We really missed the Cleveland Seed Bank’s annual seed swap this year, typically held in January where growers and potential growers gather to share the seeds they saved from last year’s harvest. pick up free seed packets provided by the seed bank and learn about farming from environmentally friendly nonprofits, farms, and businesses offering growing-related products and services.
The pandemic wiped away the event for 2021, despite the massive surge of interest in home growing last year that appears to be continuing into this one. Luckily, the Cleveland Seed Bank has another way to get its seeds into the hands of local amateur growers. It’s partnered with a number of local libraries to place “seed libraries” there. They opened in late March at a dozen library branches in the Cleveland, Elyria, Rocky River, Shaker Heights and Willoughby systems. Home gardeners can check out up to five packets a month of 24 varieties of organic vegetables, flowers and herbs, for free. The program continues through mid-September. Go here to learn more and find out where you can pick up seeds.
And if you want to help support the work of the nonprofit Cleveland Seed Bank you can become a member at hummingbirdproject.org/membership-form.