FALLIN’ FOR FALL
Free seeds, free books: Seed Libraries encourage plant growth
BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer
Growing a vegetable or pollinator garden is a popular hobby these days, and fall is the right time of year to start The East Baton Rouge Parish Library is here to help — 10 of the 15 library branches are participating in the Seed Library initiative, a free program committed to offering gardening education and seeds so people can have healthy foods
The program prioritizes herbs and vegetables that are either native to Louisiana or thrive particularly well in the local area. One of the library’s goals is to foster sustainability when it comes to gardening, so the seeds won’t be invasive species that would harm or take over a garden Allison Gianelloni, the community programming librarian, read about seed libraries popping up in libraries throughout the country and thought it was something she could bring to Baton Rouge. She started a trial seed library at the Greenville Springs branch, and it was received well. Once she moved to the Main Library in January, she brought the idea with her and repurposed a card catalog cabinet as the container for seeds found on the second floor near the nonfiction collection. How the Seed Library works
The Seed Library operates entirely through seeds donated by seed companies
and library patrons. Local organizations like Baton Roots and Wild Ones donate native plant and vegetable seeds. Carrie Schmidt-de la Fuente, a reference librarian at the Main Library, works consistently to procure donations in the community and keep the library stocked. All
Drug Take Back Day Oct. 25
boxes, etc., and from each other Place wheels of the cart toward the house.
of the seed libraries operate on the honor system, meaning that patrons are asked to take only what they plan to grow in a season, so the seeds can be shared with other library users. And while having an East Baton Rouge Parish Library card grants access to a
BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer
The Broncos continue to roll after a 51-6 win over Opelousas. Zachary (4-0) will begin district play this week against Scotlandville (1-4) and is left as the only undefeated team in District 4-5A. Zachary has won all four games by double digits, including an impressive 52-28 victory over Plaquemine (41) to open the season. Central (4-1) fell at home Friday to Lafayette Christian 55-48. Catholic-BR
number of services, having one is not required to participate in this program.
To use the Seed Library at various branches, sign your name in the binder take 2-3 seeds for each plant, pack the seeds in provided envelopes, label them with the correct information, and then grow the plant at home.
Returning seeds is not required but is encouraged for easy-to-save seeds (lettuce, tomatoes, beans, peas, etc.). Returned seeds will help to keep the library wellstocked for future users. Basic seed-saving techniques can be found on the library website under the ”Planting Guides” tab.
“I’m always still learning,” Gianelloni said. “I’m not an expert at all. I’ve never done the wet seed saving. People can save their seeds, then drop them off here in the little seed returns.”
Gianelloni recalled one family heirloom plant that was left with a little note attached that said the flower seed was from a neighbor’s yard, and the donor wanted to share it with the community
“Because of this program, we are now growing summer squash and bush beans at our house, and we will continue to grow more,” Caitlin Wilson wrote in an email to Gianelloni.
The program is still in its pilot phase, but East Baton Rouge Parish Library hopes to bring it to all 15 library locations in the future.
dropped to 3-2 after a narrow 27-26 defeat to Madison-Ridgeland Academy, the top-ranked team in Mississippi, according to MaxPreps. While district play has yet to start for any team in District 4-5A, the Broncos are set up nicely with an unblemished start. Slaughter’s shutouts Through five weeks, several schools have boasted impressive defensive performances. However, the Knights have a case to say they’ve been the best.
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Each branch’s collection of seeds is different depending on donations and stock. Visit each location for a complete and up-to-date list of currently available seeds.
A Seed Library near you
n Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., at the second floor near the nonfiction section
n Carver Branch Library, 720 Terrace Ave., at the circulation desk
n Central Branch Library, 11260 Joor Road, across from the reference desk
n Fairwood Branch Library, 12910 Old Hammond Highway, near the circulation desk
n Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch Library, 11300 Greenwell Springs Road, in the lobby
n Jones Creek Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road, near the circulation desk
n Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library 13600 Port Hudson-Pride Road
n South Branch Library, 2210 Glasgow Ave., between the children’s area and adult’s area
n Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church St., behind the circulation desk.
In addition to the seed libraries themselves, the program also hosts Garden Discovery community gardening events, suggests plant and garden reading lists and provides resources on their website, ebrpl. libguides.com/seedlibrary Upcoming events include a Linda Barber Auld, the NOLA BugLady, presentation about “Monarchs, Migration, Milkweed, and OE” at 10 a.m. Oct. 11 at the Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd Then, Community Gardening Day is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov 8 at the Main Library EBRPL is teaming up with the Louisiana Wild Society to install a native plant garden near the front entrance of the Main Library The morning will include planting demos and hands-on learning There will be workshops throughout the day, including a presentation from Janine Kharey of Wild Ones GBR about “What You Plant Can Make a Difference” at 10 a.m., and a Seed Sorting and Saving Demo from Mitchell Provensal of Baton Roots. Gianelloni says now is the perfect time to plant native plant seeds because they need cold stratification, which means they need to be cold before they germinate. In the springtime they should sprout Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@ theadvocate.com
Tammy Kazmierczak browses the native seed selection at the seed library at Main Library. STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
