Seed Library
Welcome Back Spring by Checking Out the Eight Seed Varieties at the 2023 Seed Library!
The T.B. Scott Free Library will once again be checking out heirloom seeds for FREE to library card holders. Seed varieties for this year include:
- Genovese Basil
- Bouquet Dill
- Tiger’s Eye Bean
- King of the North Pepper
- A & C Pickling Cucumber
- Sunflower Mix
- Outhouse Hollyhock
- Empress of India Nasturtium
The principle behind the seed library is simple: library patrons check out their choice of seeds, enjoy the growing season all summer long, then “return” a portion of the seeds that they collect from their fall harvest so that those seeds can be used for next year’s crop of seed borrowers. Borrowers are free – and encouraged – to keep the bulk of the seeds they collect so as to have them for the next year’s planting. All of the seeds chosen come from the Seed Saver’s Exchange, an Iowa-based non-profit whose goal is to preserve and promote plant diversity in home gardens.
If you prefer curbside pickup, request your seeds by calling 715-536-7191.
Explore the eight different varieties of seeds available this year
Genovese Basil
This classic large-leaved Italian sweet basil, prized for its flavor and heady aroma, is a top pick for many cooks when making pesto. Fragrant plants grow 18-24″ and produce densely branched plants when pinched back regularly. Can be chopped and frozen in olive oil for winter use. Annual.
Bouquet Dill
This widely grown dill variety is a prolific producer of edible flowers, leaves, and seeds, all of which can be used for flavoring everything from pickles and salads to sauces and condiments.
Tiger's Eye Bean
Wonderfully rich flavor and smooth texture. Very tender skins almost disappear when cooked. Great for chili or refried beans. Can also be used as fresh shell beans. Productive 24″ plants. Bush habit, shell or dry.
King of the Noth Pepper
A great bell pepper for northern gardeners where the seasons are cool and short. Blocky uniform fruits are excellent for stuffing or fresh eating. Great sweet flavor.
A & C Pickling Cucumbers
niformly straight 10″fruits hold their darkgreen color for a long time. Very productive and a good choice for pickling, as the name suggests. Excellent variety for home or market gardens. Best picked when 4-6″long.
Sunflower Mix
A mixture of species and forms!
Outhouse Hollyhock
This classic variety has graced outbuildings on Iowa farmsteads for over a century. Years ago, refined ladies just looked for the hollyhocks and didn’t have to ask where the outhouse was. Single blooms of white, light pink, magenta, and burgundy. Blooms the second year in the North or first year in more moderate climates. Self-seeding biennial, 6-9′ tall.
Empress of India Nasturtium
This classic Victorian nasturtium has dark bluegreen foliage and brilliant crimson flowers on 12-14″ plants. This variety has been grown in the United States since the 1890s, and today it is perfect for everyone’s favorite contemporary gardening method: containers. Beyond the garden, the edible flowers and leaves can add style and color to plates as a garnish—or as a peppery addition to salads and pastas. Hardy annual.
Produce photos and seed information courtesy of Seed Savers Exchange
Explore the eight different varieties of seeds available this year. (Hover over each image for details)
Genovese Basil
This classic large-leaved Italian sweet basil, prized for its flavor and heady aroma, is a top pick for many cooks when making pesto. Fragrant plants grow 18-24″ and produce densely branched plants when pinched back regularly. Can be chopped and frozen in olive oil for winter use. Annual.
Tiger's Eye Bean
Wonderfully rich flavor and smooth texture. Very tender skins almost disappear when cooked. Great for chili or refried beans. Can also be used as fresh shell beans. Productive 24″ plants. Bush habit, shell or dry.
Bouquet Dill
This widely grown dill variety is a prolific producer of edible flowers, leaves, and seeds, all of which can be used for flavoring everything from pickles and salads to sauces and condiments.
King of the North Pepper
A great bell pepper for northern gardeners where the seasons are cool and short. Blocky uniform fruits are excellent for stuffing or fresh eating. Great sweet flavor.
Sunflower Mix
A mixture of species and forms!
A & C Pickling Cucumbers
niformly straight 10″fruits hold their dark-green color for a long time. Very productive and a good choice for pickling, as the name suggests. Excellent variety for home or market gardens. Best picked when 4-6″long.
Outhouse Hollyhock
This classic variety has graced outbuildings on Iowa farmsteads for over a century. Single blooms of white, light pink, magenta, and burgundy. Blooms the second year in the North or first year in more moderate climates. Self-seeding biennial, 6-9′ tall.
Empress of India Nasturtium
This classic Victorian nasturtium has dark blue-green foliage and brilliant crimson flowers on 12-14″ plants. Beyond the garden, the edible flowers and leaves can add style and color to plates as a garnish—or as a peppery addition to salads and pastas. Hardy annual.
Produce photos and seed information courtesy of Seed Savers Exchange
Recommended Resources Available at Your Library
Container Gardening for the Midwest
by William Aldrich and Don Williamson with Alison Beck and Laura Peters
Instant Container Gardens
by Pamela Crawford
Gardening with Heirloom Seeds
by Lynn Coulter
Vertical Gardening
by Derek Fell
Starting from Seed
by Jack Kramer
T.B. Scott Free Library
106 West First Street
Merrill, WI 54452
Telephone (715) 536 - 7191
Monday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday: Closed