The seed lending library display is in the main lobby of the library. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Food for the mind isn’t the only offering at the library these days. An antique seed rack filled with seed packets now stands in the lobby, the centerpiece of the new Harvard Seed Library, an initiative of the Harvard Farmers Market in conjunction with the Harvard Public Library. Residents are encouraged to “borrow” packets of heirloom organic seeds, plant them, enjoy the results, and return the seeds produced by their plants to the seed library for patrons to borrow the following year.
Originally a West Coast phenomenon, seed lending libraries are springing up in public libraries across the country. The first one in this area was started in 2013 at the Fowler Library in West Concord. Since then, seed libraries have opened at the Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton and at the Groton Public Library. Harvard Farmers Market board members have been toying with the idea for a while and decided to bring the project to fruition this spring.
The goal of the seed library is to “promote biodiversity and cultivate our local plant varieties,” according to Harvard Seed Library program manager, a.k.a. “seed lady,” Roxana Trabulsi. The theory behind seed libraries is that by growing and saving seeds, seed stock that is well suited to the growing conditions in a specific location will be developed. The seed library is counting on donations for its initial seed stock, and so far it has received a number of seed packets from Salt Spring Seeds in British Columbia. They are also hoping to get local Shaker seeds, as well as seeds from organic gardens in town, such as the Community Garden.
Just a sample of what’s available in the seed lending library.
Borrowing from the seed library is easy. Patrons select seed packets from the shelf and fill out a checkout form. A free pamphlet called “A Guide to Saving Seeds” is available and explains how to save seeds from both plants that grow seeds on the outside of the plant, such as lettuce, and plants that grow seeds on the inside of the plant, such as tomatoes. Plants are categorized according to how easy their seeds are to save without danger of cross-pollination. For the first year of the program, while patrons may borrow seeds from any category, program organizers ask that only seeds in the “super easy” category be returned in order to preserve seed purity. Envelopes to hold returned seeds will be provided, and growers are asked to return seeds from about a third of their crop to the designated cubby in the seed rack.
Remembering Dylan Connelly
The Harvard Seed Library is dedicated to the memory of Harvard resident Dylan Connelly, who passed away last summer. According to Trabulsi, Connelly loved seeds and gardening, and he was a huge supporter of the Harvard Farmers Market. “Dylan was always at the farmers market from the minute it opened to the minute it closed,” said Jen Sundeen. “We watched his family grow every week, every year. He loved planting from seed. His mother, Mary Connelly, said his little girls love to save the seeds from their veggies and grow them. Some of last year’s bell pepper seeds they planted popped up this year. The girls are so excited!” Mary Connelly is part of the group organizing the seed library.
The seed library is self-serve and will be available during library hours. In addition to seeds, a number of garden-themed books are available for perusal in the drawers beneath the seed rack. Organizers are also hoping that the seed library corner will become a place where gardeners can find out about gardening events, such as lectures and classes. “It will be whatever it blossoms into,” said HFM board member Davida Bagatelle. For more information on the Harvard Seed Library, or to donate seeds, email harvardseedlibrary@gmail.com.
