Thousands of years ago our ancestors led a nomadic life, following the food chain and forever on the lookout for edible grains and berries. Yes, some were lucky enough to live in areas where aquatic creatures were abundant, but many tribes, the hunter-gathers, had to hit the trail whenever stomachs started to rumble. That all changed when one of the smarter ones (it must have been a woman) came up with the idea of starting permanent settlements where animals could be domesticated and cultivation of the land produced edible grains and vegetables. One story told is that this became very popular when people learned how to turn grain into alcoholic beverages. This could just be an early urban legend!
The hunter-gatherers are still among us, searching the forests for wild mushrooms and other delicacies, as well as hunting wild game to supplement the family’s supply of meat. For the most part today, the majority of our hunting-gathering is done in local grocery stores. All our dietary needs and beyond are in one location, food from all over the world is ready to be plucked off the counter and taken home.
The convenience of modern grocery stores is wonderful and I certainly wouldn’t want to be without them but… How many of you have picked up a store-bought tomato with perfect skin and smelled it? Nothing. When you cut it up and added it to your salad, did you pour on lots of dressing because the tomato didn’t have much taste, and neither did the lettuce?
Think back to those days when maybe your family had a vegetable garden in the backyard. It may not have been much, but there were usually a few tomato and pepper plants at least, and perhaps some onions and watermelon. I remember helping my dad pull out weeds and “accidentally” soaking myself while watering the plants and playing with the caterpillars. Finally, the day came when the tomatoes turned red and were screaming to be removed from the vine. Can you remember the tomato’s warmth from the sun and the aroma as the globe was sliced very thin and loaded onto white bread that was smeared with mayo? Heaven!!!
For various reasons, many of us chose to leave that lifestyle behind and instead rely on food that we have no connection with except the financial transaction. We didn’t have the time, the money for seeds, or the knowledge of the requirements for a successful garden. There were always those folks who went against the norm and did keep gardens and were successful at providing food for their families and planned ahead for the next year. They kept track of what grew best in their area and how to best battle bad bugs and blight while encouraging pollinators to increase their crop. They dried the seeds from the best of their produce and kept them safe to plant the following year. Those folks were out there but we didn’t hear much about them. Then COVID came!
Suddenly the world was on lockdown and we had nowhere to go. Our workplaces were closed as well as restaurants and movie theaters. Masks were worn everywhere and we slathered ourselves in hand sanitizer. We became homebodies. Home improvement projects surged during this time. Those now working from home needed a space as well as children who no longer attended school. Then you had homeowners who had been putting off projects where time was no longer a viable excuse. Since indoor space was being used now by more people, why not do more with the outdoors? Decks were added as well as patios, and what would be better than some plants!
Many of us had gardens long before COVID but it did create plenty of new converts. Information was important for gardens to get off to a good start. When you buy seeds at a dollar store, they are inexpensive but, where did they come from and will they grow in your area? More expensive seeds can be gotten for your particular zone but that covers a pretty wide range. What plant draws pollinators? Do you know which plants should not be grown close together, and which ones should? This is where a neighboring seed library comes in. There are thousands of seed libraries around the world.
A patron walked into our local library some time in 2019 and inquired about the feasibility of starting a seed library. A seed was planted. Librarian, Elizabeth Jones, researched the possibility and, the project took off. Even with COVID restrictions a group of growers gathered. Seed donations came from seed companies, individuals in the community, and from the library’s budget. Meetings are held at the library where a Master Gardener may give a presentation dealing with matters relevant to our growing area. Questions are raised and stories are told. Seeds can be taken out during the correct planting time using our library cards and plant kits were assembled and distributed last year with everything needed for spaghetti. I’m looking forward to what will be in the kit this time. This year approximately 150 members are signed up with around 50 to 75 actively involved. Not bad for a small town.
Elizabeth could have stopped at doing the basic requirements for maintaining a local seed library but with the attitude that education is the goal, she created a website where anyone interested in first time gardening or seed saving techniques could go for help. There is a wealth of information that growers around the world can benefit from. The site takes you from your first thought of beginning a garden to how to preserve the bounty you’ll receive from your labor. Please check out this website at www.excelatgardening.com. No matter where you live or how long you’ve been gardening, you’ll find something of interest.
Elizabeth shared a website that was beneficial to her when she first started this project. If you have an interest in a seed library near your home, you might want to pass this on to your local library http://seedlibraries.weebly.com/sister-libraries.html. Different rules and regulations regarding the donation of seeds depend on where you live so that might be something to look into. There is a lot of work involved but it sounds like a great way to bring people together to educate them, feed them and give them bragging rights for the biggest Zucchini.
Sharon