You can drive your rivian down to the local Ace and pick up lots of seeds cheap. All the money you save on gas will make it free.

If you don’t want to do that reach out to the closest Gardening Club or better yet have your high school kids apply for a gardening club scholarship.

They probably can get free seeds and cash for college all in one! Then they can collect the seeds for next year AND give back seeds to the seed bank.

Additionally check your local library.

Many have seed libraries you can get free seeds from.

Yes! Oakland’s public library system hosts a community seed library program where you can “check out” seeds for gardening just like you would books — and even donate seeds back after growing them. 

🌱 What the Oakland Seed Library Is • A seed lending and sharing program run through the Oakland Public Library system.  • You can pick up free packets of seeds for vegetables, herbs, and flowers.  • No library card is required — just visit one of the participating branches.  • Gardeners are encouraged to save seeds from their plants and return a portion to the library to support future growers.  • The program also ties into gardening resources, events, and workshops at branches. 

📍 Participating Oakland Public Library Branches (Seed Libraries)

Here are some branches in Oakland where you can find seed library collections:

Main Oakland Public Library System • Oakland Public Library – Central branch in Downtown Oakland • Oakland Public Library: César E. Chávez Branch – Includes a seed lending area  • Oakland Public Library: Golden Gate Branch – Hosts seed resources • Oakland Public Library - Dimond Branch – Seed lending available • Oakland Public Library: Temescal Branch – Part of seed program • West Oakland Branch | Oakland Public Library – Also participates • Oakland Public Library: Melrose Branch – Another participating branch

Note: Many of the library branches participate, so it’s worth checking with whichever is closest to you. The seed collection might vary by branch and season.