Soil Prep
I used a good quality potting mix that's made specifically for starting seeds. This one is very lightweight, and contains a mix of peat moss, vermiculite and organic plant food.
After pouring the mix into a wheelbarrow, I added water until the soil was the consistency of crumbly brownie mix. An old Little Tikes garden trowel was perfect for mixing and scooping the potting mix.
Filling the seed cups
After punching drainage holes in the bottom of the egg cartons, I added potting mix, gently tamping it down into the cups to reduce air pockets, and give the seeds a warm, damp place to sprout.
Once the egg cartons were filled, I placed them in a waterproof tray.
Planting the seeds
Now the fun part! I opened each Seed Library packet and carefully poured the seeds into a small container. Since some of the seeds I selected are tiny, this made it easier not to lose them! Then I labeled the cartons for each seed variety, and used the labeling sticks to create a small hole for each seed. While I didn't know the preferred planting depth for every variety, I'd read that 1/4" to 1/2" is a good depth to use for most plants.
Carefully using the edge of the seed envelope, I dropped one seed into each hole, and brushed potting mix over the hole to close it.
The wait begins!
With all the seeds planted, I lightly watered once more, before covering the planting tray to trap the humidity. The soil needs to be kept at 60-70 degrees, so I have a warming mat underneath the planting tray to keep the seeds warm. The potting mix needs to be damp but not soggy, so I'll check it each day and water as needed.
Once the seeds sprout, it will be time to add the grow light.
Have your Seed Library seeds sprouted yet? Share your progress on the AAPLD FB page!
Giant delphinium
We’ll plant our Seed Library sunflowers on the east side of our house, where they’ll get lots of morning sun. With luck, they’ll be tall enough to see from inside the front porch.
And unrelated to the Seed Library, but still pretty cool, our lilac bush has buds!
prepare for growing season! Learn more about the 
I picked up our seeds today. We have Morning Glories, Moonflowers, Delphinium, Bee Balm, Asters, and one of my favorites, Sunflowers. My husband Tom and I discussed where we'll plant the flowers in our gardens, and how many seeds we'll be starting indoors--36. As a kid, I remember starting seeds in cardboard egg cartons. Though I haven't tried it in a really long time, we're going to this year! Time to eat more eggs.
We're currently offering over 75 varieties of vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seeds. Choose annuals, which are planted each year, or perennials, which return year after year. You'll find heirloom vegetables, such as the Oxheart and Mortgage Lifter tomatoes, Dixie Queen watermelons and White Icicle radishes. Favorites like pumpkins, mixed color carrots, and various types of green beans can turn this summer's garden into a family project. Brighten your landscaping with colorful Four O'Clocks, and the beautiful, exotic Passion Flower. Add color to your home with classic cutting flowers like zinnia and sunflowers.
While we love the name "Seed Library," it's not a library in the traditional sense. You don't need a library card, nor do you have to return seeds from your personal harvest-- though if you want to send a photo of your garden, or your harvest, we'd love to post it! If you can't use all your seeds this year, no problem! Store unused seeds in their packets in an airtight glass jar, and keep it in a cool dark place like your basement or garage, until you're ready to plant.
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