Comments

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  Liz & Dan April 2, 2022 at 3:59pm

  It was Kathy’s labor of love to make that seed library at Glendale happen - without a dedicated person to help manage the seed donation requests and keeping things stocked, the library does the best it can.
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    Peggy Hayes > Liz & Dan April 2, 2022 at 4:07pm

    Well, I am very thankful for what she did. It was an amazing service while it lasted. I miss it so much!
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  Liz & Dan April 2, 2022 at 3:57pm

  Yes there is often a big disconnect between the person handing out the seeds and knowledge on anything garden related. My local library here in Phoenix would love to have a gardener come and help with the seed library but I don’t have the time to volunteer in that capacity. I also miss the VPA and that’s why I fought so hard to keep this forum existing as a record of what’s been done. I would LOVE to bring back some of the programming that has slipped away - like the tour de coups and more volunteering opportunities. Right now I’m spending time with the Herb Association and the Master Gardeners. It might be that we could educate the libraries to be better stewards and maybe get some gardeners volunteering in the libraries more!
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    Peggy Hayes > Liz & Dan April 2, 2022 at 4:05pm

    Excellent idea! Hopefully, we can revive this forum!
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  Alisa Phillips April 2, 2022 at 3:33pm

  

  I haven't been impressed with the seed library. They probably could use donations -- they tend to give out so few seeds, and when they don't all germinate it is very frustrating. They don't seem to understand that while, say, 3-5 tomato or squash seeds may be adequate to get *one* viable plant (more if you're lucky), it is quite likely that with 3 lettuce seeds that nothing will even sprout...or one will sprout and then get damped off. It would be interesting to get some feedback from the people who actually have gotten seeds from the library's seedbank regarding how successful the program actually is as currently constituted. Also, with librarians disbursing seeds, the person doing the disbursing usually knows nothing about when to plant, how to germinate, etc., so the community aspect of someone with experience coaching a novice is completely lost. (I miss the VPA.)
  
  The last time I got seeds from them, one of the things I asked for was lettuce. I received 3 seeds. None sprouted. Now, I have considerable experience sprouting seeds and growing plants, and I don't let such setbacks stop me from trying again and again. However, for novices, this doesn't work well. (My experience with the seed library was with the VPA and then with the Phoenix Public Library -- perhaps other area libraries are doing a better job of this.)
  
  I've just been collecting red lettuce seeds and will soon be collecting radish seeds. I'll likely have enough to swap. I have a lot of arugula seeds from last year.
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    Peggy Hayes > Alisa Phillips April 2, 2022 at 4:02pm

    

    Nice! I have some heirloom lettuce seeds I can share with you as well. My lettuce is mainly a green leafy variety. I would love some red lettuce and radish seeds. I would not mind trying some arugula too. I also have cilantro too. I have watermelon, peas, and hollyhock seeds as well.
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    Liz & Dan > Peggy Hayes April 3, 2022 at 8:26am

    

    I’ve got a big crop of red lettuce seed to harvest :) I also have Molokai seeds (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corchorus_olitorius) and a bunch of random stuff! It’s hard to know what might interest you. I also have a Cuban oregano plant if anyone wants cuttings?

    Corchorus olitorius

    Jute mallow or nalta jute (Corchorus olitorius, also known as "Jew's mallow", "tossa jute", "bush okra", "krinkrin", "etinyung", "Mulukhiyah", and "W…
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  Liz & Dan April 2, 2022 at 3:26pm

  The seed library was integrated into the actual library - they thought it was a good idea and now many libraries across the valley are hosting their own seed libraries so the need for the VPA to do it kind of fizzled. https://glendaleazlibrary.com/events_services/seed_library
  Call them up and see how well stocked it is. I’m sure they would love some donations :)

  Seed Library
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    Peggy Hayes > Liz & Dan April 2, 2022 at 3:57pm

    Thank you for the update.
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  Peggy Hayes April 2, 2022 at 1:14pm

  I am in Glendale. I don’t have any specific seeds in mind. I like to save seeds and would love to share or swap. VPA had a seed library at a Glendale library once a month, but that ended many years ago. I don’t really know what resources are available in my area. Thank you for adding me and reaching out.