Sow, Grow, Save & Share!
Join us in a brand-new initiative that celebrates gardening, self-reliance, and community spirit. Borrow seeds from your local library, take them home to sow and grow, harvest the seeds and return to your library for others to use.
What is it?
The Seed Library is like a regular library, but instead of books – it is for seeds! You can take home a variety of seeds for your garden, sow, grow and harvest the seeds to return to the library for others to borrow.
Benefits
The Seed Library benefits both individuals and the community. You can obtain free seeds for your garden and help build a collection of seeds for others. Sharing seeds through the Seed Library will help preserve seeds and over time a collection adapted to local conditions (climate, pests, soils, etc) can be achieved, strengthening the biodiversity and food security for our local community.
Growing from the Seed Library is a great way to teach
children about the life cycle of plants, while learning new
seed-saving skills yourself.
How do I get involved?
Borrow
up to 4 FREE seed packets per month.
Sow and Grow
Plant the seeds in your garden and tend to them.
Harvest and Share
After growing your garden, harvest and return seeds for others to borrow.
Obligation
There is no obligation to return seeds if growing doesn’t work out, but you are encouraged to have a go at learning seed-saving skills and contribute to the collection.
Donations
If you have an abundance of seeds you would like to share with your community, please package and label with details of the variety, where it was grown, and date it was harvested – then drop off to your local Western Downs Library.Â
Top Tips
From WDRC Parks and Recreation Team
Each month, Luke and Rick (our WDRC Gardening Experts) will share their own valuable tips and advice. From seasonal planting guides, pest prevention, and composting – you’re sure to learn something and improve your own green thumb!
January Top Tip
Help Pots Stay Cool
February Top Tip
Summer Growing Guide
March Top Tip
Growing Vegetables in Pots
April Top Tip
Adding Nutrients
May Top Tip
Making Compost
June Top Tip
Winter Grow Guide
July Top Tip
Natural Pest Prevention
August Top Tip
Growing Broccoli and Cauliflower
September Top Tip
Spring into Gardening Success
October Top Tip
Preparing your Veggie Patch
November Top Tip
Averting Mildew
December Top Tip
Grow BIG, Tasty Tomatoes
Our Seed Library
Basil (Genova)
Ocimum Basilicum
An Italian strain, widely regarded as the best for pesto. Plants grow 50-70 cm tall and are relatively slow to bolt. Medium dark green leaves average 5-8cm in length and have a strong spicy fragrance and taste. Requires moist but well-drained soil.
Sow – Spring, Summer
Sunlight – Full Sun
Days to Germination – 5-10 days
Maturity – 9-12 weeks
Plant Spacing – 30cm
Sow Depth – ½cm
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Beetroot (Detroit Dark Red)
Bet Vulgaris
Most widely used variety for both baby leaf and roots. Typical medium green tops with tinges of red can be cut for baby leaf mix in 30 days. Resistant to downy mildew. Frost Hardy. Requires moist but well-drained soil.Â
Sow – Autumn, Winter, Spring 
Sunlight – Full SunÂ
Days to Germination – 5-10 daysÂ
Maturity – 8 – 12 WeeksÂ
Plant Spacing – 5 – 10cmÂ
Sow Depth – 1.5cm
RecommendationsÂ
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rottingÂ
To save your seedsÂ
- Select the strongest and most productive plantÂ
- Allow plant to reach full maturityÂ
- The plant will start to die and dry outÂ
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvestingÂ
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry placeÂ
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**Â
Broccoli (Di Ciccio)
Brassica OleraceaÂ
A traditional variety producing small 3-4 main heads projected well above the foliage followed by a large yields of side shoot spears nonuniform in maturity resulting in a long harvest period. Requires well-drained soil.
Sow – Autumn [extending Feb to June]
Sunlight – Full SunÂ
Days to Germination – 3-7 daysÂ
Maturity – 10-12 WeeksÂ
Plant Spacing – 50cmÂ
Sow Depth – ½cmÂ
RecommendationsÂ
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stakeÂ
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before plantingÂ
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**Â
Calendula Pacific Beauty Mix
Calendula Officinalis
A beautiful winter display of warm colours in apricot, yellow, persimmon, and orange. Strong colour toning at petal tips enhance the colourful display. Long stemmed double and semi double flowers. Recommended moist soil.
Sow – Autumn, Winter, Spring 
Sunlight – Full SunÂ
Days to Germination – 7-14 daysÂ
Maturity – 10-12 weeksÂ
Plant Spacing – 50cmÂ
Sow Depth – 1.5cm
RecommendationsÂ
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stakeÂ
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before plantingÂ
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plantÂ
- Allow plant to reach full maturityÂ
- The plant will start to die and dry outÂ
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvestingÂ
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**Â
Capsicum (Californian wonder)
Capsicum Annum
Large block thick-walled sweet pepper. Glossy deep-green colour that turns red at full maturity. May require stakes for support. Requires moist but well-drained soil.
Sow – Summer, Autumn, Spring 
Sunlight – Full SunÂ
Days to Germination – 10-20 daysÂ
Maturity – 10-16 weeksÂ
Plant Spacing – 40-60cmÂ
Sow Depth – ½cm
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**Â
Lettuce
Lactuca Sativa
Hardy, “butterhead” type. Up to 20cm in height. Bushy with glossy green leaves at full maturity. Requires moist but well-drained soil.
Sow – Year Round 
Sunlight – Full SunÂ
Days to Germination – 7-14 daysÂ
Maturity – 8-11 weeksÂ
Plant Spacing – 30cmÂ
Sow Depth – ½cm
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Nasturtium Double Jewel (Mixed)
Tropaeolum Nanum
Compact, annual, non-trailing plants. Flowering well above the foliage with semi-double and double upward facing spurred blooms. Grows to 30cm high. Requires moist but well-drained soil.
Sow – Autumn, Winter (Also, late summer/early spring)
Sunlight – Full Sun
Days to Germination – 7-14 days
Maturity – 10-12 weeks
Plant Spacing – 30cm
Sow Depth – 1.5cm
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Tomato (Roma)
Solanum Lycopersicum
Bush growing, oblong fruit. Grows up to 10cm in length. Good disease resistance. Requires moist but well-drained soil.
Sow – Summer, Autumn, Spring
Sunlight – Full Sun
Days to Germination – 5-10 days
Maturity – 11-12 weeks
Plant Spacing – 50cm
Sow Depth – ½cm
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Zucchini (Black Beauty)
Cucurbita Pepo
Popular variety of tender-fleshed, summer squash. Fruit is dark green glossy and tapers towards each end. Plants are compact and easy to grow producing an abundance of fruit throughout the summer. Requires moist but well-drained soil.
Sow – Spring, Summer
Sunlight – Full Sun
Days to Germination – 7-14 days
Maturity – 7 weeks
Plant Spacing – 75cm
Sow Depth – 2cm
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Sunflower (Common)
Helianthus annuus
A tall, fast-growing annual with broad, hairy leaves, the sunflower produces huge, brilliant flowers in summer. To harvest the seeds, cover the flower heads with netting or a paper bag once the petals die to protect them from birds. Alternatively, cut the flower heads with some stalk attached and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place. Seeds are ready when they are loose and easy to dislodge.
 
Sow – Late Winter-Summer
Sunlight – Full Sun
Plant Spacing – 30-50cm
Sow Depth – 10cm
Days to Germination – 7-14 days
Harvest – 100 days
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Corn (Super Sweet Max)
Zea mays
Plants grow to 180cm and have excellent disease resistance. Direct sow seeds, grow in multiple rows to aid pollination, and protect young seedlings from slugs and snails. Produces 1–2 sweet, yellow cobs per plant, each around 20cm long.
Sow – Spring – Early Summer
Sunlight – Full Sun
Plant Spacing – 30cm
Sow Depth – 20mm
Days to Germination – 5-14 days
Harvest – 80-100 days
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Carrot (All Seasons)
Daucus carota
Red cored and virus resistant. Direct sow seeds, sprinkle seeds sparingly along drill, back fill very lightly. Do not let the soil dry out.
Sow – All Year
Sunlight – Full Sun
Plant Spacing – 5cm
Sow Depth – 4mm
Days to Germination – 10-20 days
Harvest – 70-120 days
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Pumpkin (Butternut)
Cucurbita moschata
Small pear-shaped pumpkin grows up to 2kg, with pale skin, vibrant orange flesh, and a small seed cavity. Harvest when the vine dries out. Stores well and perfect for soups, roasting, and more. Susceptible to mildew—ensure good air circulation for best results.
Sow – Spring or after frost
Sunlight – Part or Full Sun
Plant Spacing – 100cm
Sow Depth – 20mm
Days to Germination – 5-10 days
Harvest – 90 – 120 days
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Watermelon (Crimson Sweet)
Citrullus lanatus
Tough, medium green rind with dark-green stripes. Fruit are nearly round, averaging 10-20 inches in diameter with an average weight of 10kg. Flesh is bright deep-red with high sugar content and relatively few small dark brown mottled seeds. Fruit is ripe when the stem starts to brown off.
Sow – Spring-Summer
Sunlight – Full Sun
Plant Spacing – 100cm
Sow Depth – 2cm
Days to Germination – 5-8 days
Harvest – 80-95 days
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Thyme (Vulgaris Organic)
Thymus vulgaris
Thyme is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial. Sow in full sun and well-drained soil. Mix tiny seeds with sand for easier sowing. Water only when soil is dry 10cm down. Prune after flowering to promote new growth.
Sow – Autumn – Early Spring
Sunlight – Full Sun
Plant Spacing – 25cm
Sow Depth – 3mm
Days to Germination – 14-21 days
Harvest – 70-90 days
Recommendations
- To easily identify seedlings, label your stake
- For a faster and more reliable germination, soak seeds overnight in warm (not hot) water before planting
- Only water once when planting to avoid the seeds rotting
To save your seeds
- Select the strongest and most productive plant
- Allow plant to reach full maturity
- The plant will start to die and dry out
- Allow plant to completely dry before harvesting
- Store in a sealed container in a cool and dry place
**Remember – Label your seeds with their name and the date they were harvested**
Help build a resilient community, learn new skills, and support local sustainability.
Let’s sow the seeds of a happier, more vibrant community together!
