Start Sowing Your Home Garden with CSM’s Free Seed Library

Plant native seeds this fall for a bright spring bloom with the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Seed Box, a free resource for students, faculty, staff, and community members to start their own gardens and sustain the region’s native plants.   

Located within the Lorraine Diana ’79 and Robert Guite Learning Resource Center (LR Building), The Seed Box is stocked with donated and collected seeds from vegetables, herbs, flowers, and native plants. Visitors can select the seeds they want by completing an order form and bringing it to the library’s front desk.  

Maddie Kaba, CSM library assistant and Seed Box Coordinator, said the program makes gardening more accessible while encouraging visitors to explore the benefits of growing native plants. 

“The Seed box is an easy way for people to try growing their own flowers or food and learn about the plants in our local ecosystem,” Kaba said. “Everyone who participates creates their own sense of community as they share seeds and contribute to the growth of native plants beyond campus.” 

The Seed Box was established in spring 2025 by biology professor Dr. Tracey Stuller with support from Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to native plant advocacy and education. Since then, volunteers have helped to distribute more than 2,000 seed packets.  

Going beyond providing access to seeds, the Seed Box also contributes to CSM’s participation in the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership Bird Campus network, which recognizes the college’s commitment to protecting the local ecosystem. 

“Native plants provide food and habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife,” Stuller said. “The Seed Box helps raise awareness and encourages the community to participate in strengthening our ecosystem.” 

The Seed Box is sustained by donated seeds, materials, and other resources. Student volunteers can participate by collecting seeds from the CSM pollinator gardens, cleaning them, and helping prepare for distribution. Volunteers can also help by making packets out of recycled envelopes.  

“We’re able to keep the program growing thanks to the help of volunteers and supporters who donate seeds,” Kaba said. “It’s encouraging to see the enthusiasm of participants who want to expand access across the community.”  

Visitors are encouraged to come back and donate seeds from what they planted to replenish the Seed Box and keep the program growing.  

The Seed Box is open year-round, excluding one month between each season (February, May, August, and November) for restocking. Visitors can pick up seeds once per season for a maximum of five packets. Volunteers also help expand access to seeds through tabling community events. On Sunday, Dec. 6, the Seed Box will be at the Southern Maryland Audubon Society’s Holiday Craft Fair. The event takes place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Thomas Stone High School and will feature more than 100 local crafters, art vendors, and local conservation groups.  

The Seed Box website has more information about the library and growing tips, including how to start sowing winter seeds.