Use the seed library

Our seed library is for gardeners who want to grow and save seeds. It’s a great way to:

• introduce some locally-hardy plants into your garden;
• grow for seed saving; or
• try something new in your garden.

Our seed library is not intended to be your sole source for seeds, so seed packets contain smaller amounts than what you would purchase. You can borrow seeds at any time of year.

1. Browse the list of available seeds through the links above.
2. Email emrlibrary@gov.yk.ca with a list of seeds you want. You can choose up to 10 packets of seeds per season.
3. We will prepare them in advance for you.
4. Visit the Energy, Mines and Resources Library. We are located at 335-300 Main Street in Whitehorse. The library is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
5. Sign up for an EMR Library account (bring a piece of Yukon ID).
6. Borrow seeds with your library account. You can borrow up to 10 packets of seeds each season.
7. Start planting.
8. When your plants go to seed, harvest the seeds and return those to the library.

Returning seeds helps replenish the collection for other gardeners. This helps the seed library become self-sufficient.

You can bring seeds to the Energy Mines and Resources Library at any time of year. We will not fine you if you don't return any seeds.

We'd like you to bring in seeds from the plants you grew from seeds from our library. But, we will accept any open-pollinated or heirloom seeds you want to donate.

How to donate your seeds

1. Dry and clean your seeds.
2. Place them in an envelope or a plastic bag.
3. Bring the seeds to the Energy, Mines and Resources library. We are located at 335-300 Main Street in Whitehorse. The library is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
4. When you bring your seeds to the library we will ask you:
   • the type of seed;
   • the year you collected it;
   • the source of the original seeds, if known; and
   • your tips on successful growing conditions.

We pass this information on to gardeners who borrow your seeds.

Locally grown vegetable seeds

• Arugula
• Bok Choi
• Broccoli
• Mustard (Mizuna)
• Onion (Perennial bunching, Welsh onion)
• Orach (Red orach)
• Peas, shelling
• Peas, snap
• Peas, soup (Mozart)
• Squash (spaghetti, "mom's" heirloom)

Other vegetable seeds

• Artichoke (Green globe improved)
• Arugula (Astro)
• Beans, bush (Strike)
• Beans, pole (Purple peacock)
• Beans, wax (Carson)
• Beets (Early wonder tall top)
• Broccoli (Calabrese)
• Broccoli raab (Zamboni raab)
• Cabbage (Early Jersey Wakefield)
• Carrot (Scarlet Nantes, Royal Chantenay, Yellowstone)
• Cauliflower (Early snowball)
• Collards (Vates)
• Cucumber (Marketmore, Early fortune)
• Kale (Improved Siberian, Red Ursa)
• Kohlrabi (Purple vienna)
• Leeks (Alto varna)
• Lettuce (Buttercrunch head, Grand rapids leaf)
• Peas, shelling (Early fortune, Little marvel)
• Peas, snap (Sugar snap)
• Peas, soup (Golden edible, Swedish red)
• Peppers, hot (Hungarian hot wax, Pepperoncini)
• Pumpkin (Lady godiva)
• Radish (French breakfast, Rivoli)
• Spinach (Monstreux de Viroflay)
• Squash (Table king acorn)
• Swiss Chard (Rhubarb, Flamingo pink)
• Tomato (Stupice, Manitoba, Early Tanana)
• Turnip (Goldana, Purple top white globe)
• Zucchini (Black beauty)

Locally grown flower, herb and grain seeds

• Angelica
• Arnica
• Barley (Himalayan)
• Borage
• Calendula
• Chamomile, German
• Chamomile, wild
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Columbine (Red/yellow, White, Blue, Pink)
• Corn (Ashworth)
• Cress
• Crocus, prairie
• Delphinium
• Dill (Mammoth dill, Regular dill)
• Fireweed
• Iris
• Lupine
• Maltese cross
• Marigold
• Nasturtium
• Peppergrass
• Phacelia
• Plantain
• Poppy (Purple, Icelandic, Red)
• Quinoa
• Roseroot
• Sour cherry
• Tobacco
• Valerian
• Yarrow
• Yellow rocket

Other flower, herb and grain seeds

• Amaranth
• Barley (6 row purple)
• Basil (Genovese basil)
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Lemon balm
• Lovage
• Mallow, common
• Mallow, musk
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Quinoa
• Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
• Shiso
• Sorrel
• Thyme
• Woad