Omar Brownson
By Teri Silver
Fresh air, fresh vegetables, and a sense of comradery are all part of community gardens, and they’re a lot of fun, too. Starting a seed library in your community garden allows you and your neighbors to vary the types of fruits and veggies you plant and produce.
Establishing community gardens in your Los Angeles area neighborhood takes a bit of planning — the Los Angeles Community Garden Council can help with that. Seed libraries offer diverse opportunities for not only growing different types of produce but learning about various cultures and recipes.
Here are a few tips to start a seed library in your community.
Invite Participants
Setting up the plans for your seed library starts with inviting fellow gardeners to add their gardening expertise.
The University of California’s cooperative extension service trains Master Gardeners to promote sustainable horticulture in gardens and drought-resistant landscapes. Local garden clubs, library groups, plant nurseries, and community boards are good places to advertise for seed traders. Ask people in your community garden if they want to create a seed library.
Space Chase
Community locations with a lot of foot traffic are ideal for establishing seed libraries. Your local library may allow you to set up a display near the gardening books. If the library isn’t an option, perhaps the lobby of a community building (such as a township hall or recreation center) is available. Another option is to build a small shed near the gardens for a sure-fire way to draw attention to the seed library.
Materials
Seeds must be kept dry. Sturdy, waterproof cabinets protect seeds from unwanted moisture. Wooden cabinets are a good choice, and, to place the seeds in rows, place dividers in the drawers. Check out antique and secondhand stores –– maybe you’ll find an old chest of drawers or retired library card catalog. (Do an online search for card catalog chests available for sale). Drawers should be at least 6 inches high.
Purchase seeds, visit garden stores, and write to seed companies for possible donations. Explain the seed lending project’s value to the community and that you don’t want hybrid seeds to get mixed into heirloom varieties.
Organize the Seeds
- Place labels on drawers and dividers inside them.
- Use dividers to separate the various fruits and vegetable seeds.
- Create dividers in the drawers for creating rows of seeds.
- Legal-sized envelopes are useful for holding seeds. Avoid envelopes with clear windows.
- Ink pads and dater stamps help keep track of when the seeds are checked out and when they’re due to return. Post each transaction in a ledger.
Seed Labels
Labeling each packet of seeds makes it easier to identify them. Labels can note the different plant families as they help users choose the right kind of fruits, herbs, and vegetables for their gardens. Drawer labels might be classified as plants from the gourd family, grasses, parsley, peas, sunflowers, assorted legumes, or whatever you have to offer your fellow gardeners.
Seed Markers
Colored seed markers are the same as bookmarks; place them in the drawer to make it easier to return packets. Card stock in different colors is useful for keeping everything straight.
Promote!
Promote your seed library by placing several signs around the community garden. Place brochures on the library shelves about how to save seeds and what seeds are available; these can change as your supply changes. Place fliers in nearby mailboxes. Teach classes about saving seeds.
Seed Swap!
Seed swaps are a more informal way to collect seeds from different climates and soils. Host a seed swap for people to meet other gardeners and exchange tips. Participants will learn what grows well in the Los Angeles climate and what might thrive in a greenhouse.
Meet and Greet
Bringing people together allows gardeners to become comfortable with new-to-them ideas. Host a garden party orientation for teaching people how to use the seed library. This can be in person or online. (Tip: Host in person and provide light refreshments…mention this in the advertisement. People love free food and drinks!). Social media can help you get the word out.
Seed libraries promote community involvement and a love for nature. As the largest network of food-producing gardens in the region, the Los Angeles Community Garden Council helps gardeners do their thing, something Mother Earth highly approves of.
Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.
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