Mercer Seed Library
The Mercer Seed Library’s mission is to encourage local gardeners to grow and harvest a variety of seeds. The library currently has seeds such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, lettuce and herbs. There are also seeds from commercial growers, and most are organic and non-hybrid varieties. The seeds are available to local gardeners at no cost or obligation.
Seeds are available on a first-come, first-served basis to those residing in the Northern Waters Library Service area: Iron, Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Sawyer, Vilas, and Washburn counties in Wisconsin. We’ll do our best to fill your seed requests, but please note that we cannot guarantee availability. Please take only the seeds that you plan to grow for your family’s garden.
Gardeners are encouraged to save seeds and return them to the seed library when possible, but all are welcome to take seeds from this community resource whether they intend to save seeds or not. This process can benefit gardeners in our northern climate because the seeds harvested from successful fruits and vegetables in our area will likely do better in subsequent years.
Our Seed Library also sponsors programs on gardening. Here are some resources from previous programs:
- “Growing Tomatoes in Cool Climates” with Extension Iron County horticulture specialist Darrin Kimbler, March 24, 2021 (YouTube video with closed captions)
- “Planning a seed-saving garden” with Extension Iron County horticulture specialist Darrin Kimbler, March 3, 2021 (YouTube video with closed captions)
- “Preparing your garden for winter” with Extension Iron County horticulture specialist Darrin Kimbler – YouTube video with closed captions
- “Growing Garlic” presentation with Extension Iron County horticulture specialist Darrin Kimbler, September 24, 2020 – YouTube video with closed captions
- “How Long Can I Keep My Seeds?” a handout from the Mercer Seed Library volunteers