Galena Public Library helps you get ready for spring with its seed lending library

GALENA–It’s the time of the year when avid gardeners begin planning summer gardens and starting seeds indoors. The Galena Public Library is continuing the seed lending library for the 2019 growing season.

The seed library is full of several varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruits which are all heirloom and available for “checkout.” To checkout seeds or donate heirloom seeds, a membership form must be filled out detailing the seeds borrowed or donated. In the fall, the harvested seeds are brought back in and added to the seed library.

It is important to save seeds not only for economic reasons, but also to preserve the ecological heritage of the area. Through the this program, the library is building a collection of seeds that will be specially adapted to the Galena area and available for passionate gardeners year after year.

Many seeds can be started indoors. A hobby gardener doesn’t necessarily need a lot of equipment or fancy lights to do this. For many varieties a warm spot by the window is all that is needed.

Stop into the library or call 815-777-0200 and ask for Adult Services Librarian Larissa Distler, for help deciding which seeds to check out and to learn how to save them true to type. The library also has a wide collection of books and magazines about gardening and ecologically relevant topics.

For more information ask a librarian or visit seedsavers.org.