Amy Hume
When Kylie Swain began a seed library for Woodend in 2020 she was hopeful the concept would spread its roots.
The seed library allows residents to ‘borrow’ seeds to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers at home in exchange for ‘return’ seeds from their crop.
Now into its third year, the project is taking seed in Kyneton with a launch planned at Kyneton Library on May 13.
“People do travel to come and get seeds so it’s good to start getting local seeds into every town,” Ms Swain said.
Other towns have also expressed interest in the idea including Romsey, which is expected to launch soon.
The project not only spreads the love of gardening, it also produces more resilient plants fit for the Ranges sometimes tough winters.
“If seed is collected from and grown in the local area it becomes acclimatised and ready to take on the seasons – for the Macedon Ranges, which experiences frosts, that’s a great thing,” said seed library volunteer Marie Marmara.
Ms Marmara is an avid home grower from Gisborne, also with more than 30 years of experience working in nurseries.
“Another thing that is so great about sharing seeds is introducing young people to gardening so they can see how things grow and where their food comes from,” she said.
Based at the Woodend Library, the seed library brings together volunteers with common interest who help fold seed packets. These are created from the pages of decommissioned library books – that is, those otherwise destined for the recycling bin!
Librarian Mandy McFarlane said the project had generated plenty of intrigue from the community.
“There’s so much interest from people coming into the library – they ask questions about how it all works,” she said.
Ms Swain said among the supporters was the Woodend Kindergarten, which brought children to visit each season.
Kyneton’s own seed library will launch at Kyneton Library on May 13 from 10am to noon.
The day will include seed packet making, child-friendly activities, seed planting, seed ball making and, of course, free seeds to take home.
Donations of seeds to kickstart the Kyneton collection are welcomed, as well as volunteers to keep a steady pile of seed packets.
