CBRL is giving library members high-quality vegetable and edible flower seeds to start their own gardens.
This program will resume in April 2027.
Each household can take up to ten seed packets (one per variety).
Starting April 8 2026 you can pick up seeds at the following libraries:
- Baddeck
- Glace Bay
- Ingonish
- Louisbourg
- New Waterford
- North Sydney
- Sydney
2026 Seed Catalogue
2026 Seed Catalogue
The Cape Breton Regional Library is proud to offer community members free access to high-quality vegetable seeds. The CBRL Seed Library started six years ago with funding from the Province of Nova Scotia. CBRL thanks the Province of Nova Scotia for continuing to fund initiatives focused on improving food security and social determinants.
Seeds are available to all residents of Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Victoria County with a Cape Breton Regional Library Card, while supplies last. Library cards are always free: to sign up, visit your local branch or apply online.
Seed Library stations can be found at seven library branches: Baddeck, Glace Bay, Ingonish, Louisbourg, New Waterford, North Sydney, and Sydney. Each household may take one packet of up to 10 different seed varieties, for a total of 10 packets per household.
Many thanks to the staff at the Halifax Seed Company and Michelle Smith of Seeds of Diversity, Cape Breton, for their seeds, guidance, and support, and to all of our volunteer seed packagers for their hard work.
BEANS
Beans:
Beans are high in fibre, iron and essential minerals and form a complete protein when eaten with
grains. Easy to grow, beans also benefit your garden by converting nitrogen from the air into a form
usable by plants.
Growing Tips: Plant beans in well-drained soil after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds 2.5cm (1″) deep, 4 cm (1 ½”) apart, in rows 50cm (20″) apart. For a continual harvest of fresh beans, plant new rows every 10 days until mid-July. An application of Garden Legume Inoculant will offer increased yields. Avoid contact with bean plants when they are damp to prevent the spread of fungal diseases (Halifax Seed, 2021).
COMPANION FLOWERS
Borage (edible & attracts pollinators)
Borage is an easy to grow annual with large fuzzy leaves that have a cucumber flavour. The blue flowers can be used to add colour and taste to drinks and salads. Borage deters hornworm and cabbage worms, and is particularly useful planted near tomatoes and strawberries. Plant directly in ground after last frost. Seed depth 0.5-1cm (¼”-½”).
CUCUMBERS
Cucumber: Cucumbers thrive in warm humid weather. Their cool and juicy fruit is extremely refreshing and may be enjoyed sliced fresh, tossed in salads or preserved as pickles. As cucumbers mature relatively quickly, they are an ideal crop for cool gardens.
Growing Tips: Sow seeds indoors in peat pots and set out in sunny location when all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 18 to 21°C (65 to 70°F). To prevent transplant shock do not disturb the roots when transplanting. A layer of landscape fabric around the roots will encourage larger yields by suppressing weed growth and conserving soil heat and moisture. If seeding directly outdoors, sow seeds 4 cm (1 ½”-2”) apart, planting them about 0.5 to 1cm (¼” – ½”) deep. In small gardens conserve space by growing cucumbers vertically on a trellis (Halifax Seed, 2021).
LETTUCE
Lettuce: Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow and does exceptionally well in our cool Maritime climate! To enjoy garden fresh salads from late spring to the end of autumn, plant several varieties and continue to sow seed every few weeks.
Growing Tips: Lettuce is very hardy and may be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in early spring. Seed may also be sown indoors 4 to 5 weeks prior to planting. If direct seeding, sow seeds about 2cm (1”) apart, 3-5mm (1/8”– ¼”) deep, spacing the rows 30-45cm (12-28”) apart (Halifax Seed, 2021).
PEAS
Peas: Peas have a high protein content and are a significant source of Vitamins.
Growing Tips: A cool weather crop that should be planted in early spring as soon as the garden has thawed and the soil is workable. Sow seeds 1-2cm (½”-1)” apart in 10-15cm (4-6”) wide double rows that are spaced 60cm (24”) apart. Place a support trellis between the rows and do not thin the emerging seedlings. Fertilize at planting time with a fertilizer high in phosphorous and potassium (Halifax Seed, 2021).
RADISH
Radish: Radishes are a fast-growing cool weather crop with brightly coloured roots packed with iron and potassium. As they are so quick to grow, radishes are often used in the garden as a row marker for slower germinating crops.
Growing Tips: Sow seed directly outside as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. For a continual harvest, re-seed every 7 to 10 days throughout the growing season, planting seeds about 2cm (1”) apart, 6 mm (¼”) deep in rows spaced 30cm (12”) apart. Thin the seedlings to 4cm (1.5”) (Halifax Seed, 2021).
Spinach
A hardy crop, spinach thrives in the cool weather of spring and autumn. Spinach is an excellent source of Vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, protein and dietary fiber.
Growing tips: Spinach germinates best in cool soil. Plant the seed as soon as the ground can be worked in early spring. A soil pH of 6.5 to 7.4 is ideal. Fall crops may be seeded in late July through August. Plant seeds 2cm (1”) apart, 6mm (¼”) deep in rows spaced 30-45cm (12-18”) apart. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them to 8cm (3”). Harvest spinach early as plants will bolt (Halifax Seed, 2025).
SQUASH & ZUCCHINI
Squash: There are two main types of squash. Summer squash grow on bush vines, have thin tender skin and are best eaten when still immature. They can be enjoyed in many ways, such as stir-fried, sautéed or barbecued. Winter squash grow on vigorous vines and are left on the plants to mature. Their skins are thick, hard and inedible, but allow them to be stored for long periods of time.
Growing Tips: Zucchini are big, fast-growing plants need plenty of moisture and lots of food. Grow them in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. One well-grown plant will provide enough fruits for the average family.
TOMATO
Tomatoes: Native to the Americas, the tomato is an excellent source of Vitamin C, iron and protein. In Northern gardens, it is important to grow varieties which ripen before the autumn frosts.
Growing Tips: Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last spring frost. A soil temperature around 24°C will help encourage quick germination. Ensure that seedlings receive plenty of light to prevent them from becoming tall and leggy. To harden off the plants, set them outside during the day, bringing them back indoors at night when the temperature drops. Tomatoes love rich soil, so work generous amount of well-rotted manure or compost, and some garden lime to help prevent rot, into the soil before planting. Once all risk of frost has passed, plant the transplants in containers or in the garden, deep enough to cover the base of the stem if leggy, and spacing them 60-90cm (24-36”) apart (Halifax Seed, 2021).
Happy Gardening!