Come see the Abilene library's 'growing' collection
The staff of the Abilene Public Library is excited to announce a new kind of collection on the horizon.
In the near future, we will be offering a Seed Library.
Some of you may wonder why we would offer a seed library.
Library staff was inspired by the many stories of libraries across Texas and the United States that have started their own seed library. The reasons for doing so are many.
By offering seeds, we can help the local community learn how to garden and supplement their pantry with food they have grown themselves. Also, there are biodiversity benefits to growing and saving seeds that have adapted to local conditions. Plus, it can be a lot of fun for all ages to watch a seed become a full grown plant.
To kick things off, we will offer a variety of herb and vegetable seeds. The number of seeds in each envelope will vary but, hopefully, enough to ensure that everyone who borrows seeds will be able to grow at least one successful plant.
So, yes, patrons will “borrow” seeds with their library card but will not have to return the seeds or envelope. The seeds are yours to keep. However, if you are able to save some seeds from the plants you grow, we would gratefully accept them back as donations.
The basics of seed saving is covered in resources available here at the library.
“The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Trees and Shrubs” by Robert E. Gough is a full-color resource covering seeds to seedlings. Suzanne Ashworth’s “Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners” includes seed saving techniques plus guides for seed starting from expert gardening from regions all over the United States.
Visit our free Hoopla service and you’ll find titles there as well including “Saving Seeds: The Gardener's Guide to Growing and Saving Vegetable and Flower Seeds” by Marc Rogers as well as “Starting & Saving Seeds” from gardening expert Julie Thompson-Adolf. She includes such hints as how to encourage stubborn seeds to germinate.
As seeds become plants, further your knowledge with titles like author Jessica Soward’s “The First-time Gardener: Growing Vegetables All the Know-how and Encouragement You Need to Grow, and Fall in Love with, Your Brand New Food Garden."
Another great choice is “Texas Fruit & Vegetable Gardening: Plant Grow and Harvest the best Edibles for Texas Gardens” by Greg Grant. This seasoned gardener covers soil, seeds and pests.
For a unique take on gardening, check out “Grow Bag Gardening: The Revolutionary Way to Grow Bountiful Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Flowers in Lightweight, Eco-friendly Fabric Pots” by Kevin Espiritu. This technique is ideal for anyone with a limited amount of space for plants.
Any age can learn to start a garden and learn all about its potential uses. “From Seed to Jam” by Penelope S. Nelson (Hoopla) takes young readers from growing the strawberries, cooking them and jarring the result. Also from Hoopla is Benita Elcock’s “We Planted Seeds Today” which describes a dad and son planting seeds together. Zoë Tucker’s “The Garden We Share” celebrates the inspiring benefits of a community garden and the friendships made from planting to harvest.
Our goal is to start offering access to this unique library collection soon and we are hard at work putting the final touches into place. We will be releasing additional information shortly, so keep an eye on our newsletter and social media. You can also give us a call at 325-676-6025 to learn more.
Of course, books and eBooks are available now if you just can’t wait to get started learning more about starting your own garden.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Come see the Abilene library's 'growing' collection
