The HLMGA Seed Library



​We invite you to select up to 5 packets at a time to plant in your own garden, whether it is in the ground or in a container. Once the plants have grown, and then gone to seed, we ask that you collect the seeds and donate some back to the seed library.
That’s how it works!

The HLMGA Seed Library stands in the front hall at the Burnet AgriLife Building, 607 Vanderveer St. in Burnet.

It is accessible to the public
M-F 9-5pm, except for holidays.

A HUGE thank you to Backbone Valley Nursery for their generous donation of seeds, and to our members who are already donating seeds from their gardens.
Current Inventory, as of 9/23
hlmga_seed_library_sept_12_2023.pdf
File Size: 90 kb
File Type: pdf
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Seed Library - How-to's
seed_library_how-tos.pdf
File Size: 46 kb
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Check-out Form
hlmga_seed_library_check_out_form.pdf
File Size: 22 kb
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Donation Form
hlmga_seed_library_donation_form.pdf
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: pdf
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1. Save from healthy plants. Even if a disease does not get passed on through the seed, we do like to have some selection for disease resistance by only saving from healthy, strong plants.
2. In general, save from a number of plants so that the seed has some genetic diversity in it. The quantity that is optimum depends on the type of plant, for self-pollinating plants less plants are necessary, for cross pollinating you want to save from much a larger population (see seed saving resources).
3. If the plant cross pollinates you want to make sure you keep it isolated so it stays “true to type.” Check with a seed saving chart or book to get isolation distances.
4. Occasionally, we may save seed from a favorite plant that might not be from a large population of plants or isn’t super healthy, or maybe we like some interesting crosses that happened. You are welcome to bring those seeds in just make sure you clearly write on the label those relevant facts so others know they are participating in your experiment.

With gratitude to the Dallas Public Library for this great resource.

How to check out seeds

  • Read the reference book for information about the seeds - they are categorized (mostly) by level of difficulty in growing: Easy (Green sticker), Moderate (Blue sticker), and Difficult (Yellow sticker).
  • Select up to 5 packets at a time.
  • Fill out the check out form with the name of each plant/varietal and the number of each and place the check out form in the Admin-Bin. This is how we adjust the inventory.

Planting Guides

Download these great resources!
when_to_plant_vegetables_in_texas_print.pdf
File Size: 206 kb
File Type: pdf
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september_in_the_garden.pdf
File Size: 2039 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

How to donate seeds

  • Collect 10-20 seeds of the same varietal into an envelope. Seeds must be dry. See instructions on the HLMGA website on how to gather seeds, if needed.
  • Label the envelope with your name, the date, the plant and varietal, and any instructions for the next gardener.
  • Bring the donation packets to the HLMGA Seed Library, and fill out a donation form if possible with your contact information.

Additional Resources

More to come!