Spreading the Growth, or Seeds in Libraries!

When I was in my graduate school internship with the Cherry Hill Public Library, I heard about seed libraries for the first time. The librarians there were discussing their programming plans for the spring and I was eager to hear all of the details.

Later, I heard about them again when I went on a trip to Utah and visited the Salt Lake City Library, who advertised their own seed library with flyers and bookmarks.

As someone who has always longed for a beautiful, bounty-filled garden, this sounded like an amazing library program idea. When I was young, I kept trying to plant my own seeds, oblivious if they were viable or not, in one corner of the yard and hoped they would grow.

My mom was always growing plants outside in the backyard or houseplants in the living room. She would talk about her flowers and bushes and I’d love every single one of them, even if they were a pain to water as chores. As I got older, Mom would save her seeds from flowering plants to replant (which she still does today).

I wanted to start my own container herb garden a few years ago. Because I was still living at home, these plants were kept on the deck outside and I would do my best to make sure they didn’t die or get eaten by bugs.

Only two of my herb pots survived the torrential downpours that summer, so they came with me when I moved to Mercer County in October 2020. Since then, I’ve accumulated several houseplants, many of which reluctantly tolerate the low sunlight and dry air of my little apartment. It may not be as many as my mom’s collection of greenery, but this is only the beginning.

A couple of months ago, when my branch librarians had a meeting about potential spring programming, I cautiously suggested a small-scale seed library at the Robbinsville Branch. With the ever-growing prices of food in today’s world, I thought this would be a great program to offer to our patrons to supplement their own pantries and refrigerators. Growing their own fruit, vegetables, and even herbs could help our patrons work towards food security for all who need it.

Robbinsville’s seed library allows patrons to “check-out” seeds from our little collection. Patrons can then grow the seeds in their own home and backyard gardens. If you would like to “return” seeds to the library, you can donate an unopened packet of your own purchased seeds.

That’s all there is to it. As Cicero once said, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

Stop by your local branch to pick up some seeds, check out some of these helpful resources from our collection, and get to planting your future garden!

Small Gardens: Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success by Zia Allaway (635.9 ALL 2023)

"A must-have volume for first-time gardeners, Grow Small Gardens has tons of tips and tricks containing everything you need to create a garden in a small space, without compromising on design or beauty. Make the most of your windowsill, balcony, roof terrace, courtyard, or tiny urban garden with clever design tricks to create the illusion of more space, advice on planting to ensure seasonal interest and encourage wildlife, and detailed aftercare to keep your plants flourishing year after year."

Herbs: Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success by Stephanie Mahon (635.7 MAH 2022)

“Ideal for first-time gardeners, Grow Herbs contains everything you need to know to grow a wide variety of perennial and annual herbs. Learn how to sow, grow, harvest, and propagate your plants, with advice on caring for home-grown herbs as well as tips on making the most of store-bought pots. Explore a huge variety of herbs available to home gardeners with a wide-ranging directory, including popular herbs such as mint, basil, and sage as well as lesser-grown options like shiso and bergamot.”

Your Gardening Year: How to Make the Most of Every Month in Your Garden by Alice Horne (635 YOU 2022)

"This easy-to-use gardening guide is packed with essential tasks and top tips for every month of the year, with sections on general garden care, growing fruit and vegetables, and getting the best out of containers. Discover which plants will look their best each month and mark the progression of the seasons with a dedicated note section so you can record your garden successes and make plans for next year…”

The Vegetable Gardening Book: Your Complete Guide to Growing an Edible Organic Garden from Seed to Harvest by Joe Lamp’l (635.04 LAM 2022)

"An extensive, hands-on guide to growing a productive organic food garden."

Four-Season Food Gardening: How to Grow Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs Year-Round by Misilla Dela Llana (635 DEL 2022)

“Four-Season Food Gardening hands you all the know-how you need to make growing food 365 days a year your new superpower! Unlike most other vegetable gardening books on the market, this one approaches the subject through the lens of what you can grow during each of the four seasons, even if you live in a cold climate. Using season-extension techniques, such as cold frames, mini hoop houses, and thick mulches, combined with a thoughtful mixture of annual and perennial crops, you'll discover that eating from your backyard through all 12 months is possible.”

Gardening for Everyone: Growing Vegetables, Herbs, and More at Home by Julia Watkins (635 WAT 2022)

"A guide to creating and growing a backyard garden simply and sustainably--from planning to planting to harvest, with profiles of essential vegetables and herbs, ecological tips, and fun and creative projects."



Here are some links to other helpful gardening resources:

- by Jamie C., Robbinsville Branch

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