Edible Blue Ridge Spring 2023

SHARING THE BOUNTY

Seed Libraries While most of us think of the library as the place to go for books, movies and the occasional event, did you know many of the branches in our region offer another resource — seeds? “I have to say, I enjoy talking about seeds and plants,” says librarian eresa Baga, who runs the seed library at the Salem County Public Library. In its sixth year of operation, the Salem seed library is a resource for both beginning and advanced gardeners. Unlike checking out books, you don’t need to have a library card to patronize the seed library; you simply go to a participating branch and ‘check out’ between 3-5 seed packets, recording what you take in a logbook – depending on the branch rules. At the end of the growing season, patrons of the program are encouraged to let some of their plants go to seed so that they can save the seeds and return them to the library for the following season.

Librarians across the state work hard to forge relationships when securing seeds for their programs — both within the community and with larger seed companies and organizations such as Louisa County-based Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Seed Savers Exchange, and Eden Brothers, located in North Carolina. Unlike seed banks, which store seeds to preserve genetic diversity, seed libraries are about encouraging literal growth in a community, right in patrons’ backyards. In addition to seeds, the libraries highlight available books for gardeners to use as reference material when sowing, growing and harvesting. In partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension and Allegheny Mountain Institute, libraries have created monthly gardening guides and programs throughout the region and some libraries even host seed swaps and invite guest speakers at the start and end of the growing season.

Seed Libraries in Our Region Augusta: Fishersville & Churchville Branches Buckingham Harrisonburg: Carrier Library at JMU, Massanutten Central Branch Pulaski Rockbridge: Bath Branch Salem Don’t see your library on the list? Become involved and start your own program!

Get growing and sowing this spring and remember to allow some of your plants to go to seed so you can continue the sharing cycle. Local Book Love

Veteran gardener and local (Floyd, VA) author Barbara Pleasant’s newest book is out on stands just in time to help you start your spring vegetable garden. Geared toward beginner gardeners, Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens presents easy-to-follow steps for all kinds of backyard gardens. Whether you only have space for a few containers, or you want to turn your borders into a garden integrated with vegetables, herbs and flowers, Pleasant guides readers through selecting seeds and plants, building up your soil, harvesting, and preparing your beds for the following season. e book also contains detailed plot illustrations that show how to create both a bountiful and beautiful garden — for instance, dill makes a beautiful edging and sweet alyssum can serve as a bright and luscious ground cover. Pleasant also breaks down common varietals and gardening terms and recommends tools to purchase. Each type of garden presented has a one-to three-year layout, helping you plan your green thumb growth and reminding us all that gardening, like most things in life, is a process, and it helps to take it one step at a time.

6 | EDIBLE BLUE RIDGE SPRING 2023

Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs