Seed bank now available at the library

The Seed Lending Library is now available at the Weston County Library. This is a free program and a joint project of the Weston County Library System, the Weston County Library Foundation and the Dirt Daubers and Flowering Fingers Garden clubs. 

The wooden cabinet with drawers holding all the seeds is located in the upstairs library near the front desk. It was created in an effort to introduce residents to gardening, provide an education on seed saving and develop  some new green thumbs. The Seed Lending Library operates on the honor system, and you become a member when you withdraw seeds to plant.

Just as in the library’s book shelves, a variety of flower and vegetable seeds is held in the small drawers. 

The program encourages members to learn basic seed-saving techniques, but those unable to save their own seed can simply donate a package or two of fresh commercially grown, non-hybrid, non-GMO seed to help keep the library stocked. 

A binder holds information on membership records, and the seeds that patrons take and then bring back are recorded. It is important to make sure that the returned seed isn’t cross-pollinated. 

Newcastle resident Joyce Brown recently used the seed library for the first time this year. She chose carrot, beet and huckleberry seeds to plant. 

“I like to plant flowers and vegetables. It’s just something that keeps me busy,” Brown said, adding that she thinks the library of tiny seeds is a great idea.

Brenda Ayres, director of the library, says that the seed bank has been in the works for a couple of years and that it has grown.

“The garden clubs have been so helpful repackaging and labeling the seeds that come in,” Ayres said. She encourages others in the community to use the seed library and learn how to extract seeds from the plants they grow.