Seed Library

Share with Your Community

Donating seeds is a wonderful way to support our community and promote biodiversity. Bring in your heirloom, non-hybrid seeds to share by planting them and let some of them grow to maturity. When you harvest the next generation of seeds, return some to the library so other people can check them out. You can borrow up to 10 seed packets at a time.

To donate seeds, please follow recommended harvesting/seed saving techniques.

Label the seeds clearly with the plant species, variety, and the year they were harvested.
Bring your seeds to the 3rd floor of the Fredericksburg Branch and place them in the basket by the Seed Library.
Read Seed Saving for Beginners to get even more tips.

What's in the Seed Library right now?

Donating seeds not only helps others grow food and plants but also contributes to preserving genetic diversity in local ecosystems. We keep the available seeds to the seasonal calendar. Browse the lists below. Available while supplies last.

Did you know that we're in zones 7a/b?

Garden Zones 7a and 7b refer to specific hardiness zones within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which helps gardeners determine which plants are most likely to thrive in their region based on climate conditions, particularly minimum winter temperatures.

Zone 7a has a minimum average winter temperature range of 0°F to 5°F (-18°C to -15°C).
Zone 7b has a minimum average winter temperature range of 5°F to 10°F (-15°C to -12°C).

These zones are part of a broader system that divides the United States into 13 zones based on temperature extremes. In Zone 7, winters are relatively mild compared to colder zones, allowing a wide variety of plants to thrive, including many perennials, shrubs, and trees.

Typical plants for these zones include roses, lilacs, lavender, and some fruit trees. The growing season in Zone 7 typically extends from early spring to late fall, making it a good region for many types of flowers, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

Check out what to plant for zone 7 below.

What to Plant: Late Fall/Early Winter

Gardening tip: Consider cold-hardy plants with short maturation periods -- so mostly, root vegetables!

Carrots are a hardy vegetable that can tolerate the cold.

Cauliflower is best planted in late autumn and early winter so the curds can ripen in the cold.

Loose-leaf and crisp head lettuce varieties can both be grown.

Beets like a sunny spot with good soil drainage.

Broccoli is a cool-weather crop that grows best in the early spring, through the fall and winter months.

Winter Gardening Tasks

You CAN have fun gardening in the winter months. Here's a list of suggestions and tasks you can complete while waiting for the songs of springtime.

Plan for the spring growing season! Start selecting seeds, plotting out plant locations, and researching new varieties of plants or different gardening techniques.
Order new seeds and/or bulbs
Sharpen your gardening tools and/or upgrade your equipment
Begin an indoor herb garden: herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, and parsley can thrive indoors where there's at least 6 hours of sunlight.
Add fallen leaves to gardening beds: the leaves' natural breakdown feeds the soil!
Prune dormant plants
Start sowing seeds in late winter
Focus on indoor houseplant care
Donate seeds to our Seed Library, of course!

More Resources for Winterizing Your Garden

10 Tips for Preparing Your Garden for Winter from The Old Farmer's Almanac
Fall & Winter Vegetable Gardening video: Join Extension Master Gardener Dona Lee to learn what to plant when, and simple tips for success. Dona discusses inexpensive techniques to extend your harvest and ways to enjoy some of your crops in the dead of winter. She also discusses how to select and plant winter cover crops to improve your soil for next year.

More Local Gardening Resources

Native Plant Spotlight
Native plants have evolved to thrive in specific climate, soil, and weather conditions, requiring less water, fertilizer, and maintenance compared to non-native species. They provide vital habitat and food for local wildlife, especially pollinators like bees and butterflies, and help maintain the health of ecosystems.

Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who serve as community educators in horticulture. Their goal is to promote environmentally sound, sustainable gardening techniques and help improve local ecosystems through education and hands-on involvement.

Downtown Greens
Downtown Green’s mission is to enhance the well-being of our community, by connecting people with nature through education and the preservation of greenspaces. They run a monthly Gardening Workshop at the Fredericksburg Library 1st Tuesdays of each month, 10:00-11:00am.

Xerces Society
A non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates, particularly pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Their website has "Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant" lists, searchable by state.