Salutations Seed Library

Salutations! Salutations Seed Library is a project co-sponsored by TCPL, the Master Gardeners of Tompkins County and Cornell Climate Stewards. It provides free seeds and gardening knowledge for the Tompkins County community. Check out free seeds! Grow plants any time of the year! All seeds are free. Take what you need and save what you can.

The Salutations Seed Library is part of TCPL's Library of Things. Located near the adult reference desk.

How it Works

These seeds have been donated by organizations and individuals throughout our Finger Lakes community. Take what you need but no more so that we can reach as many households as possible. There is no obligation to “return” seeds you’ve “checked out”! Take the seeds you will plant this season and happy gardening.

Be sure to read the instructions provided on the commercial packets or coin envelopes and follow them for best results. If you have seed-starting questions, call (607) 272-2292 between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm and ask for the GrowLine. You can also email your question to growline@cornell.edu.

Seeds should be kept in the dark and cool as much as possible! This keeps them viable for as long as possible.

Annuals are plants that live for one year or less; in that time, they grow, flower, produce seed, and die.

Biennials are plants that grow leaves the first year of life, and in the second year, they produce flowers, set seed, and die.

Perennials are plants that live for more than two years and produce flowers and fruit every growing season.

Hardening off is to gradually introduce seedlings and plants that have been indoors to the bright light, stronger winds, and variable temperatures found outside.

Local Classes & Programs

• Gardening classes & Seed to Supper program at Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County
  • The Garden Post newsletter
    (subscribe here)
• Cornell Garden-Based Learning

Online Learning

• Margaret Roach's 'A Way to Garden'
• Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Handouts

• Cool Weather Seeds
• Warm Weather Seeds
• Vegetables
• How to Read a Seed Packet