the northern open-source seed library application

WE WILL BE RE-OPENING TO CURRENT MEMBERS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 at 9AM MST. Apply HERE

THE LIBRARY WILL BE OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS ON OCTOBER 1, 2024 at 9AM MST.

How this works

1. APPLY: Adopt varieties by filling out a member application. The application will be available when the seed library opens on September 1st for current members, and October 1st for new members. You are considered a member if you have adopted seeds with TNSL in the past. Once accepted, we will send you the seeds in the mail with some information about sowing & saving seeds for the variety you will be stewarding

2. GROW: Plant those seeds in the spring. Grow as many plants as you can! In the fall, harvest fresh seeds.

3. RETURN: Send those freshly harvested seeds back to the library for the next member(s) to adopt. Send back as many seeds as you can, but remember to save some for yourself. The more seeds that are returned to the library the better! This allows more members to have the chance to adopt and work towards preserving the variety the following year. As we build our seed bank, we can accept more members and build an even larger, diverse network of free seeds adapted to northern climates.

The finer details. Please read all of these terms & conditions before applying to adopt seeds

• Becoming a member and adopting a variety is FREE. From beginners to seasoned seed savers, we welcome seed stewards of all skill levels

•  We are a volunteer-based, non-profit that connects with seed savers  across Canada. Our physical seed bank is housed in Sturgeon County,  Alberta

•  The Northern Seed Library and it's affiliates will never sell or share your personal information 

•  You may opt-out and cancel your membership at any time

• Seeds don't store indefinitely. As time goes on, seeds lose their viability and ability to germinate. This is why it is important to be constantly growing out varieties to replenish and refresh seed stock. Some seeds, like carrots only stay viable for a few years, while some like tomatoes can stay viable for 10+ years when stored correctly. If seeds are not grown out on a periodic basis, those varieties can become extinct.

• Some varieties will be relatively fresh seeds, while some may be from old seeds found in old seed collections. Sometimes we have a little bit of seeds to send sometimes we have more to spare

• Sometimes seeds just don't germinate if they are too old and that's normal and okay! Please don't feel discouraged from trying again or from trying a new variety to adopt the following year. It is better to try, than to let the seeds lose viability from sitting dormant in storage for a long time

• Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. As we are run on a volunteer basis, please allow 4-6 weeks for your app to be processed and seeds sent out via Canada Post lettermail

• Ensure that you are choosing a variety from THIS LIST

• Ensure that you can accommodate isolation distances for your choices. Isolation distance is the distance that varieties need to be planted from other varieties of the same type to avoid cross-pollination. For example, tomato variety 'A' will need to be planted 10-20 feet from tomato variety 'B'. In some instances, isolation bags or barriers can be used when isolation requirements cannot be met. If you are new to seed saving, some great things to start with are peas, beans, tomatoes, and annual flowers like calendula. The isolation distance for the above varieties are smaller and/or can be easily isolated with isolation bags or barriers. You can always reach out to us at seedlibrary@shaw.ca if you are unsure

• Once your application is approved, the variety(ies) will be "checked out" from the seed bank. We will mail you the seeds via Canada Post. As we are run on a volunteer basis, we ship out checked-out items once a month. Please allow 4-6 weeks from your application to the time your seeds arrive

• Once you receive your seeds, you grow them out for the 2025 growing season! Be sure to follow isolation recommendations, minimum number of plants for healthy biodiversity, and to rouge out any unhealthy looking plants during the season. For seed saving resources, see here

• In the fall if you have a successful harvest, you will "return"  fresh seeds back to the library via lettermail to help keep the seed library's seeds fresh, viable, and available for the next adoptee(s).  We encourage you to send as many seeds as you can so that more members can grow out the variety the following year. The more a variety is grown out in Canada, the more adapted and resilient to our short and cool growing seasons it will become

• Repeat the following year! Members have access to the seed library earlier than the public. They also have access to free seed saving resources, downloads, and more!

• Be sure to add seedlibrary@shaw.ca to your safe senders list. We communicate with members via e-mail

Let's break away from relying on large corporate seed companies and start a seedy revolution!