seed production, she added. “There are such climate extremes these days, that it’s important to save and use seeds that have adjusted and adapted to their local surroundings. And for us, it’s also beneficial to have seeds from the location area of a seed library.”
San Bernardino County is the largest county in the nation, with wide variations in climate, soil and planting conditions. The goal is to have other seed libraries established one day in different parts of the county that cater to each environment — valleys, mountains and deserts.
Keeping local gardens and their owners happy and healthy is an integral part of work down at the Chino Basin Water Conservation District.
“Residents already know our water conservation center as a regional hub for education and inspiration about sustainable, low-water landscapes and gardens,” said Scott Kleinrock, manager of the conservation programs. “We focus on home gardening adapted to our region. We want people to have whatever they want and to do it efficiently with plenty of choices. It’s great to work with the master gardeners, who have the huge overlap with that mission.”
So having the seed library on-site is a natural fit. The San Bernardino County Regional Seed Library, located within the Landscape Design Room at the water district’s center, is a collaborative effort between master gardeners and the district.
It joins a growing list of similar depositories throughout Southern California. The granddaddy of them all — the Seed Library of Los Angeles ­— has been operating since 2010. Home gardeners learn how to sow and save what they reap there and at similar seed depositories, such as ones at the Yorba Linda and Huntington Beach public libraries.
David King, founding chairman of the Seed Library of Los Angeles, said the process is simple but requires two characteristics that aren’t always in large supply — a keen sense of observation and patience.
“Each library will save more seeds than us. If everyone saves a few, that’s an ideal to having this whole thing work,” he said. “We’ve helped other libraries get started and the more there are the better.”
But, he added, there is a distinction. “Some people think SLOLA and seed libraries are places to get free seeds, but what we really want is for people to bring their seeds back. If the process is done correctly, there will be ample seed selections every year and the best fruits and vegetables from each plant that have adapted to our climate.”
Seed Library of Los Angeles deals exclusively with non-hybrid food plants. The library also is meant to be a resource to promote local reproducible food plants. Lifetime membership is $10.
Patrons have flocked to the Yorba Linda Public Library seed library, averaging about 150 seed packets a month, said Julie Zeoli, adult services manager. It was established a few years ago with help from a state grant. The popular seed section is one of many programs that continue to attract public library visitors.
“The idea is to learn how to save them and return them after the point of harvest in order to keep repopulating local gardens. It supports a community of gardeners and seed savers,” Zeoli said. “I think people want to be healthier and maintain a sustainable lifestyle.
“We see parents coming in with their children and hopefully they can experiment and acquire a lifelong learning skill. The seed library is just one more learning service we offer to the meet the growing needs of the community.”
Yorba Linda Public Library’s seed depository encourages those new to gardening to start with “easy” ones such as beans, eggplant, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes. Even better, it prefers plants organically grown. Save only from healthy plants. Save from a number of plants to ensure genetic diversity. And label seed deposits with as much information as possible.
The scope and scale of each seed library may differ, but the goals are the same. The process encourages biodiversity, promotes regionally appropriate seeds and helps residents save money on seeds.
After each growing season ends, seed library patrons are asked to harvest extra seeds and return them. It’s pretty simple but very important.
What kinds of seeds are these libraries looking for? Edible plant seeds, seeds from pollinator plants, “native” seeds as opposed to “wild” seeds secured from someone’s yard and any that capture one’s eye (no marijuana seeds, though).
Put dry seeds in a sealed envelope and return.

Check out these seed libraries

San Bernardino County
Regional Seed Library
When: Check-out hours 1-3 p.m.
Saturdays; check-in hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.
Classes: DIY seed bombs and seed paper, noon-2 p.m. today; saving your best
tomato seeds, noon-1 p.m. June 24
Where: Chino Basin Water Conservation District, 4594 San Bernardino St., Montclair
Cost: Free
Information: 909-626-2711, cbwcd.org

Seed Library of Los Angeles
What: Monthly classes, discussions and how-to videos while promoting home and community sharing.
When: 2-4:30 p.m. May 20
Where: The Learning Garden, Venice High School, 13000 Venice Blvd., Venice
Admission: $10 lifetime membership
Information: slola.org

OTHER Resources
Heirloom Seed Library, Long Beach: seedlibrary.lbgrows.org
Huntington Beach Public Library seed library: hbpl.libguides.com/seedlibrary
The Seed Library of Orange: orangehomegrown.org
Yorba Linda Public Library: ylpl.org