How to do it:

If you can’t find a seed exchange locally, consider starting one! Here are some simple ways to test the waters out:

• If you’re culling this year’s seeds because picking new ones is half the fun, offer them in a Buy Nothing group. Most seeds (except alliums) are good past their pack-date.
• Ask gardening friends if they’d like to trade surplus seeds. None of us need all the plants a pack of zucchini would grow!
• If you know an experienced gardener on a fixed budget, ask if they’d grow starts if you bought supplies for both of you. You’ll save a TON of money, and help them, too. (NOTE: they should already know what they’re doing. Growing starts is hard work.)
• For a bit more work, plan a seed swap. Connect with gardeners online or at the local public garden, and pick a date that makes sense. Invite people to bring surplus seeds no more than one year old. Set up a table and have small envelopes and sharpies to divide and label seeds. If you wind up with a bunch of extras…put them on a buy nothing group after the event!
• Maybe you’ve tried all those things and you’re ready to build a seed library! This will take a significant initial investment of effort, and then there will be ongoing maintenance tasks, so try to recruit a few people to help. The Seed Library Network has a map and deep information about topics like seed saving, but the site can be a little hard to navigate. The Free Seed Library has just what you need to get started with the basics.