OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Master Gardeners established a garden seed library for gardeners in 2021 to encourage fellow gardeners to try new crops and varieties of vegetables and flowers and have added new seed for 2024.  It is housed at the Mahaska County Extension Office.  To access the seed library, please visit the Extension office during business hours (M-F 8 am-4:30 pm) or attend a Mahaska County Master Gardener event.

All the seeds within the library are intact packages and repackaged seeds from store and seed company’s donation programs and seeds donated from fellow gardeners.  All seeds in the library are less than three years old, many open pollinated.

Fellow gardeners are encouraged and welcome to donate seeds (less than 3 year old) for crops and varieties they love to produce to the seed library, even if the package(s) are opened or they are saved seed.  The type and variety/cultivar needs to be identified.  Please contact the Extension Office to donate seeds.

Gardeners who utilize the seed library are encouraged to complete the paperwork indicating the type of seeds they are seeking.  This will help the Master Gardeners know which seeds are sought.  In addition to seed, the Master Gardeners have supplied the library with information for beginning gardeners.