Free vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seeds will be available from the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library beginning next week.
The seed library is a collaboration between the public library and the Christian County Master Gardeners Association.
Beginning April 7 and continuing from 8 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday while supplies last, the library will place bags with a variety of seeds on a book cart outside the library’s front entrance on Bethel Street.
“It is our hope that your life will be enriched by growth, renewal and the beauty of nature during this time of social distancing and being at home,” said library employee Martha Land, who manages the seed program.
Experienced and aspiring gardeners are invited to borrow seeds and grow the plants at home. At the end of the growing season, the library hopes to receive back a portion of seeds produced by the plants. If the gardeners bring those seeds to library this year, they can be shared next year in the seed library.
Many of the seeds were donated by the Master Gardeners Association, Lowe’s, Walmart, Tractor Supply and Superlawn & Garden.
“The library, along with so many other businesses and organizations, are working to maintain as much normalcy as possible during the pandemic,” DeeAnna Sova, library director, said. “The seed library has grown in popularity the last few years and this is a way the community can continue to enjoy this program, despite the current circumstances.”
The library remains closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The website has information about e-books and audiobooks that are still accessible.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
