Western Downs Libraries is encouraging residents to get out in the garden and sow, grow, save, and share with their latest community project, the Western Downs Seed Library, which launched on 6th November.
The Seed Library operates like a regular library, but instead of taking home books, residents will be able to access seeds for a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, grow fresh produce, and then harvest seeds to return to the Seed Library for future borrowers.
Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development Councillor Kaye Maguire, said that the Seed Library is a celebration of gardening, self-reliance, and community spirit, and that it benefits both individuals and our active, vibrant communities.
"Nothing says springtime like getting out in the garden! The Seed Library is not only a wonderful new resource, but also a fantastic opportunity to foster community resilience, whilst building and sharing knowledge with others," Cr Maguire said.
"Growing produce from seeds is a great way to teach children about how plants grow and where our food comes from. You won't need to convince the kids to eat their veggies when they have grown them themselves in their own garden!
"We know that 'it's the people that make it' on the Western Downs, and the Seed Library provides a wonderful opportunity for us all to brush up on our gardening skills, whilst supporting and sharing knowledge with other local green thumbs. Over time it will also help establish a collection of seeds that have adapted local growing conditions. I encourage everyone to participate in this exciting project, get their hands dirty, and 'branch out' into a new hobby."
A full range of seeds for 12 different vegetables, herbs and flowers are now available for borrowing from Dalby, Chinchilla and Tara Libraries, with a smaller selection available at the other Western Downs Libraries branches.
Locals will be able to borrow up to four seed packets per month, with participants asked to allow at least one plant to go to seed, or collect the seeds from their produce, and return them to the Seed Library in the provided collection envelopes. Each seed packet includes a growing guide, and the region's libraries also house a wide selection of books and resources available for borrowing covering everything from gardening to cooking with fresh herbs and produce.
