Sowing, harvesting, swapping: City library opens "seed library"

From Thursday, 13 March, all gardening enthusiasts will be able to borrow seeds from the city library "for the fifth year"and take part in the sustainable project. To kick off this so-called "seed library", the library is organising two events on the topic of sustainability for children and adults.

Background

Five years ago, Bocholt City Library opened the seed library for the first time - a project to preserve native species. The principle: borrow "seeds" free of charge, sow them in the garden or on the balcony, let the plants grow and harvest them at the end of the season. The seeds obtained can then be returned to the library and used sustainably for other people the following year.

"With our seed library, we want to raise awareness of local biodiversity. Above all, however, we also want to offer our users a space to exchange seeds and share the joy of gardening", explains City Library employee Martin Wintermeier.

Launch of the seed lending programme with two hands-on events

This year, the seed library will once again be open to all interested parties just in time for the start of the gardening season. To kick things off on 13 March, the city library invites all gardening enthusiasts to the children's and youth library from 3.30 pm. There, expert Torsten Wollberg from the Essbare Stadt Bocholt-Borken e.V. association will be giving helpful tips on "Sustainable Gardening" and answering questions about vegetables and the like.

For children aged 5 and over, there will also be a hands-on activity where they can paint clay growing pots. Registrations for the children's event are accepted at stadtbibliothek(at)bocholt(dot)de. Anyone interested can drop by the children's and youth library from 3.30 pm to 5 pm to talk to Torsten Wollberg.

Seed donations can be handed in at any time

From 14 March, gardening enthusiasts will find the seed library on the ground floor of the city library. Various types of vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers will be available to borrow. These are high-quality organic seeds.

The city library is happy to receive seed donations, which can be handed in at the information desk at any time. As a small thank you, all donors receive a voucher when they hand in their seeds and can use it to take part in a herb tour through the Edible City in Bocholt.