ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (July 8, 2025) – OC Public Libraries (OCPL) is excited to announce the launch of its new Seed Library pilot program, designed to promote community gardening and sustainable living. Thanks to a generous grant from the California State Library, this initiative is here to inspire community gardening and sustainable living, one seed at a time. Seed libraries help create habitats for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators essential for healthy ecosystems and food production. By giving our communities free access to seeds, OCPL helps families grow their own fresh produce, helping to foster environmental stewardship by reducing reliance on industrial agriculture, cutting down on packaging waste, and encouraging eco-friendly practices like composting and water conservation.
Here’s how it works:
Adult patrons can borrow up to three seed varieties per month.
One checkout per seed variety each month to keep things fair and accessible.
Seeds are available while supplies last.
While we are not collecting seeds back, we encourage participants to let us know how things grow! Your tips, success stories, and suggestions for new varieties will help us keep blooming and evolving this program.
Seed Libraries are available now at six branches: Brea, Costa Mesa, El Toro, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and Westminster.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Join us for gardening workshops and garden inspired summer programs:
Program: Grow Your Own Garden – Tasty Herbs
When: Thursday July 10, 2025, 1:00-2:00 pm
Where: Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
Program: UC Master Gardeners of California – Grow Food Anywhere
When: Thursday July 10, 2025, 4:00-5:00 pm
Where: Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library
Program: Garden Bugs – Start Your Own Vegetable/Herb Garden
When: Thursday July 17, 2025, 4:00-5:00 pm
Where: Fountain Valley Library
Program: UC Master Gardeners of California – Herbs
When: Saturday July 19, 2025, 11:00-12:00 pm
Where: Laguna Beach Library
Program: UC Master Gardeners of California – Salad Bowl Garden
When: Thursday July 24, 2025, 4:00-5:00 pm
Where: Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library
Program: UC Master Gardeners of California – Succulents
When: Saturday July 26, 2025, 2:00-3:00 pm
Where: El Toro Library
This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
