As the garden beds empty out and the last tomatoes come in, it's easy to feel like the growing season is behind us. But here at the Orleans Community Seed Share, that couldn't be further from the truth — we've just received a generous donation of over 11,000 seed packets, and the shelves and drawers of the seed library are now bursting with options. So even though the outdoor season is wrapping up, there's never been a better time to start planning the next one.
Come take a look and see what's waiting for you. We've got a fantastic selection of Vegetable, Ornamental, and Herb seeds to explore — and as you browse, keep an eye out for the light blue packets, which hold our perennial seeds. Perennials often need a much earlier start than annuals, and many benefit from winter sowing, where the seeds spend time outdoors in the cold before germinating in spring. Fall is the perfect time to set a few aside so you're ready to go when winter sowing season arrives.
While you're there, don't forget about our other seed source: the jars alongside the seed library, filled with locally grown, hand-harvested donations from fellow gardeners. We're always collecting more, so if you've saved seed from your own garden this year, we'd love to add it to the jars — it's one of the best ways to grow something truly suited to our own Orleans County conditions.
And if you're not willing to wait for spring at all, several of the newly donated seeds are perfect for starting right now on a sunny windowsill:
• Basil
• Chives
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Mint
• Lettuce and salad greens
• Arugula
• Spinach
• Cactus – yes cactus!
So even as the garden winds down outside, there's no reason the growing has to stop. Come see what's new at the seed library — your next season starts here!
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