Alright, sent an email to the head of my local library about setting up a seed library there.
Seeds libraries are places you can go and "check out" seeds. Grow the seeds. Let one of the grown plants go to seed. Harvest the seeds. Then "return" the seeds back to the seed library!
Free seeds!!!!
Check and see if you have a seed library near you: https://www.communityseednetwork.org/map/
Or connect and share seeds with folks online:
https://exchange.seedsavers.org
Great news! My library got back to me!
They're interested in building out a seed library as well!!!
YAYAYAYAY!!!!!!
I'm developing some basic classes on how to do low-budget, simple, indoor (in any space) hydroponics. I'm also building out some starter kits to give away.
I'll see if the local library would like me to give these courses and kits when the seed library gets built as a way to promote it and get word out to the local community.
#solarPunk #seedLibrary #postScarcity #libraryEconomy #indoorGardening #urbanGardening
Update on the local Seed Library (see previous posts in this thread for background)!
We've got official approval to start building it out!
We'll start the official planning, building, and then community awareness initiatives and concurrent programming and training!
Yay free seeds for the town!
Yay free classes on gardening and hydroponics!
Gardening is one thing. Community is another thing entirely.
Build community. Feed each other.
#solarPunk #hydroponics #indoorGardening #gardening #urbanGardening
THEY DID IT!!!!
My local library built the seed library!
The local Master Gardeners provided a lot of the intitial seeds (oh my gosh we are stocked!!!). They used an old card catalogue to store them. Today's the kickoff!
The idea is you "check out seeds" from the library, plant/grow/harvest, let some go to seed, then "return the seeds" back to the library!
Free seeds for everyone!
Editing to add my library's Seed Library web site: https://www.librarypoint.org/seed-library/
#solarPunk #postScarcity #gardening #mutualAid #seedLibrary #earthDay
@tinker
Definite win for you! Well done.
@SciencesPoulet
While germination rate does go down with time, there shouldn't be too much worry about five year old beans. 95%+ germination is crucial when you're planting thousands of seeds for commercial production. 75% is perfectly fine for most home gardeners.
Especially when the first person to take those home should be bringing back renewed seed when the season is over.
@tinker Wonderful news! Well done! Every community deserves one.
(We have a lovely wee one in Glasgow, Scotland - https://www.cca-glasgow.com/projects/glasgow-seed-library)
@masukomi @tinker Some seed libraries have a return rate around 40%
https://seedlibrarynetwork.substack.com/p/the-seeds-of-a-global-movement
@tinker @claushoumann @urbanmicrofarmer @masukomi
It's also worth tracking the level of cross-breeding that the growers do. :D
There's one grower local to me that took seeds from supermarket tomato's, grew them, cross-bred them, and grew them again.
He now has a strain of tomato's that look like beefsteak tomato's, but grow as easily as salad tomato's. :D
They're called "Anthony Lincoln's" :D
@masukomi - So there are so many here that not everyone has to return seeds. 1 seed will create create hundreds or sometimes thousands of seeds.
A lot of the gardening enthusiasts in town can keep this stocked just by themselves, for example. So you really can't abuse it.
That said, yes, in plenty of seed libraries you can see who donated the seeds back. And that's an indication of exchange.
But, if it gets down to it, it's all about establishing a mindset. If someone comes and asks "Hey, do you have any sunflower seeds?" and you don't, you would answer, "It doesn't look like we have some right now. If you go out and buy some some and plant them, would you bring some back to the library so that others can have access to it as well?"
This is just building community.
I love this!
That is so great 😍
Hey @opensourcegardens and @opensourceseeds this might be interesting to you?
@tinker this is amazing! 🤩
/me is inspired
@tinker oh, and that Suzanne Ashworth book is an absolutely FABULOUS resource, by the way.
We're many years on from where we started, but if/when I ever have a question, I know where I'll be looking first.
Tinker ☀️
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