Need seeds? Now you can check plants out at the library

Published July 3, 2023

Libraries are a great resource to nourish your mind, but did you know you can nourish your body at one as well?

The library at Blue Ridge Community College is home to a seed library, which opened in January. It’s a great resource to supply the community with a free source of seeds and encourage the growing of healthy, home-grown foods.

A seed library, or seed bank, works just like a normal library. Simply sign out the seed you want to grow and take it home to grow. At the end of the season, save seeds from the grown plant and return a portion back to the library for others to use next season.

The library has been a hit so far. Nearly 50 people have borrowed seeds with a handful donating some themselves. One member used the seed library to start a farm business, another started a local farm to provide produce for the Black community, and others simply snagged a seed to experiment in their gardens.

“Students, staff, instructors, and members of the community have all participated in various ways,” said Julia Haverstock, electronic resources librarian who started the library. “We have members who are experienced master gardeners and folks who are complete gardening beginners. All are welcome.”

Isaac Wyatt, program assistant for Henderson County Cooperative Extension, said there’s also networking and educational opportunities that go along with being part of the seed library community.

“Each month the library puts on a garden chat,” Wyatt said. “This is an opportunity for members of the community to come together and talk about successes and struggles they may be facing in their gardens.”

These meetings, which are free and open to the public, are held the third Tuesday of each month in the BRCC library at 1 p.m. They cover a variety of topics ranging from foraging for wild plants and understanding soil and compost. The July 18 meeting features a presentation on organic pest control from Master Gardener Rob McClasky and the Aug. 15 meeting will includes a lesson from Horticulture Department Head Rachel Meriwether on how to save the most common types of seed.

July may seem a little late to start seeds, but Wyatt said now is the perfect time to start planning for a fall garden.

“Planting cool season crops in late summer gives the gardener a season extension,” said Wyatt. “Pest pressure is also minimized during later times of the year. Most insects are wrapping up their lifecycles for the year decreasing the level of pressure on plants.”

In addition to BRCC, the Henderson County Public Library plans to house a seed library at the main Hendersonville branch starting this July, giving families another option to supplement their diet with healthy, home-grown foods.

Seed banks are a fun new way to enjoy the library. But Rachel Garner, Community Health Improvement Specialist for the Henderson County Department of Public Health, said they also address food insecurity in a unique way, giving people a resource to sustainably grow their own healthy and nutritious food regardless of financial or other limitations.

“Gardening at home not only yields budget-friendly crops for consumption but also engages the grower in physical activity, lowers stress and anxiety, and provides opportunities for social connection—not to mention the health benefits of an enhanced diet,” Garner said. “Whether it’s in a pot, a raised bed, or straight into the ground, homegrown fruits and vegetables are as fresh as it gets and full of more nutrients than you’ll find anywhere else.” Read more about seed libraries from the Cooperative Extension at www.henderson.ces.ncsu.edu.

Andrew Mundhenk is the Communications Manager for the Henderson County Department of Public Health