The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is happy to make available its seed library during the spring for the enjoyment of gardening while enabling pollinators, such as monarch butterflies, to thrive. Our grounds staff and Master Gardener volunteers harvest seeds from our plants and do all of the cold stratification, processing, and sorting to prepare the seed library and keep it stocked.
Who may take the seeds?
Our seeds are for residents who live in our six-county focus area: Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton, and Washington counties.
Where is the seed library located?
You can find it on the far east side of our museum grounds by Spring Creek across right along the Razorback Greenway. If you can locate our 1850s Ritter-McDonald Log Cabin and 1930s Cartmell Outhouse, you should be able to find the seed library.
What kind of seeds do you have?
We have a wide variety that are in constant rotation with many native to the Ozarks. What we have today could change next week or even the same day. Examples of the kind of seeds you might find in our library include swamp milkweed, mountain mint, marigold, sunflower, cosmos, inland sea oats, and more!
Do you have fruit and vegetable seeds?
No.
Are the seeds cold-stratified?
Yes. Any seeds that require cold-stratification have gone through the process and are ready to plant.
When is the best day or time to get the best selection?
We replenish the seed library when needed, so there is no set routine. Just keep checking!
I’m not sure how to plant and care for my seeds. Would you also provide instructions?
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Missouri Botanical Garden websites have reliable gardening instructions for all kinds of plants.
I have seeds I don’t need. May I leave them at the library?
Please don’t. Though we call it a seed “library,” think of it as more like a pantry for seeds where people take what they need.
How long will the seed library be available?
Typically throughout the spring, but it could close early if our seed inventory is depleted.
I really appreciate the Shiloh Museum providing this service. How can I show my appreciation?
Please consider a financial donation or, even better, becoming a Shiloh Museum member. After getting your seeds, feel free to visit our main museum building, where we keep a donation box near the entrance (plus, we think you will enjoy our exhibits). You can also make a donation or secure a membership online.
To make a financial donation, click here.
To become a Shiloh Museum member, click here.