Our Seed Library is a collection of over 2900 regionally-adapted and rare seed varieties, backing up the work of our member seed savers and Canadian heritage seed companies. Seeds of Diversity's member seed growers multiply these seeds to keep them viable and available for future gardeners and farmers. As a not-for-profit project, we depend on volunteers and donors to:

  • Adopt a seed into the library, protecting it in perpetuity
  • Grow out seed and return freshly-saved seed to us
  • Donate varieties from your seed collection

==> A Day in the Life of a Seeds of Diversity Seed

Complete List of Varieties

Browse to see our full collection, and what's been adopted so far

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How Does it Work?

  • When members offer really rare seeds, we notice, and we request samples to back up in the Seed Library.

                                                          

  • Every year, we check seed catalogues to find out which varieties need to be backed up.

                                                          

  • If seeds have low germination, or low quantity, we find volunteer seed growers to save them.

                                                             

  • We send seeds to volunteers all across the country, who know how to save top quality seeds.

                                                             

  • Our volunteer seed growers multiply the seeds with care, for the benefit of everyone who will grow them in the future.

                                                                 

  • When we receive seed samples, we test them for germination to make sure they are top quality before putting them in storage.

                                                                  

A Few Stats

  • Now storing 6028 samples of seeds
  • 15% permanently adopted through donations
  • Backing up 2935 varieties from 84 plant species

What does it look like? Imagine 157.77 kg of seeds carefully dried and stored in airtight jars in a big freezer!

These are your seeds, your collection, brought to you by the work and donations of hundreds of people.