The Huron County Seed Library continues to help local residents grow their gardens by offering free seeds through all 12 branches of the Huron County Library system.
Tanis VanderMolen, branch manager of the Exeter, Hensall and Kirkton libraries, says the Exeter branch has been offering the Huron County Seed Library for many years now.
As the central location, Exeter stores the seed collection and processes seed donations received at library branches across the county. Once donations arrive in Exeter, they are sorted, packaged, and redistributed to library users.
Residents can request up to five seed packages at a time through the Huron County Library website. Once the request is submitted, library staff prepare the order and send it to the branch selected by the user for pickup.
VanderMolen says one of the biggest benefits of the program is that it helps remove barriers for people who want to start gardening while also allowing them to experiment with different plant varieties.
The library has also expanded its collection of native plant seeds, which are becoming increasingly popular among gardeners looking to support pollinators and create environmentally friendly gardens.
And for those who think they may have missed the spring planting season, Tanis says there is still plenty of time to get growing.
The available seed selection changes throughout the year depending on donations and inventory.
Anyone interested in requesting seeds can visit the Huron County Library website and access the Seed Library request form. Those who need assistance or are not comfortable using a computer can contact their local library branch, where staff will help complete the request.
Library officials encourage residents to take advantage of the program and wish everyone a successful gardening season.
