Christian County Library will launch a seed library for the third year at the Ozark and Clever Branches beginning March 1. Just like previous years, each library cardholder will be able to take home up to four packets of seeds to jumpstart a garden, try their hand at growing a new variety, or help their children learn a bit about gardening. The seeds available this year are donations from several heirloom seed vendors, including Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange Heirloom Seeds, and White Harvest Seed Company. “All of this goes along with the library’s mission to encourage lifelong learning,” said Katy Pattison, CCL Deputy Director. “We’re grateful to the companies that donate seeds so that our community members can experience what it means to grow their own food, save seeds from year to year, or garden with their children.”
“We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback and stories from library patrons about the seed library over the past few years,” said Pattison, “but one of our own staff members showed us the impact it had on her own experience with some photos.”
Pam Cox hadn’t planted a garden for several years, and used seeds from last year’s seed swap and seed library to grow some flowers, herbs, and some giant pumpkins at home. “I love all the bees and the butterflies that the plants attract,” she said. “The fresh basil seeds saved me tons of money that I would ordinarily spend to make Thai food with. I used my pumpkins for fall decorations and the sunflower seeds for wildlife food this winter, and then harvested some seeds that I’ll bring in for the seed swap this year.”