Check Out These Seeds
Plant, Grow, Reap, Eat, Return
By Tara Bannon Williamson,
Amelia Eckles and Heidi Young
For the GPHN
What is a seed library?
A seed library is a collection of seeds that are free to the public to take home and grow. Similar to our circulating collection, there are limits on how many seeds can be “checked out” by each customer. There is no requirement that seeds be returned at the end of the season — but it is encouraged! There are over 450 seed libraries across the United States — and two of them currently exist within Denver Public Library, the Park Hill Branch and the Ross-Broadway Branch.
Why are seed libraries important?
Seed libraries provide many functions. They increase food security and health on both an individual and communal level, maintain and generate plant diversity (studies estimate that about 75 percent of agricultural plant diversity has already been lost), encourage skill-building and sharing, preserve traditional knowledge and culture, strengthen local food systems, and so much more.
Growing plants from seed gives people a chance to engage more fully in the daily acts that keep us alive, create culture, and maintain the health of our living world. By offering seeds and seed education to the community, we bolster biodiversity, encourage gardening and local food production. We promote physical and mental health through engagement with nature. And, we educate the public spanning topics of seed saving, gardening, cultural food traditions and food sovereignty — just for starters.
Seed Bundles are Coming
The Park Hill Branch Seed Library will be offering seed bundles for the first time ever this spring. Send an email to tbannon@denverlibrary.org to request a bundle of up to 10 types of seeds per patron. You will receive an email letting you know when your bundle is ready. This service will be offered while supplies last. To help us make services like this available in the future, consider saving seeds from your crops and donate them back to the library in the fall.
Example Bundles Include:
• Dark Leafy Greens Bundle: (i.e. kale, collards, spinach)
• Salad Bowl Bundle (i.e. lettuces, arugula, mustard greens)
• Herb Bundle (i.e. basil, thyme, dill)
• Salsa Bundle (i.e. tomato, pepper, cilantro, onion)
• Root Vegetable Bundle (i.e. carrots, turnips, beets, radishes)
• Bouquet Bundle (i.e. assorted cut flowers)