The Seed Library at the Bailey Public Library strives to preserve biodiversity and to promote open-pollinated, heirloom varieties. The Seed Library allows you to “check out” a packet of heirloom seeds, grow your own heritage vegetables, save seeds from the best plants, and then lend them to a friend or neighbor, participate in a “seed swap,” or use them yourself next year.
Over the last century, the world has lost 75% of its edible plant varieties, and this loss in biodiversity threatens our food and nutrition security. Seed libraries offer opportunities to access healthy and affordable food and fosters a connection to the land. We believe that strengthening knowledge of local food systems and cultivating the skills required for sustainable food production helps to strengthen our community environmentally, economically and socially.

Here is a list of seed packets available in 2025!
first come first serve; limited stock!

To “check out” a packet you must have an active library card. Each patron is limited to two seed packets (overall).

Black Seeded Simpson, Lettuce Seeds
Adaptable and tasty heirloom green leaf. An early producer of light green, curled, tender leaves.

Brandywine Tomato Seeds
Brandywine, which dates back to 1885, is the heirloom tomato standard, and wins most flavor contests. The large, beefsteak-shaped fruits grow on unusually upright, potato-leaved plants. The fruits set one or two per cluster and ripen late.

Cucumber – Salt & Pepper Seeds
Salt & Pepper Cucumber seeds produces high yields of light yellow fruits that pack an impressive sweetness and crunch. Beloved for its flavor and thin skin that lacks the bitterness of the standard grocery store cucumber. Ideal for fresh snacking or a great addition to any pickle batch.

Dragon’s Tongue, Bean Seeds
Unique flashy heirloom bush bean. Flat pods are pale yellow with purple streaks. They are tender, sweet, and good in salads or cooked.

New England Pie Pumpkin Seeds
The classic New England pie pumpkin. Dark orange-skinned heirloom pumpkins in a range of small sizes. Delicious flesh and even better texture!

Padron Pepper Seeds
Famous Spanish heirloom! Grown since the 17th century, Padron Peppers are crisp, savory and pleasantly biting. Harvest when they are 1–1 1/2″ long as the fruits become very hot if allowed to grow 2–3″ long.

The following are sold out or are unavailable in 2025:

Chioggia Guardsmark, Beet Seeds
An old-time heirloom beet! The highest-quality Chioggia strain available. Medium-height tops are green with pink-striped stems. Excellent flavor.

De Cicco, Broccoli Seeds
Reliable heirloom known for tender stalks and mild flavor. Produces a compact, central head followed by a prolific set of side shoots. Long harvest period makes for an excellent home garden variety.

Lemon Cucumber Seeds
The Lemon cucumber has a very tender, clean, crisp and sweet taste that is never bitter. Small, rounded, yellow heirloom cucumbers that yield heavily and for a long time. Great cucumber for salads and pickling.

Zucchini Squash Seeds
Costata Romanesco Zucchini is an heirloom from Italy. Often considered to be the best tasting zucchini. Delicate, nutty flavor.