Student Sustainability Center

Gardening in front of the student union

SSC Gardens

Two hands covered in dirt are shown.

Gardens

Our campus is a living classroom. PSU's student-focused gardens offer opportunities to learn about plant care, habitat restoration, community building, food production, cultural diversity, and much more.

Campus Gardens

Eight people are shown smiling and gardening.

Smith Gardens

This space showcases native plant species including micro-prairie mounds and wildflowers that support pollinator habitat.

Open hours: All hours.
Contact: SSC, gardens@pdx.edu

A group of people are standing in a garden behind wheelbarrrows full of plants.

Garden Safety

Garden during the daytime.  Be aware of your surroundings.

Garden with at least one other person.

Be careful of unexpected debris and objects while working in gardens.

Identify each item before you touch it. If you are uncertain about an item, leave it alone.

Wear closed-toe shoes and PPE when necessary.

Two green gloves are shown planting a green plant in soil.

Seed Library

Learn more about our free seeds and seed exchange program at PSU, located in Smith Memorial Student Union. 

  • Check out seeds from the library 
  • Plant the seeds
  •  Cultivate the plants
  • Harvest seeds from the plants you grew
  • Return some of these next generation seeds to the library for others to borrow.

But don’t worry—there aren't any fines if you don’t return seeds. 

Donating seeds back to the library is completely optional, although it’s much appreciated since donations are what keep the library stocked.
The library is located at the Student Sustainability Center. Our address is:
Smith M104
1825 SW Broadway
Portland, Oregon 97201
 

Read more about open hours on our Contact Us page.

How to borrow seeds


Get a manila envelope for your seeds.
Remove the seed packet you want from the catalog.
Remove 2-3 seeds for each plant you want to grow from the packet and put in the manila envelopes provided.
Write seed information on your envelope.
Complete a checkout form so we can track library use.

Many thanks to the organizations who have helped support our seed library! The organizations include: Portland Nursery, Territorial Seed Company, Seed Savers Exchange, Strictly Medicinal Seeds, Botanical Interests, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Ferry-Morse, and Learning Gardens Lab.

How to donate seeds


We are always looking for more seeds to share with the community.  You can donate your seeds at our office or send them by mail to:

Portland State University,

Student Sustainability Center,

P.O. Box 751,

Portland, OR 97207-0751


You can also fill out a donation form at the seed library or online. Please share any of the following information you have for the seeds:

  • Common name
  • Variety
  • Scientific name
  • Seed source
  • Location of harvest
  • Year of harvest
  • Planting and care instructions