Feel free to toss this new library item in the dirt.
I’ve always liked public libraries. They are a great place to gain a significant amount of information through books, magazines, newspapers, film and audio recordings, as well as a fairly quiet place to just sit back and relax while enjoying some fiction.
But who says information is the only thing a library can lend? There is a national trend happening right now involving public libraries across the nation that I am really happy about. It’s called seed lending. A recent article in the Duluth News Tribune reported that the Duluth (Minnesota) Public Library will soon begin lending heirloom seeds from fruit and vegetable plants to people in the community.
The library’s goals are to foster healthier eating and to increase the number of locally-grown plants that are traditionally adapted to the Northland. The library is partnering with other local organizations on this project, including the Institute for a Sustainable Future, the Duluth Community Garden Program and the St. Louis County Master Gardeners.
The library asks only that borrowers return some of the resulting seeds from the plants they grow to the library collection bank. And that’s the best thing about this program. All the seeds that the library lends will be for open-pollinated plants best suited for the northern growing season.
Heirloom plants have lineages not affected by hybridization, which reduces diversity in favor of consistency of a few select traits. In addition to the seeds, borrowers from the Duluth library will have access to educational materials and classes pertaining to gardening and seed saving.
There must be close to 100 such seed-lending libraries across the country by now. I’m not a particularly trendy guy, but this is a trend that I can get onboard with.
How about you? If your local library were to offer free seeds for you to use and then replenish with the seeds from the resulting vegetables and fruits that you would grow, would you get involved? What types of seeds do you think you might want to borrow? Do you think highly enough of this idea to mention it to someone who works at your local library?
you need to be very careful and not cross pollinate the plants when you plant them. like beets and swiss chard will cross. you will need to know what plants will cross. once they cross you can not uncross them.
I didn’t know about beets. I learned something new. I do know that you’ve got to keep your popcorn far away from your other corns because they won’t pop if they’ve been cross-pollinated.
i already have your different seeds but i did not plant it because i need to have plant bed and besides here in las vegas it is so hot andi am worried how to do it and what season of the year is best to start planting. anyway, i am thinking of fall to start with. thank you
The stupid govt/monsanto will find a way to shut it down, mark my words. Let’s see- these plants will endanger spotted purple ladybugs Or they will be taxed out of existence. Or the govt will mandate GMO seeds for some farfetched reason. Or the plants will be a health hazard to people with allergies- wouldn’t want to offend anyone by making their allergies worse, ya know. God only knows what these idiots will come up with. Oh, I know- these plants will be deemed harmful to box turtles- that’s it! Or the seeds must be pasteurized, and on and on and on.
I hate to be so negative, sorry. I was reading political news a while ago, maybe I’ll just get a cold one and try to relax.
I do think it’s a great idea, however.
It’s a great idea. If only the heirloom seeds were
for southwestern states as well. I live in Arizona
where the planting season for seeds like tomatoes
is completely reversed from northern states because
of the summer heat.
Truly one of the best ideas I have heard of in a long time. The problem I see is one of accessibility to those that could really benefit from it (inner city children) and the homeless. Perhaps it could be done through local churches in concert with the local government for the space necessary to grow? Small raised 4 foot square gardens could provide sufficient vegetables for a family of 4 to supplement their diet. Just a thought.
This is a terrific idea. I have forwarded this article to our local library, and will follow up with a personal visit to the librarian. This is a farming community, but I am interested in the heirloom seeds.
As a long time collector and grower of heirloom seeds I believe this to be one of the best ideas I have heard. It could be the only way to get control of our food sources,
since they have been taken over by big Agribusiness. Power to the People.