The new Hobsons Bay seed library has proved popular with the community, giving locals a chance to try their hand at being a green thumb.
My Smart Garden Sustainability Officer Kat Lavers, said the seed library located in the EnviroCentre at Altona Library, is a lovely way for people to exchange seeds with their neighbours.
“The idea behind the library is desgined so people can borrow three packets every season from the library,” she said.
“They can grow whatever plants they like at home , we’ve got food plants as well as native plants.
“These include lots of veggies, tomatoes , wild flowers and grasses which are really important for creating habitat in Hobsons Bay.
“It’s exciting because they can save some seed from their plants at home, and then return it to the lab or for other people to share.”
Kat said the installation of the seed library came about due to the growth in popularity for home gardening.
“It became really popular recently due to the pandemic and also the cost of living pressures.
“One of the expenses and barriers for people getting started is accessing seeds.”
Even though the seed library is new for Hobsons Bay, this initiative is now a worldwide movement.
“There are so many libraries who have picked up this initiative, libraries are a really ideal environment of course, because they are already designed to lend things out,” said Kat
“As well as being a climate controlled space, which is really good for keeping the seeds as healthy as possible.”
The seed library was funded through the pitch my project request from the community, to teach people to grow plants from seed.
