ABQ-BERNCO Seed Library

FAQS

What do I need to place a seed order?

You only need an Albuquerque Public library card. The card should be in good standing and not expired.

How do I place my order?

There are three options: visit a participating library location with a completed form and have them send it to us at the South Broadway branch, email it to us at southbroadway@cabq.gov, or come in and fill out the form in person.

Can I place my order at any library?

Only one of the eight participating locations—listed on the request form—may accept orders. Once you have filled out the form, the location of your choosing will email or fax it to us so we can get started on filling the request.

Can you send my order to any library?

We can only send your order to one of the eight locations specified in the request form.

Do you take phone orders?

Unfortunately, we do not accept telephone orders. To keep track of the order you want to place, we ask that you fill out the form in person or send it via email or fax.

Do I have to return my seeds?

Although you must use your library card to “check out” the seeds, you are not required to return them. If you are a gardener who saves seeds from your harvest, please bring them to one of our Seed Swap events.

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What do the seeds come in?

The seeds are packaged in envelope packets and labeled with a sticker that includes information about planting, germination, recommended sunlight, and the name of the seed provider.

How many seed packets can I get?

You may check out up to 30 seed packets per calendar year, 1 packet per variety. However, some donated seeds listed on the request form do not count toward your 30.

What do you mean by “variety”?

By variety we mean the specific seed itself. For example, we offer many different types of radishes and each individual one is considered a variety. You can have one packet of each of those varieties but not multiples of one particular variety. To give you an idea, you can have one packet of Cherry Belle Radish, one packet of Easter Egg II radish and one packet of Red Head radish. But we cannot give you 2 Packets of Cherry Belle Radish, 4 Packets of Easter Egg II radish and 3 Packets of Red Head radish.

Can I have more than one packet of each variety?

Only one packet of each variety is allowed. This is the best way we have found to keep access to the seed library as fair as possible.

Do I have to get all 30 packets right away?

The choice is yours! Some customers choose to spread their orders out over the year, while others split 15 in the spring and 15 in the fall to match our purchase orders, and still others order all 30 at once. Everyone has different needs.

I've used up my allotted 30. When can I order more?

All accounts are reset to zero at the start of the following year. You can start ordering seeds again at that time.

Are the seeds accessible year-round?

You can order from the seed library at any time during the year. While we make every effort to meet demand, some of the varieties we offer do run out on occasion. Make sure the date on the catalog request form is the most recent so you get exactly what you need.

Are the seeds organic?

Some seeds, excluding donated seeds, are open-pollinated, non-GMO, certified organic, untreated, and free of pesticides whenever possible.

Where do you purchase the seeds from?

The seeds in our inventory were purchased from Territorial Seed Company and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

Our donated seeds were generously purchased by a patron from Great Basin Seed Company and then given to us so that others could preserve our desert ecosystem. The native sunflowers were donated to us from Bamert Seed Company Inc.