Sustainable Living

The Delta College Seed Library is managed by Delta College Library.  In order to keep the Seed Library running, it will need the support of the Delta Community.  Delta Library encourages everyone who borrows from the Seed Library to return whatever seeds their crop yields back to the library.  In this way, the seed stock can be continuously replenished.  

First-Time Savers: If this is your first time saving seeds, the library recommends that you start with flowers, lettuce, peppers, beans, peas, tomatoes, okra, or radishes.  These plants are the easiest to ensure that the seeds collected will be true to type and won't require the same amount of advanced care and attention that other species of plants do.

For Seeds Not Sourced through the Delta College Seed Library: please take care when saving seeds from plants you've bought from the store or acquired elsewhere.  Delta College Seed Library only accepts open pollinated non-GMO natural seeds.  The library does not accept any seeds from hybrid plants (F1) or with the label "PVP."  To know more about the difference between natural seeds and protected seeds, read the section in chapter 1 titled "Hybrid vs. Open Pollinated Seeds" from the Seed Libraries: And Other Means of Keeping Seeds in the Hands of the People ebook by Cindy Conner. 

One Seed, One State: Delta Library is participating in the MI Seed Library's One Seed, One State initiative for 2023!  This initiative was thought of in 2019 and the program had its first true launch in 2021.  This year's seed is 'Grand Rapids' lettuce.  This lettuce is easy to grow and extremely cold-hardy.  If you're not sure about saving seeds, use this as a practice plant to test out your seed-saving skills!  

Happy Saving!