GROWING GUIDE GROWING GUIDE
Fall 2026 Fall 2026
Welcome to Welcome to The Seed Library! The Seed Librar y !
Don’t let chilly weather scare you from getting in the garden this fall! The Seed Library is back with more varieties than ever to help you plant your fall garden.
Thanks to our partnership with the Anderson County Soil & Water Conservation District (ACSWCD), we have been able to grow the Seed Library every year. In the Spring 2026 season, our patrons checked out over 10,000 packets of seeds. That is a lot of planting and growing!
If you want to check out some seeds for yourself, all you need is a valid library card. Come to the Main Library any day of the week and you can check out up to 5 seed packets. Come back the next day and you can get 5 more!
Can’t make it to the Main Library? No problem. Each branch will host the Traveling Seed Library (TSL) for one week. See the TSL schedule on page 3 to find out when it will be at your closest branch.
In addition to the Seed Library, the Library also offers soil testing kits, gardening programs and classes, and many, MANY gardening books. Check out the Seed Library page on our website to see a list of upcoming programs, suggested reading, and other gardening resources that the Library has to offer.
How it works How it works
Look Up
Research to see which seeds are right for you. Use the Growing Guide and other library resources to help with planning your garden this season.
Pick out
Choose your seeds at the library. You can check out up to 5 packets per day with your library card.
Plant It
The moment you've been anticipating! Seek guidance from library resources for valuable tips and tricks on your gardening journey.
grow it
Plant the seeds and enjoy what grows! At the end of the growing season, save the seeds from the plants and return a portion of the seeds to the library to keep the Seed Library growing.
Upcoming Gardening Programs Upcoming Gardening Programs
Plant Swap @Main Library Saturday, July 11 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Getting to Know Rain Barrels @ Main Library Thursday, july 23 - 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Learn about carolina yards @ Main Library Thursday, August 13 - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Composting 101 @ Main Library Thursday, August 24 - 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Growing health @ main library Tuesday, september 1 - 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Visit our Event Calendar at www.andersonlibrary.org/events or contact branch to register.
Planting Native Planting Native
Native plants are ideally adapted to the growing conditions of our area and for that reason, they are easier to grow, require fewer resources to thrive, and are highly beneficial to the local ecosystem. Planting flowers and grasses that are native to South Carolina is an easy way to help the environment and give yourself a gorgeous garden to enjoy every day.
Why are native plants better for the environment?
They provide the best food sources and habitats for native wildlife.
They help prevent soil erosion during storms and next to bodies of water.
They help conserve water and prevent chemical runoff into natural water sources.
Source: https://hgic clemson edu/factsheet/an-introduction-to-native-plants-for-sclandscapes/
How can you start planting native?
Come to the library! Starting this season, we have packets of native seed mixes in the Seed Library. You can use these mixes to start a pollinator garden, to stabilize banks and ridges that experience water runoff, or to create a beautiful flower garden to look at.
Want more information about native plants? Visit Clemson’s Home and Garden Information Center website (hgic.clemson.edu) to access a huge database of articles about gardening in South Carolina.
Helpful hints Helpful hints
Frost Dates - Anderson County, SC
Average Last Spring Frost: April 1 - April 10
Average First Fall Frost: November 1 - November 10
A frost date marks the typical timing of the final light freeze in spring or the initial light freeze in fall.
Freeze temperatures are categorized by their impact on plants:
Light freeze: 29° to 32°F (-1.7° to 0°C) — kills tender plants.
Moderate freeze: 25° to 28°F (-3.9° to -2.2°C) — highly damaging to most vegetation.
Severe freeze: 24°F (-4.4°C) and below causes extensive damage to garden plants.
Sources: almanac com & plantmaps com
Test your soil
Before reaching for the fertilizer, test your soil. Soil Test Kits are available for free checkout at the Main Library and select branch LEAP Stations. Reach out to the library for availability.
Understanding your soil’s unique needs is key to growing a vibrant garden. With a simple test, you can tailor your fertilization and help your plants thrive.
For a more detailed analysis, the Anderson County Clemson Extension Office offers low-cost soil testing. Call (864) 226-1581 for more details.
What to Know What to Know
follow the color Key
Our color-coded guide is an easy way to pick the types of seeds you are interested in planting.
Choose from flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. flowers fruits herbs veggies
planting & harvesting
Be sure to plant and harvest according to the guide in order to get the most out of your seeds. Pay special attention to notes on the seed envelopes for certain varieties. Some envelopes will have the general time frames below. Others will have specific months circled.
Early Spring: February - March
Late Spring: April - May
Summer: June-August
Fall: September-October
Winter: November-January
Full sun: Six or more hours a day
Partial sun: Between four and six hours a day
Partial shade: Between two and four hours a day
Shade: Less than two hours a day
Know your zone
According to the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Anderson County is in the 8a-8b hardiness zone. Enter your zip code in the Quick Zip Code Search box at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov to find out more.
Anderson County Library - Seed Library www.andersonlibrary.org/seed-library
Anderson County Soil & Water Conservation District - Seed Library www.andersonswcd.org/seed-library
Clemson cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center hgic.clemson.edu
South Carolina Native Plant Society www.scnps.org
How Can I Help? How Can I Help?
Donate
The Seed Library is happy to accept donations of your locally saved seeds in any quantity. The seeds should be collected from your healthiest plants. We also are happy to accept your unused quantities of seeds from seed packets you might have purchased commercially.
Seeds saved from grocery store produce are not suitable for the Seed Library. This is because there’s not enough information about how the plants were grown. Please put them in your compost bin instead.
Donations should be completely dried, packed, and clearly labeled. Donated seeds will be added to the Seed Library collection at the discretion of the Anderson County Soil & Water Conservation District.
You can donate seeds at any Anderson County Library Branch or at the Anderson County Soil and Water Conservation District building at 1521 Pearman Dairy Rd, Anderson, SC 29625.
Volunteer
We are always looking for volunteers to help pack seeds! If interested, please contact either the Anderson County Soil and Conservation District at (864) 844-8224 or the Seed Library Coordinator at the library at (864) 260-4500 ext. 177 or through email at seedlibrary@andersonlibrary.org.
For more information, visit: https://andersonswcd.org/seed-library/
The Seed Library exists through a partnership between the Anderson County Library System and the Anderson County Soil and Water Conservation District.
It would not be possible without the support of generous volunteers and the following businesses and organizations:
Anonymous Donors
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company
City Seed at the Station
Griff’s Farm & home Center
O'Neal Seed Company
Paul Thuneman
In the 635 section in nonfiction, you will find a great ass of books on all aspects of gardening to help on your jou including: flowers, fruits and vegetables, herbs, orga gardening, seed saving, and more!
Seed Savers Exchange
Smith's Farm Supply
Tractor Supply on Hwy 28 Bypass
seedlibrary@andersonlibrary.org