Common Soil Seed Library

The Common Soil Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds that you can borrow from to plant and grow at home. The seed collection depends on donations and seasonality. You'll see different seeds available at different times, so check in frequently to see what's available.

Omaha Public Library created Common Soil Seed Library in 2013 to help encourage a culture of abundance and food literacy, promote urban agriculture, and help diversify open-pollinated plants and seed at the local level. By saving seeds as a community, we help create local seed stocks that are better acclimated to our unique climate, and which support an abundant and genetically diverse landscape.

Yes! There are non-GMO, organic seeds, as well as open-pollinated and heirloom seeds. 

• Common Soil offers year-round classes on growing, seed saving, and other relevant topics taught by community gardeners and experts.

• Growing instructions are available for seeds offered through Common Soil at all OPL locations, opens a new window except Genealogy & Local History Room.

We're happy to accept donations of your open-pollinated, heirloom, and/or locally saved seeds in any quantity.* Just follow these easy steps:

1. Collect and clean seeds from your crops, and set aside some for yourself and some for the library.
2. Please clearly label your donation in an envelope or container. You can print out this label at home, opens a new window, or pick one up at your local library.
3. Bring your labeled seeds to any Omaha Public Library location, and we'll add them to the collection for other community members to check out.

*Seeds saved from grocery store produce are not suitable for the Seed Library. Please put them in your compost bin instead.