Chester Springs Library recently began a Community Seed Connection, which offers local gardeners free seeds for planting with the idea that the "borrowers" can later return seeds saved from the plants they have grown. Seeds can also be donated.
According to library director Nancy Niggel, the seeds used to start the program were donated from seed companies and local gardeners. She also received leftovers from the 2019 Chester County Seed Swap held in January by the West Vincent Township Sustainability Committee.
Community members are invited to choose from an assortment of seeds that are clearly labeled in drawers that formerly held the library's card catalog. "We took a couple of drawers in the card catalog and repurposed them," explained Niggel. "I took the donated seeds and portioned them into smaller packages, and people can take them out and use them and hopefully (return) some seeds, although that's not necessary. (Returning seeds saved from plants) will make the seed library sustainable."
Those who cannot return seeds are asked to donate one or two packs of open-pollinated, non-GMO, non-hybrid seeds. These descriptions can be found on the seed packet.
Seed packs offered at the library typically contain between four and 10 seeds each, with more in the case of smaller seeds. There is separate section for seeds that are "easy to save."
"There is no limit. You can take as many packets as you want," Niggel said.
Seed "borrowers" are asked to complete a registration form, which includes questions about their gardens. They are also asked to list what they "borrowed" and, later, they may list what they returned.
Niggel said that some seeds are useful now for fall crops, while others may be used this coming winter. "February is when (most) people start their seedlings inside," she noted.
While Niggel was setting up the seed program, she contacted the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which has a successful seed program at its Lawrenceville branch. The library provided her with lists of web resources and information about how to save seeds, which she now shares with Chester Springs Library patrons.
According to the information provided, the seeds from peppers and tomatoes may be easily obtained for replanting. For peppers, gardeners should simply remove the seeds and lay them on a paper towel to dry. To save the seeds from tomatoes, gardeners should take the following steps: squeeze the seeds and some pulp into a jar, add water, let the tomato pulp ferment for about three days until it develops a fungus on top, remove the fungus, rinse the seeds clean and dry the seeds on a paper towel.
Niggel pointed out that another library in the Chester County Library System has started a seed program as well. "(Staff members from) Kennett Library came all the way up here to look at (ours), and they started one as well," she said.
Niggel noted that according to research, seed libraries promote gardening, physical activity, healthy eating, family togetherness and community spirit. They are also said to create locally resilient plants.
Currently, Chester Springs Library is looking for seed savers and gardeners to donate seeds they have saved or leftover seeds from this year. For more information, readers may contact Niggel at cslibrary@ccls.org or 610-827-9212.
Chester Springs Library is located at 1709 Art School Road, Chester Springs, in the village of Historic Yellow Springs. Complete details about the Community Seed Connection are available at http://www.chesterspringslibrary.org/seed-library.
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