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by Julie Cordingley
I have just finished reading the book Wild Dark Shores by Charlotte McConaghy. I loved it as well as her two others. All three have an environmental impact theme integral to her well written fictional story line: Migration deals with the disappearance of Artic terns on the brink of their extinction; Once There Were Wolves argues for the reintroduction of wolves to combat overgrazing of farmland; and Wild Dark Shore's focus is insistence on protecting a multi-national seed vault from earth’s destruction due to overpopulation and severe climate change.
As I was returning Wild Dark Shore to Boyertown Community Library, I happened to glance over to a new display set up near the circulation desk. There was a small teal cabinet loaded with information about a seed exchange. What drew my attention were the numerous colorful packets of vegetable and flower seeds… reminiscent of Walmart’s seed carol.
If nothing else, those seeds were a welcome sight to remind me that spring and summer will come eventually! Hmm… seems like a little bit of a stretch here - Boyertown’s seed exchange vs McConaghy’s entire earth’s seed vault. But then again, maybe not…and why not?
Seed exchanges have been around ever since people have been “workin’ the land,” but have steadily gained popularity in the last 20+ years. These exchanges have grown in influence to be considered the latest Green Revolution. Penn State Master Gardeners in partnership with Berks Nature and Rockland Roots nursery have chosen numerous public libraries for their seed exchange with the goal “to promote and educate the public on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship.” Although this is only the second year that the Boyertown Library has hosted the exchange, it too has gained in numbers.
What it comes down to is knowledgeable gardeners helping others to learn the best practices of gardening relative to a particular area and climate. It takes into account soil types, pest resistance, pollinators, growing techniques, and success rates – just some of the many topics that US-wide, commercially based large store chains cannot fully address. It is our own tailor-made program for our own native plants.
Exchanges are invaluable as an entry point for the new gardener as well as increasing chances for discovery of rare varieties by seasoned masters. But there is so much more in the in- between; it is grass roots information swapping to ensure that our food supply is healthy, thriving, and sustainable.
At the library, along with the seed packets, is a three-ring binder of numerous garden plants, as well as bushes and shrubbery. Along with their pictures are their incredibly long Latin names as well as other pertinent growing information. Alas, I found out my backyard butterfly bushes are considered an invasive species. I vowed that I would keep an eye on them so that they don’t happen to wander over to my neighbor. But then, this article is all about the importance of seeds, so I may have to rethink about how to go about the bush and its seeds. I would hate to rip them out.
What is nice about this this teal desk and its offerings is that on the most basic level, it is self-serve. You want to grow sunflowers? Take a packet. But if there is more of a need (like my butterfly bush conundrum), there are programs AND master gardeners that can be helpful in that regard. The first of many monthly programs is offered is at the end of this month which is very timely. Why? Because the last Saturday in January is National Seed Swap Day.
I intend to join this revolution.
Participating Libraries
Bernville Area Community Library
Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library
Reading Public Library (main branch)
It has been over 40 years since a chemist job in Malvern lured Julie Cordingley away from her up state, New York home. She is a proud resident of Gilbertsville! Besides working in industry, at various times she has been a stay-at-home mom, and has just recently retired from Phoenixville Area School District as a (wait for it!) chemistry teacher. It has been a life-long dream to be a writer. She figures she can work at that craft while also traveling with her husband in their drivable RV… a retirement present to herself!
More News from Boyertown
- Every Day Can Be a Day of Remembrance Holocaust Remembrance Day calls us not only to remember history, but also to recommit ourselves to human dignity.
- Local Landscape Fuels Writers' Imaginations Three writers bring local areas to life.
