Family Gardening
The Diaz family
In February of 2019, the Greenville County Library System and Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWCD) joined forces to introduce the Upstate’s first Seed Library at the Sarah Dobey Jones Branch Library in Berea. Community Relations Coordinator for GCSWCD, Shelby Cohen, shares that the Seed Library was created “to provide education on growing food, flowers, and native plants; increase local food production and promote healthy diets; and help preserve plant diversity with heirloom seeds.” The Seed Library houses over 60 varieties of seeds donated by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, Slow Food Upstate, and Sow True Seeds. The seeds are stored in packets featuring the name and variety of each seed; when to plant the seed; the amount
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LIBRARY NOW // Spring/Summer 2020
of sun and shade needed; and spacing, planting depth, and days until harvest;— taking the guess work out of planting and care. Visitors to the Seed Library select up to ten seed packets, present their selections and their library card at the circulation desk, and take their seed packets home to plant and enjoy. According to Cohen, last fall, the Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District received a grant from Duke Energy that “has allowed for the expansion of the Seed Library”—incorporating a Pop-Up Seed Library which is making appearances at various library events and Bookmobile stops throughout Greenville County during 2020. For individuals who still aren’t sure what to do with their seeds, Greater Greenville Master Gardener, Chair, Speakers
