Check Out Our Seed Library

ROPL’s Seed Library provides flower and vegetable seeds to the community for free! Patrons can "check out" seeds by visiting our Seed Library nook, which is located by our north entrance. We ask that seeds are "returned" by harvesting seeds from a plant or two that you grow. Have seeds to donate? Drop them off anytime, but make sure they are labeled "FOR SEED LIBRARY."

Our Seed Library is an important library resource that helps to promote food independence, seed diversity, maintaining heritage varieties, and the saving of seeds that are adapted to the local climate and growing conditions. Seed libraries share the wonder of growing your own food or plants from seed! Seed saving and sharing is a money saving, sustainable practice that is hundreds of years old, connects us to the past as well as the earth, and is a great way to give back to the community. And it's fun! Questions? Call the Adult Services Desk at (248) 246-3727.

In addition, ROPL is taking part in the One Seed One State program run by the MI Seed Library Network.  This year's seed that you can pick a packet up of is the 'Grand Rapids' Lettuce!  A brochure for how to nurture this lovely green is available next to the packets, we ask that you only take one packet per household, or family group.

‘Grand Rapids’ lettuce was developed by Eugene Davis of Grand Rapids, who became known as the “father of forced lettuce’ in the late 1800s. Extremely cold-hardy, ‘Grand Rapids’ lettuce is credited with establishing the greenhouse winter lettuce industry in Grand Rapids that supplied the Great Lakes region and beyond for decades. Still popular, ‘Grand Rapids’ lettuce is in the pedigree of many crisphead varieties¹

¹“MI Seed Library Network – Connecting Seed Libraries across Michigan.” MI Seed Library Network, One Seed One Stat, MI Seed Library Network, https://miseedlibrary.org/?page_id=389.