February is a great time to begin thinking about what you want to plant. A great place to start is at the Sundberg Library at Kirkwood where the Seed Library offers free seeds for check out.
The seeds provided are saved from local gardens as well as the Sustainability Village and Gardens here on Kirkwood’s campus. This makes sure these seeds are used to Iowa’s climate, especially around the Cedar Rapids area.
The library provides seeds for everything from vegetables, native flowers and trees.
We only ask that you save some seeds from your own plant to bring back at the end of its growing season to continue the cycle.
Just come to the circulation desk and ask to see our seed library binder to browse through our collection, fill out the form—so we know what is popular, list any information you need on your packet and stick the seeds in your preferred soil.
Seed starting can begin in early March, placing seed trays in a southern facing windowsill that gets lots of sunlight before being transplanted outside in May. Keeping them moist and in direct sunlight will help seeds grow into stable seedlings.
Planning the seeds that you will grow in the spring should start now to determine the time seedlings can be put outside when appropriate temperatures arrive.
The Kirkwood Seed Library website (https://guides.kirkwood.edu/seed-library/welcome) can give you lots of resources to learn where to begin or which method best suits your living conditions. After all, even a small apartment can grow a potted garden.
The library has physical book and ebooks that cover a wide range of gardening topics.
From plant species, growing tips and maintenance to specific topics such as handling pests, hardiness zones and saving seeds, there are resources for any questions you might have.
Categories: Feature, Library Update
