I was the lucky recipient of 3 art pack seeds from the Hudson Valley Seed Library. Click here to learn about the seed library. These delightfully designed art pack seeds were presented to me by my Master Gardener volunteer friend, Ginna. It was a surprise and very much appreciated gift.
The front of the seed packages
The back of the seed packages
The following is from the seed library’s web site:
“The Seed Library grew out of a germ of an idea at a small town library in the Hudson Valley region of upstate New York. Over the past nine years, the idea has grown and blossomed into an online seed library focused on the Northeast and a full seed catalog for all gardeners. Today, the Seed Library has its own seed farm where open-pollinated seeds are grown, saved, and packed by hand. There are close to one thousand seed library members and thousands more buy our unique Art Packs and heirloom seeds every year. Seed Library gardeners can feel good about thier seeds because we care as much as you do about preserving genetic diversity and saving seed stories.”
Even their book marks (left, front; right, back) are unique (above left photo).
The seed library seed farm is about 1 hour north/west of where I live. Would so love the opportunity to visit the farm.
Every year the seed library commissions contemporary artists to interpret a distinctive selection of the heirloom varieties in their seed catalog. Click here to view the collection of art packs. (Seeds are also available in garden packs.)
The 3 art packs I received are as follows (click on photo to enlarge):
Shanghai Baby Bok Choi
Art by: Natalie Merchant
Natalie Merchant has earned the reputation as a songwriter of great quality and a compelling live performer. She calls the fertile Hudson Valley home, where she has been busy gardening and seed saving for 25 years.
Rosa Bianca Eggplant
Art by: Patricia Dominguez
Patricia Dominguez is a visual artist and naturalist. She researches the paradoxes that lie in the environmental systems of comtemporary society, using naturalism to reconnect people to their natural spaces.
Panther Edamame
Art by: Jessica Pollak
Jessica Pollak is an illustrator obsessed with food, travel and patterns. She spends her days in her Providence, RI, studio creating art that is cute, funky, fresh and with a sense of humor.
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Finally got around to starting some of my seeds on Saturday, March 2. Hoping to start the Rosa Bianca eggplant and other seeds this week.
Salad scallion, Chinese celery and Ping Tung eggplant
You probably noticed, from the above photo, the 2 different colors of potting mix. The cell packs with red color potting mix are filled with cocoplug, the cell packs with black color potting mix are filled with pro-mix.
Couple years ago while walking through a local garden center, I came across 24-pack Jumpstart Cocoplugs on clearance for $1.00. I had wanted to experiment with cocoplugs, so could not pass up the bargain. Bought all that was available and shared with my garden friends.
Completely forgot I had the cocoplugs. Discovered them few days ago while decluttering.
These cocoplugs are amazing. The diameter of each is the size of a US quarter (see above left photo, the shiny round thing is a US quarter) and height is ¾ inches. But when soaked in warm water each expands to completely fill one of the black cells.
I sowed Chinese celery in 2 6-cell packs, one with cocoplug the other with pro-mix. Sowed Ping Tung eggplant in 2 4-cell packs, again, one with cocoplug the other with pro-mix. (The other 6-cell pack is salad scallion.)
Will there be any differences in the germination and the overall health of the seedlings?When I have the results at a later date and I will let you know.
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Copyright © by Norma Chang. All Rights Reserved. Do not use/repost any photos and/or articles without permission.
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Garden to Wok 
What a colorful package of the seed. I’m looking forward to seeing the vegetables at your garden this year.
Hello Cocomino,
Yes, the packages are very colorful, each is by a different artist.
Those are the most beautiful seed packs I have seen.
🙂 Mandy
Hello Mandy,
I know you would appreciate the art work of each pack.
Dear Norma,
These artworks are beautiful. I didn’t get the panther edamame until I looked at the back of the packages and realise they are black in colour! How unique!
Hello Chopin,
They are so beautiful, each pack is by a different artist.
Wonderful introduction to the Hudson Valley Seed Library, and love the idea of combining sesame oil and winter squash!
Hello Leduesorelle,
Glad to have the opportunity to introduce the organization. It lacks to budget to advertise so feel free to reblog.
I love Hudson Valley Seed Library! I like to buy seeds from them because most of their seeds are grown in New York state, so they are well adapted to our growing conditions in the Northeast. The art packs make such nice gifts too!
Hello Kate,
The art packs do make nice gifts. Unfortunately the HV Seed Library is not widely known, to help the organization, please feel free to replog this post.
The seed packets are beautiful! I’d did not know that Hudson Valley Seed Library existed….what a cool place, somewhere I’d like to visit if I am up in that area. I look forward to seeing updates on our little seedlings. I love to garden but with my RA, my mobility in the garden is limited unfortunately.
Nazneen
Hello Nazneen,
Yes, they are beautiful, to help the organization, feel free to replog this post.
Have you considered container gardening? Perhaps this would be your solution. I have “tiny/limited” knowledge about container gardening but would be happy to help if I can.
Those panther edamame are very interesting looking. Can’t wait to see what becomes of them!
Hello Barbie,
They are the black seed variety. Will write a post later.
I think growing seeds is an art and its just nice to see artistical seed packaging to match it:) Happy gardening season Norma!
Hello Anie,
Totally agree with you.
My mother sent me a couple of seed packs from the Hudson Valley Seed Library and not only did we love the packets, we really enjoyed the unusual varieties of veg (Dragon Tongue beans and Dpeckled Trout lettuce). I hope you get a chance to visit them and tell us all about it.
We are using coco plugs this year too. Just got ours last week, so no results yet, but I’m looking forward to comparing notes.
Hello GC,
I am sure the HV Seed Library will be very pleased to learn that their seeds found their way all across the ocean to Turkey. I hope I get a chance to visit the farm, checked out their web page but could not find how to contact.
Looking forward to comparing notes on the coco plugs.
How wonderful are those seed packets?! I love the art! So unique and beautiful! And, who knew Natalie Merchant was a visual artist? I’ve always loved her music 🙂
Hello Melissa,
The seed packets are gorgeous, I sure am saving them. Isn’t it wonderful to discover another side of a person that we admire?
I love to see seed libraries popping up. Can’t wait to see your harvests this summer.
Hello Shawn Ann,
I too am anxious to see the results but first I need the grounds to dry up a bit so I get into the garden and do some work.
What a lovely gift; the illustrations are quite beautiful and whimsical. It’s great that you were able to find those seed plugs so economically. I’ve done that before too, buying something on sale and them forgetting about it. Now I’m off to google Chinese celery; we’re big celery eaters in my house so a different variety would be lovely!
Hello Eva,
It was a lovely and totally unexpected gift.
I am sure you have seen Chinese celery especially if you visit the Asian markets around the Dundas/Spadina area. The leaves resembles regular celery leaves but the stalks are pencil-like and are hollow, much stronger celery aroma also. Can be a bit chewy in texture, always cooked.
Thanks Norma, I did google it but I’m not certain I’ve seen it. I’ll pay attention next time and I may even try it!
Those seed pack are so beautiful and whimsical too! Good luck with your seed starting.
Hello Michelle,
Thanks, I hope my seeds grow well. Yes, those seed pack are beautiful and whimsical.
The seed packages are so beautiful! I have to get some Chinese celery seeds too.
Hello Angie,
Yes, the seed packages are gorgeous, a work of art.
Such stunning packages my friend, I would buy it just for that 😉
Cheers
CCU
Hello Uru,
Many people do buy the seeds for the packages.
How cool is it to have such wonderful artwork on your seed library’s plants? (And Natalie Merchant….wow!) Our local seed library is considerably less fancy.
Hello Lisa,
It is cool. Had no idea Natalie Merchant was so well known.
I love your colorful new header Norma! Very happy and springy! We just planted some seeds for the kids that used those plugs. They were great and the plants are thriving (so far!). 🙂
Hello Kristy,
Thanks. What did you and the kids plant? Glad to hear they are thriving.
Wow that’s really interesting with a seed library 🙂 Chinese celery what’s that?
Hello Daisy,
I am sure you have eaten Chinese celery, the Chinese name is “qin cai” or “kan choy”.
I have never seen such beautiful seed packets. It would be tempting not to open them!
Hello Celia,
The seeds themselves are in a market pack so I am able to save the outer art covers.
I love the artistic interpretation of the seed names – such talent and beauty – and what fun!
Hello Laura,
I too found the interpretations interesting, so creative.
Methinks these seed packets would be opened here with extrme care and the remaining packet covers be framed and hung in the garden shed ) ! Beautiful!! Yes, used plugs like that aways back; must see whether I san source them again. Good luck with all your babies!!
Hello Eha,
Agree, the seeds packets are beautiful. I hope my “babies” do well, keeping an eye on them.
The packaging of those seeds are wonderful! So colorful and beautiful. Can’t wait to see how they grow and what you’ll make with them when you harvest!
Hello Tokyohamster,
I too am anxiously waiting for the results of those seeds. Will be a long wait. It is still winter where I am.
I’ll be interested in the results of your experiments. I love the idea of the seed library and those packets are fabulous aren’t they. A lovely way to become aware of local artists. I always enjoyed 10,000 Maniac’s music.
Hello Liz,
I will surely be posting the results at a later date. Yes, it is a great way for artists, local and otherwise to gain exposure.
This is a lovely post! I started my seedlings on ferbruary the 17th! Because there is a lot of sunshine in my garden at the moment & we have a microclimat in our garden too, it is + 10°C more then on the streets. It is today: 22°C! So, my 2 pumpkin plants are growing every day & my 2 green courgette plants too. My salad leaves are not succeeding very well but my radishes are growing bigger every day! Yeah! I love growing things from seeds too! 🙂
Hello Sophie,
Thanks. How lovely that you now have plenty of sunshine in your garden and a microclimate favorable to plants. I have to wait to start anymore seedlings as they will get leggy before the weather is warm enough for them to go outdoors.
Well…those seed packages are nothing like the ones you typically see in nurseries. these are beautiful and more like art than a packet. I’ll look forward to seeing what sprouts from these seeds xx
Hello Charlie,
They are art. I am sure each artist gave a great deal of thoughts to his/her work.
What a great gift and the packets are good enough to collect. They are striking! I’ve yet to start any seeds yet but have to take some time to sort things out. Despite today’s blizzard, Spring is on its way. 🙂
Hello John,
Yes, the packets are striking, each is by a different artist and it is obvious each gave their work lots of thoughts.
How much snow are you expecting? Sounds like the wet heavy kind, take care with the shovelling.
We’ve got 5 – 6 inches already and they say we may get another 3 or 4. I’ve got a small snowblower and will be heading out in a few minutes. I’ll be back out there tonight/tomorrow, for sure. 🙂
Hello John,
That’s a lot of wet heavy snow. Saturn is visiting sometime late today/tonight staying until tomorrow and may be Friday, not a welcome visit.
Baby bok choy is my youngest teenagers favorite vegetable simply stir fried with lots of garlic of course. happy planting!
Hello Bam,
And you are in the right city to get the freshest baby bok choy. Wish I was planting outdoor, but still winter here and expecting another winter storm tomorrow night.
I love the beautiful art on the seed packages. I’m really interested in your experiment on the seeds in starting in different planting mediums…I’m looking forward to how they do.
Hello Karen,
I knew you would love the art, it is obvious each artist gave his/her work much thoughts. I too am looking forward to the results.
Those seed packs are designed wonderfully. And just look at that bok choy. LOVE bok choy. I wish I could grow them
Hello Kay,
I knew you would appreciate the art works. That baby bok choy put a smile on my face.
Wow, those are some seed packets to live up to! They’re the prettiest I’ve seen and would be really cool framed. I remember Natalie from 10,000 Maniacs but had no idea she was such an accomplished visual artist and a seed saver, so interesting. I see you are off to a great start for your spring garden, Norma.
Hello Betsy,
I plan to frame them. Need to decide if I am going to frame them as a group or individually.
They’d make a cool and graphic display individually in small square frames, I think! 😉
Hello Betsy,
Thanks, I was leaning towards individual frames so am glad you think that would make a cool and graphic display.
Beautiful art on the packets. I’m going to have to start some of my seeds soon. I should have done it today, but got another project done instead.
Hello Daphne,
My favorite of is the baby bok choy. Hope you were able to get your seeds started, I need to get the others started also.
oh the seed packets are so gorgeous. so pretty and what a wonderful start for your spring garden! x
Hello Shuhan,
Yes, they are gorgeous, a beautiful and totally unexpected gift.
What gorgeous seed packs!
I bought a small block of coir or whatever they call that shredded coconut shell. It was at Home Depot, I think — very cheap. Added it to a buck with two gallons of water (I think–just followed the directions) and it swelled up and make the most beautiful, soft potting mixture. I have started some seeds in it (way too late for Dallas but I did it anyway).
Hello Pooks,
Thanks for the shredded coconut shell info. It may be the same thing I have, my package says “natural 100% coconut fiber”.
Why is your seeds starting at this time of year too late for Dallas?
The instructions all say to start X number of weeks before last frost, and I just didn’t do it in time. We don’t have a bright enough space indoors but I finally did buy a gro light so maybe next year I’ll do better. I can buy bedding plants that are already nice-sized and plant straight into the ground while my seedlings are still… seedlings! I’ll plant both.
Hello Pooks,
You can compare the purchased bedding plants with your late start seedlings. Since you have a much longer growing season than I have, perhaps it will not matter that you started your seedlings a bit late.
Oh I love the artwork on those packets. The seed library is such a wonderful idea. More places should do this.
Hello Maureen,
They are beautiful and whimsical, it is obvious each artist gave his/her work much thoughts.
What lovely packaging for some lovely to-be veggies!!
Hello Squishy,
I am so looking forward to warm weather so I can into the garden to plant those seeds.