Beyond Gardening Books
Pick Up Plant Seeds At The Library
Do you love gardening or aspire to love gardening? Perhaps you are planning for next year’s growing season. In addition to checking out what may be available from your local garden center, you may also want to visit your local library! Did you know you can "check out" seeds alongside books and other materials from many North Carolina libraries?
Through seed libraries, libraries help to connect people with others in the community, increase the availability of healthy food, and help improve local biodiversity. The results may be tasty homegrown tomatoes or basil for you, a fun new hobby for others, and happy bees and other pollinators.
What is a Seed Library?
A seed library is a collection or repository of seeds that you can take home to plant. Items such as books and handouts on gardening and saving seeds usually accompany a public library’s seed library so that you can learn more about tending to your newly sown additions. Then when the growing plant produces seeds, you can collect some of them and bring them to the library to be shared with other neighbors and community members.
Sowing Seeds in Granville County
The Granville County Library System provides a seed library at their Berea and South Branch locations, featuring flower, vegetable, and herb seeds. According to Zina Hardee, South Branch Manager, the seed libraries began organically, “A patron brought the idea to me for consideration. She had seen it work in other settings and thought it would be a great idea for the library and Granville County. We decided to try it at our Berea Branch first. Shortly thereafter, we expanded the service, bringing it to the South Branch to allow greater access for our patrons. Almost immediately, the program was well-received. Seed donations came from the NC Cooperative Extension office, local area businesses, and food banks. Patrons also gave monetary donations, which allowed us to purchase additional seeds.
The Granville County Library System seed libraries promote healthy living, enhance food security, and complement our “Farm to Fridge” program by providing an additional nutritional food source.”
Seeds from the library have grown popular in Granville County, as visitors were surprised at them being offered for free.
Maggie Hall, Berea Library Branch Manager, says, “As we've gone past our first year of having the seeds available and promoting the collection at garden expos and at all four of the libraries in our system, patrons are now coming in looking for seeds. The only part we need to remind them of is to bring back any seeds they collect or leftovers to donate to help keep the supply up. Then folks can be using seeds and growing plants that are successful right here where they live, thanks to help from their neighbors. The library where I work is a long way from the nearest grocery store, so increasing patrons' access to seeds for growing their own vegetables is important on many levels.”
Novice gardeners and families with young children who want to plant their first sunflower or pumpkin and more seasoned gardens are delighted to find some of their favorite seeds and have “checked out” them from the Berea and South Branch seed libraries.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
The Granville County Library System's seed libraries have been popular with community members. So, now you can connect with new and seasoned gardeners at the library and share tips about growing fruits and vegetables. It’s a great way to meet new neighbors and friends.
What other NC libraries have seeds?
While many seed libraries are at public libraries, some college libraries have them, too. UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan Science Library, UNC Asheville’s Ramsey Library, and Blue Ridge Community College Library also have seed libraries. In addition to Granville County Public Library, other public libraries with seeds include Davidson County Public Library, Durham County Library, Gaston County Library, Lee County Library, Randolph County Public Library, Rutherford County Library, Brown Library (in Washington, NC), and Northwestern Regional Library. The Hickory Public Library has plant cuttings. Be sure to contact your local public library to see if they have seeds and which locations have them. The State Library of North Carolina’s Government and Heritage Library is planning a seed library focusing on native plants.
Have you grown something from seeds picked up from your local library's seed library? If so, what have you grown? Share in the comments below.
The SLNC Government & Heritage Library Native Seed Library is now open! Learn more at https://slnc.info/plantaseed.