Thank you for considering donating seeds to the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library – we really appreciate it! We need your help to continue creating interconnected habitats!
Each fall, the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library hosts a series of free native seed giveaways. The seeds that are given away at these events are donated to the library by community members who have collected them from their own gardens, reflecting the library’s values of reciprocity.
You can donate seeds to the library at any of our events throughout the year or they can be dropped off at locations across the city.
Find information below for collecting and donating seeds to the library.
*The library only accepts fresh seeds. For example, we are currently only accepting seeds harvested in this calendar year.
**If you live outside of the Ottawa area and have previously received seeds that were mailed by the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library, please do not share seeds by mailing them to us. We prefer that you share your seeds locally in your community.
Step 1: Confirm we are looking for the species you wish to donate
First step, please confirm that the seed library is looking for the species you wish to donate. We only accept seeds that are recognized as native by VASCAN. You can put the English or latin name in the search engine to confirm it is indeed native to Ontario.
To know if we are accepting these seeds, please go to the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library catalogue, go to the search page, put the name of the species in, and then check the seed and plant distribution status section.
If you do not find the species in the catalogue, it means that we have not yet offered it. You can send the seed library an email at info@wildflowerseedlibrary.ca to create a new label for your species.
Step 2: Confirm that the seeds are straight species and not cultivars
Second step is to confirm that the seeds are not cultivars, and that they are the straight species. You can know that they are straight species by knowing the origin of your plants. On the label, there should not be any name is quotation mark next to the latin name. If there is, it is a cultivar and the seed library will not accept it. We have a list of trusted sources on our website to help.
Step 3: Harvesting seeds
Third step is to learn when to harvest the seeds. You can learn about when to harvest the seeds by looking up the species in the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library catalogue, go to the search engine, put the name of the species in, and then check the harvesting section for instructions.
Step 4: Seed donation form
Fourth step is to fill in the seed donation form with information about the seeds you are donating.
Step 5: Pack your seeds or donate them unpacked
Fifth step is to pack the seeds yourself, or donate the seeds unpacked. If you have time and energy, we appreciate receiving packed seeds. To find the quantities to put in each envelope, as well as the label to attach to the seed the envelope, you can go to the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library catalogue, go the the search engine, put the name of the species in, and then check the harvesting section to ge the quantity, as well as the sowing information section to get the label.
We have seed packing kits we can lend you for packing your seeds. You can pick up a seed packing kit in Alta Vista, Barrhaven, Kanata, Nepean and Orléans. To get the address for the location closest to you, please email the seed library at info@wildflowerseedlibrary.ca.
Step 6: Drop off your seed donation
Sixth step is to donate your seeds, along with your donation form. We will accept packed and unpacked seeds. You can drop your seeds off at any of our events, or at your local drop off area in Alta Vista, Barrhaven, Kanata, Nepean and Orléans. To get the address, please email the seed library at info@wildflowerseedlibrary.ca.
Thanks for your help! We really appreciate your donations.