TerraMesa Native Seed Library
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Our NSL was launched at Mesa College in March 2022 to make it easy for the community to incorporate native plants into their residences and the local community. Students, faculty, and community members will be able to check in and out free native seeds for your yard, patios, and balconies.
The benefits of gardening are numerous and well-documented, both for people and wildlife! Everyone can participate in conserving native plants, pollinators, and wildlife that depend on them, even with a small number of native plants.
TerraMesa invites you to join us in sustainability and environmental conservation efforts!
TerraMesa’s Seed Library is inside the LRC and filled with many native seeds for you!
We much appreciate your contribution to the efforts of propagating native species in our community! A special thank you to San Diego Audubon Society for providing us a seed starter kit!
Did you know? Birds and other wildlife need native plants for seeds, flowers, shelter and nesting spots.
What is a Native Seed Library? ¿Qué es una Biblioteca de Semillas Nativas?
“You get free native seeds to use in your garden. Plant the seeds and you and the birds get to enjoy them. When the plants make seeds, bring some back to the library to share.”
“Usted puede obtener gratuitamente semillas nativas para usar en su jardín. Plante las semillas y usted y las aves podrán disfrutarlas. Cuando las plantas crezcan harán semillas, traiga algunas de ellas a la biblioteca para compartirlas.”
Source: SD Audubon
Selection Guide
The table below shows the current seeds available. Be sure to check out the links on the far-right of the table and go to the Calscape webpage. This is a great resource with lots more information and photographs.
Growing Guide
Refer to the propagation section of the Calscape webpage for your plant to see if there are any specific requirements (this especially important for sage species). For many native plant species, you can bury them in â…›” to ¼” soil. Because seeds need a steady moisture level, many native plants will germinate (sprout) in late fall once the seasonal rains begin.
You could also try growing your native plants in pots using organic potting soil and then transplanting them into your garden. If you keep a steady moisture level, most seeds will germinate (sprout) in one to four weeks.
Most native plants require little watering once they are established. Some plants are evergreen (keeping their leaves year-round) and some are deciduous (losing their leaves at a particular time of the year). If you have a summer-deciduous native plant, that means that it will lose its leaves during the summer months when there is little rainfall in the region.
Follow @sdterramesa, @sandiegoaudubon, @sdcanyonlands and @cnpssd on Instagram to share pictures of your plants using the hashtags #terramesaseedlibrary and #sdasseedlibrary.
Harvesting Guide
Many native plants in this region go to seed between June and October. Harvest seeds when they are dry. Label an envelope with the plant name and then place the seeds in an envelope. You can use an envelope from junk mail and fold it so the seeds don’t spill out.
(Don’t worry about packaging the seeds into the smaller envelopes–we’ll take care of that).
When you are ready to return your seeds, submit the Check out/Check in Form and bring the envelope with seeds and place it in the drawer on the bottom right.
“Please don't harvest seeds from rare plants, public parks or other people's properties.”
​SD Audubon explains that “This program is focused on growing and harvesting seeds in our own yards and communities; do not harvest seeds from public parks and preserves and only plant in your own pots, gardens and yards.”
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Audubon offers an opportunity for students to make a difference on campus and beyond. By joining Audubon, students can develop leadership skills, build relationships, and enhance their resumes while working towards positive change. Through various involvement options such as becoming a campus ambassador, establishing a campus chapter, or certifying an existing club, students can engage with Audubon's framework, tools, and support to create meaningful impact both locally and nationally.
Audubon Affiliation
Questions?
Email us at info@terramesa.org or contact us on Instagram @sdterramesa
Visit the SD Audubon webpage for more information about their Native Seed Library program (and learn how to bring a seed library to your neighborhood).
Learn more from the San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.
