FAQ: Seed Library

Our seed library thrives on participation and sharing. In the frequently asked questions below, you’ll find answers to questions about the seed library, borrowing, growing, and returning seeds. Whether you’re borrowing seeds for the first time or already have experience, the FAQ will help you quickly find the most important information.

1. What is a seed library?
   A seed library works like a normal library – except that you borrow seeds instead of books. You grow plants from the borrowed seeds, harvest delicious vegetables, for example, and let some of the plants produce seeds. You then bring the seeds back, creating a sustainable cycle.
   
   
2. How does borrowing and returning seeds work?
   You choose seeds from our selection and borrow them just like a regular book from the library. At home, you plant the seeds and care for the plants until they are big and strong. Then you can enjoy delicious vegetables or take in the beauty of the flowers. As described in our instructions, seeds are harvested from part of the crop so they can be used the following year. To bring the cycle full circle, please return some of your seeds to the library at the end of the season.
   
   
3. Do I have to be a member, or is there a fee?
   All students and staff at the university can use the seed library with their ID/Employee Card, just like the regular library. You do not need an additional membership. External persons need a library card to check out materials.
   
   
4. What are the advantages of a seed library compared to buying seeds?
   You save money, learn new things about plants and seeds, and support the conservation of, for example, heirloom varieties and biodiversity. In addition, you’ll be part of a community that will flourish and share ideas over time.
   
   
5. Can I use the seed library even if I don’t have any gardening experience?
   Yes, of course! We welcome anyone who would like to join our library! On our website, you’ll find various fact sheets with information on growing and caring for plants, as well as helpful tips & tricks. You don’t need to be Alan Titchmarsh to be a successful grower.
   
   
6. Do I need my own garden to participate?
   No! We offer special varieties that are well-suited to students’ living situations and can also be grown easily on a balcony or windowsill. Radishes, for example, don’t take up much space, or compact tomato varieties for that matter.
   
   
7. What kinds of seeds are available?
   We offer open-pollinated varieties of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. You can find the varieties here. Over time, we’ll be adding more varieties, so please feel free to contact us with any requests.
   
   
8. Can I borrow as many seeds as I want?
   The seeds are already pre-portioned and packaged. To ensure that as many people as possible can participate in our library, only one bag per type of vegetable may be borrowed. In total, each person may borrow 2 bags per season.
   
   
9. How long can I keep the seeds?
   You should grow the plants during the same season and, if possible, return the seeds at the end of the season. There is no specific deadline, but the cycle only works if the seeds are returned on time.
   
   
10. Do I have to return the seeds?
    Yes, that’s the whole point of the concept: Please bring back some of the seeds you’ve harvested so that others can use them. To ensure the long-term preservation of the seed library, everyone should return more seeds than they borrowed.
    
    
11. What should I do if I was able to recover only a few seeds – or none at all?
    No problem! Just bring whatever you have. Even small quantities are valuable to the library. If you were unable to do so, please let the library know.
    
    
12. Can I donate seeds I’ve collected myself?
    Currently, we only accept seeds from varieties that are available for loan through our program. If you have a special variety in your garden and would like to donate seeds, please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to see if we can add that variety to our library.
    
    
13. Why is it important to use open-pollinated seeds?
    Open-pollinated varieties can be grown for generations. F1 hybrids are reliable only once and may exhibit different traits in the next generation.
    
    
14. How can I promote biodiversity?
    Plant a variety of species, such as flowering plants that attract insects. In addition to flowers, we also offer seeds from native wild plants that are particularly valuable for biodiversity.
    
    
15. What should you do if seeds don’t germinate or other problems arise?
    Not every planting attempt is successful. Check the light, soil, and moisture levels. Otherwise, you can also find out more about the variety you’ve borrowed in our variety profiles.
    
    
16. Can I return damaged seeds?
    We only accept healthy, viable seeds. Please dispose of or compost any damaged seeds.
    
    
17. Who can I contact if I have questions?
    Organizational matters: If you have general questions about borrowing materials or the library’s procedures, the staff at the library’s circulation counter will be happy to assist you.
    Regarding the seeds: If you’d like to participate in our project or suggest a new variety, please feel free to speak with the staff at the library’s circulation counter. They can then contact Prof. Dr. Michael Kruse at michael.kruse@uni-hohenheim.de, who is involved in the project.
    
    
18. How can I stay up to date about new varieties or promotions?
    Through our website or the university’s newsletter