Seed Library

Mission:

The Seed Library at Octavia Fellin Public Library will encourage education on seed saving, nurture growth within the community sustainability environment, and guide the community into sustainable growth opportunities. By:

1. Establishing, growing, and curating a depository of seeds available to all community members at no cost.
2. Providing information, instruction, and education about sustainable growth.

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How does the OFPL Seed Library Work?

Our Library will establish, grow, and curate a depository of seeds available to all community members at no cost.

Neighbors can come into the Main Library, 115 West Hill Ave, and receive up to 20 seed packets every year, including no more than two (2) packets of any one variety.

You will find our seeds in three different categories:

• Vegetables – Bring fresh food to the table by planting veggies in your garden such as tomatoes, carrots, and squash.
• Flowers – Let’s help the pollinators by planting a few colorful flowers in your garden with poppies and sunflowers.
• Herbs – Culinary herbs like cilantro, parsley, and basil.

All seeds are housed in our black card catalog within the Main Lobby area in the Main Library. Seeds are placed in alphabetical order in accordance with their common name, i.e. Carrots and Tomatoes, within the old card catalog container.

Each seed packet will be labeled with the following information:

• Common Name
• Days to Germination
• Planting Depth
• Days to Harvest
• Spacing Row/Plant
• Suggested Time for Planting

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Home Gardening

Our Library will provide information, instruction, and education about sustainable growth. New to gardening or an expert? Do not worry, here at OFPL, we have a variety of gardening resources to make your first home garden a success.

In addition, OFPL will offer complimentary garden-related programming to the community throughout the year. Programs include but not limited to:

• Gardening 101
• Seed Saving Techniques
• To Pesticide or Not Pesticide
• Local Gardener Lectures
• Farmer’s Market

Seed Starter Pots

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Seed Saving

Cardholders are encouraged to return at least twice the number of seeds they originally borrowed. Seeds should be saved according to best practices, as explained in seed saving workshops offered by the library or by partnering organizations. Alternately, the library can recommend seed-saving books or literature. Seeds should not be returned to the library unless the grower knows how to properly save them. Returned seeds should be dry and labeled clearly with the information specified below:

• Common name
• Variety
• Location of harvest
• Year of harvest
• Seed saving technique. (i.e. dry, wet, fermentation)
• Any notes pertinent to the seeds

Seed Saving Techniques

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Inventory

Herbs

Common Name	Days to Germination	Planting Depth	Spacing	Height	Suggested Time for Planting
Basil	7 – 14 days	1/4 inches	10 – 14 inches	18 – 24 inches	May
Cilantro/Coriander	14 – 21 days	1/4 inches	10 – 14 inches	18 – 24 inches	May
Mammoth Dill	10 – 21 days	1/4 inches	16 – 24 inches	36 inches	May
Parsley (Organic)	14 – 21 days	1/4 inches	12 – 14 inches	12 – 18 inches	May
Santo Cilantro	14 – 21 days	1/4 inches	10 – 14 inches	12 – 18 inches	May
Thyme	14- 21 days	1/4 inches	6 – 8 inches	6 – 12 inches	May

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Flowers (Perennial)

Common Name	Days to Gemination	Planting Depth	Spacing	Height	Days to Bloom	Suggested Time for Planting
Grandpa Ott Morning Glory	7 – 21 days	1/2 inches	10 – 12 inches	120 – 156 inches	120 days	May
Mammoth Sunflower	7 – 10 days	1/2 inches	18 – 24 inches	108 – 144 inches	90 days	May – June
Mixed Variety Marigold	7 – 14 days	1/4 inches	10 inches	30 – 36 inches	50 days	May
Poppy	10 – 20 days	1/4 inch	18 -24 inches	24 – 36 inches	180 – 300 days	May – June
German Chamomile	14 – 21 days	1/4 inches	12 – 14 inhces	90 – 120 inches	90 – 120 days	May
Navajo Tea

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Vegetable (Organic)

Common Name	Days to Germination	Planting Depth	Spacing	Height	Days to Harvest	Suggested Time for Planting
Acorn Squash	10 – 14 days	1 inch	36 inches	10 – 12 inches	80 days	May – July- July
Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach	7 – 14 days	1/2 inch	18 – 24 inches	10 – 12 inches	40 – 48 days	April – May
Blue Indian Corn
Cayenne Long Slim Hot	10 – 21 days	1/4 inches	18 inches	18 – 21 inches	75 days	May
Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes	7 – 14 days	1/4 inches	18 inches	40 – 48 inches	80 days	May
Cherry Bell Beets	4 – 6 days	1/2 inches	3 inches	4 – 6 inches	22 days	April – May
Early Scarlet Globe Radish	4 – 6 days	1/2 inches	3 – 6 inches	6 – 8 inches	20 – 28 days	April – May
Hubbard Squash	10 – 14 days	1 inches	48 – 60 inches	10 – 12 inches	115 days	May – July
Jack-0-lantern Pumpkin	7 – 14 days	1 inches	72 inches	12 – 18 inches	110 days	May – June
Mexican Red Kidney Bean
Pinto Beans
Rainbow Carrot	14 – 21 days	1/2 inches	3 inches	4 – 8 inches	75 – 80 days	April – July
Roma Tomatoes	7 – 14 days	1/4 inch	18 inches	30 – 36 inches	76 days	May
Short and Sweet Carrot	14 – 21 days	1/2 inch	3 inches	4 – 8 inches	68 days	April – July
Winter Wheat
Yellow Indian Corn

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Resources

Ordering Seeds

If we, at OFPL, do not carry seeds you are looking for please visit these sites for various organic seeds.

Native Seeds – We are committed to conserving agricultural biodiversity and to providing the highest quality seed available.

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange – Heirloom & Organic Seeds from our Cooperatively Run Business

BBB Seed – BBB Seed is committed to providing fresh, high quality, open-pollinated, non-GE (genetically engineered) seed so that you can have success with healthy, productive plantings for a healthy and sustainable environment.

Seed Savers Exchange – As a nonprofit, Seed Savers Exchange aims to conserve and promote America’s culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations by collecting, growing, and sharing heirloom seeds and plants.

Harris Seeds – Harris Seeds has a long tradition of supplying the finest vegetable seeds, flower seeds, plants and supplies to growers and gardeners. The Harris Seeds team includes local growers and garden enthusiasts, whose invaluable knowledge and expertise allow us to better serve you. Every Harris Seeds employee shares a common goal – a commitment to your success.

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USDA Hardiness Zone

The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 11 separate planting zones; each growing zone is 10°F warmer (or colder) in an average winter than the adjacent zone. If you see a hardiness zone in a gardening catalog or plant description, chances are it refers to this USDA map. Check out this website for planting zones for growing and gardening.

Zone Finder – Enter your zip code for a hardiness zone map.

Gallup Zone – View Gallup’s hardiness zone map

Planting Calendar – Planting Calendar for the Gallup area.

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Community Resources

Local resources available to you if you need assistance with your home garden. Check out OFPL’s catalog system for books on gardening or visit our local organizations for additional help.

New Mexico State University (NMSU) – Extension Office – Providing the people of New Mexico with practical, research-based knowledge and programs to improve their quality of life.

Community Pantry – Our Hope Garden was founded in 2009. It features several acres of land for growing produce, and a multitude of “hoop houses”. Our Hoop houses are covered areas used for vegetables and herbs during the growing season.

Gallup’s Online Artisan Marketplace – The Gallup Locally Grown Market is a project of Work in Beauty, Inc., a 501©(3) non-profit in Gallup, NM working on developing a sustainable local food system to the benefit of consumers, growers, and the land. It is our hope that this market complements the Downtown Farmers’ Market, diversifying the ways in which local eaters and growers connect in our region.

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