Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
Calling all aspiring green thumbs: You can start or supplement your garden with a Seed Library! Stock up on seeds at the Clifton, Wyoming, and Walnut Hills branches.
While there is no limit to the number of seed packets you can take per visit, the Library asks that gardeners be mindful to only take what they plan to use. You can visit each Seed Library during their respective branch’s regular hours. Happy planting!
The Clifton Branch Seed Library
The Clifton Branch’s Seed Library has a rotating stock of seeds to choose from, including herbs and vegetables, and is currently stocked through a partnership with the University of Cincinnati Horticulture Club.
The idea for Clifton’s Seed Library grew out of the branch’s Plant Club, which meets every third Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Aimed at adults and teens, the Plant Club is for everyone from hopeful houseplant parents to well-established gardeners.
Community has taken root in Clifton, too. Library Customer Advisor Katie Burnside says that Plant Club members share not only seeds, but skills on how to plant and save them.
In May, the club will host their third annual Plant Fest on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mark your calendar and bring pest-free, non-invasive plants, cuttings, or seeds to swap. You can also bring gently used planter pots, learn about composting, get sustainable gardening tips, and enjoy a refreshing cup of lemonade. All ages are welcome! (There will be a scavenger hunt, crafts, and games for kids.)
The Wyoming Branch Seed Library
Head to the Wyoming Branch for vegetables, herbs, and annual flower seeds. The branch’s Seed Library was made possible through a partnership with the Wyoming Girl Scout Troop.
Have leftover seeds? Come fall, Library customers are encouraged to return seeds they didn’t use. According to the Civic Garden Center, you can save seeds from a variety of crops, including veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers.
Harvesting seeds vary from crop to crop, but it’s recommended to store them in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Label the container with the plant’s name, variety, and the date you collected the seed.
The Walnut Hills Branch Seed Library
Stop by Walnut Hill Branch's Seed Library, grab a packet (or two, or three) of vegetable seeds, and plant your heart out. Like the other Seed Libraries, Walnut Hills’ selection is driven by donations received. The branch's most recent large donation was from the Society of St. Andrew. At any given time, your visit to the Seed Library may yield different finds for your garden!
“We love to see what customers grow in their gardens and have a few that regularly share updates,” says Ashley Barnhill, senior branch manager.
More Library Plant and Garden Events!
Along with Clifton’s Plant Fest, several branches are hosting swaps, meetups, or other plant-lover-related events.
- Monfort Heights Plant Swap on Saturday, April 26, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Monfort Heights Branch
- Plant Swap on Saturday, April 26, from 1-3 p.m. at the Forest Park Branch
- Community Plant Swap on Saturday, April 26, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Maderia Branch
- Grown Folks Craftin’: Container Gardening on Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m.-noon at the West End Branch
- Spring Plant Swap on Saturday, May 10, from 11 a.m.-noon at the Groesbeck Branch
- A Garden for All, on multiple Saturdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Madisonville Branch
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