Temple gardeners can now “borrow” and “lend” vegetable and flower seeds at the Mansfield Public Library, 5 Main St. The newly formed seed library was made possible by a donation from the Temple 250th Anniversary Fund.
The library purchased vegetable and flower seeds, envelopes, and storage containers to hold the seeds to create the seed library, as well as several books on seed saving.
The purpose of a seed library is to encourage patrons to raise locally grown plants, while sharing their knowledge of gardening.
“We have seen a great response to the seed library since it officially opened on March 16,” stated Mansfield Library Director Beth Crooker. “Seeds, especially flower seeds, have been going out and we have received several seed donations to expand our offerings.”
The library invites residents to donate seeds, both commercially packaged and saved seed. If the donation is saved seed, patrons are asked to provide as much information as possible about the seeds such as variety, harvest year and growing notes. The seeds will be kept in the reference room.
To help with inventory, residents are asked to record any seeds they take. Residents must have a library card to use the seed library.