Our purpose is to provide a space for plant enthusiasts to access and exchange seeds for free. We hope to increase accessibility to gardening, and raise awareness of seed saving and sourcing issues in our agricultural system. We also strive to provide access to seeds from native plants.
Location
We are located outside the Campus Environmental Center office in the Student Services Building (SSB 1.302), in the east atrium. Come visit us during building hours!
Building Hours: Mon – Fri, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sat – Sun, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Parking: Paid on-street parking is available on University Avenue and Wichita Street. Enforced Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is free outside of those times.
Partnerships
We are a distribution location for the Native Plant Rescue Project, which provides local ecotype seeds ethically collected from imminent development in Central Texas. Our Seed Librarians lead native plant seed walks around campus, collecting seeds from nursery natives maintained by UT Grounds and Landscaping. In addition, we also save seeds from crops grown at the UT Microfarm and occasionally will have seeds from UT Farmstand and home gardeners. The selection is ever changing! Email microfarm@utenvironment.org with any specific questions about stock.
Donating Seeds
We accept all types of open pollinated seeds, both agricultural and native. If you would like to donate seeds, please drop them by the donation box at our location or mail them to us! If you are donating seeds you have personally harvested, please include some basic information about your seeds written on the packet or attached with your seeds. Basic information should include name/variety of plant, general harvest location (county, state), and harvest date. You are welcome to add addition notes if you would like.
Even if you are not affiliated with UT, we welcome your donations and you can mail us seeds at the address listed below:
Student Services Building
100 W. Dean Keeton St., Rm. 1.302
Mail Code: A6600
Austin, TX 78712
History
The UT Seed Library was started as a collaborative project between UT Microfarm, UT Farmstand, and UT Landscape Services in 2020-21. The three-panel artwork and many of the Zines were done by Sylvia Asuncion-Crabb. The custom shelf was built by Tyler Davis after relocation from the UT Tower in Spring 2025. The project is currently managed by the Seed Librarians who are team members of the UT Microfarm.
Other Resources
Check out some additional resources that we’ve put together about seed saving!
Campus Environmental Center 