Newcastle Seed Libraries in Newcastle, New South Wales | Community organisation

Newcastle Seed Libraries

Locality: Newcastle, New South Wales

Address: 30 Bunn St 2287 Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Website: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library/experience/library-projects/newcastle-seed-library

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25.01.2022 The free seed saving workshop held a week ago at Silsoe Street Community Gardens was packed out! The feedback was very positive with highlights including: "Open discussion, friendly presenter, practical activities, very well set up, freebies!" "Learning new skills" "Great with Lachie, informative, fun, community spirited, participation, venue"... If you couldn't make it (or even if you did) - you can view 4 short seed saving videos on the Newcastle Libraries website....just scroll down a bit. These videos will help you at all stages in your seed saving journey. https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au//l/newcastle-seed-library

25.01.2022 Newly donated seeds NOW AVAILABLE AT WALLSEND LIBRARY including Sunflower 'Surprise', Mayfield Poppies, Parsley - Flat Leaf and Lettuce - Mixed. Note that the sunflowers are a 'surprise' because the person who donated the seeds had grown 2m tall sunflowers as well as a shorter variety and mixed the seeds...so it will be a surprise as to what pops up! These are not the sunflower sold commercially under the name 'Sunflower Surprise'. More seeds have recently been donated includ...ing various types of wattle, snapdragons, common poppy, hippiastums and gladioli! All flowers are from Warabrook. Plus a heap of indigenous seeds too. Thank you to our generous community for sharing their seeds :) Please remember when you donate seeds to provide as much information about the seeds as possible. Grab one of the empty seed packets available with the seed library display at Wallsend Library and either pop your seeds in one of them and fill in the details OR write the relevant details on your own envelope. The info we are looking for includes: Seed type, variety, date harvested, where collected, when to plant and planting notes. Image: Sunflower with blue sky background. Photo by Jirasin Yossri on Unsplash

24.01.2022 Ohhh....look what I spied on the shelf at Beresfield Library today when I was shelving!!! The Seed Savers' Handbook by Michel and Jude Fanton. We've put together reading lists of seed related books (for adults and children). You'll find them on the Newcastle Seed Library page on the Newcastle Libraries website (scroll down past the instructional videos). https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au//l/newcastle-seed-library... Image: Front cover of The Seed Savers' Handbook by Michel and Jude Fanton. Orange background with illustrated seeds. Other library books in the background.

21.01.2022 Wow! What an inspirational seed bank! Here at Newcastle Seed Library we aim to preserve rare, tasty and historical varieties for gardeners in our community. Through the return of successful seeds, over time a collection adapted to local conditions (climate, pests, soils, etc) can be achieved, strengthening the biodiversity and food security of our local community. Thanks everyone for their donations - new seeds will be available from Wallsend Library on Saturday . Will post once they are there!

12.01.2022 We commissioned a local poet Laura Roberts to write three poems inspired by seeds. These are now displayed at Wallsend Library on the glass walls behind the Seed Library display unit. We hope they inspire you to reflect on the symbolism that seeds represent in life! Some secrets... Some secrets are planted Nestled between deep folds The seasons turn like pages They are buried, lost, untold Down among the wizened roots The world stretches and sighs She waits patiently for spring Stirring from sleep To waking life. Night falls Night falls like a curtain Draping shadow over dreams The light of distant stars Glitters through the trees The moon pulls the rolling tide By her grace all things are led The path to peace is seeded By the steps we Bravely tread. Colour is Colour is a cartwheel A dance on slender stems Their dresses all in disarray Happiness unhemmed. So delicate is beauty All effort woven underneath The seed of their intention A wish upon the wind. Words and illustrations by Laura Roberts.

12.01.2022 This week we have been so blessed to receive seed donations from a number of community members! And more seeds are being donated tomorrow at the sold out seed saving workshop at Silsoe Street Community Gardens. In a few weeks you will be able to pick up Mayfield Poppies, Mayfield Sunflower 'Surprise', Cooks Hill Calendula, Morpeth Rocket and Wallsend Flat Leaf Parsley! As more generous people donate seeds, we will have plenty to share for all! Honestly the amount of parsley that has been donated will surely supply the whole of Newcastle

09.01.2022 Drum roll....the Newcastle Seed Library will be accessible from Wallsend Library from 6 October!!! Woo hoo!!! Borrow and grow, then harvest and share is our motto. The Newcastle Seed Library is a new community run initiative of Newcastle Libraries, individual community volunteers and community gardens across the LGA. It is like a regular library, yet for seeds. The Seed Library is free for library members they are able to take home some seeds, just as they would borrow a bo...ok. After growing in their garden, they are encouraged to harvest and return seeds to the Seed Library for others to borrow. Save the date for a FREE seed saving workshop for Newcastle Libraries members on 31 October. We'll post here once the booking link is live. Check the dedicated Newcastle Seed Library page on the Newcastle Libraries website to find out how you can get involved. https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au//l/newcastle-seed-library If you have seeds to donate already, please let us know!

08.01.2022 Slow Food Hunter Valley have put together this great list of seed libraries from across the Hunter region - check it out!

07.01.2022 Introducing the location of the upcoming Seed Saving Workshop on 14 November - Silsoe Street Community Gardens - a vibrant garden with an even more vibrant community of local gardeners! Silsoe Street Community Gardens is based in Mayfield and has been running for around 15 years. New members are always welcome and everyone contributes their skills and time as they can. Regular working bees are held every second Sunday (the next one is this Sunday 8 November, from 3pm). They'v...e just started a free informal kids group called Little Green Thumbs that runs on a Friday morning. All welcome! We are really looking forward to this next workshop where participants will learn how to save the right seed, prepare seeds for storage, monitor seed quality and grow from seed. Highlights of the workshop held last week included: 'Great presenter, practical component', 'All of it was interesting and very informative. The presenter was knowledgeable, amusing, lighthearted and entertaining.' 'Seeing different techniques' The 14 November workshop is fully booked out with 10 people on the waitlist. If you have registered for this event you will receive three reminders from me via eventbrite! If are unable to make it (for any reason) please cancel your ticket so we can give your spot to someone on the waitlist. Thanks Image: Wide shot of Silsoe Street Community Garden showing garden beds and plants and a number of people.

05.01.2022 Christina had a lovely day sitting in the sun last Saturday at the HMC Car Boot Sale chatting with community members about the Newcastle Seed Library! We will let you know on here when the Seed Library is open at the Wallsend library branch. PS - it's soon!!! Photo: Christina sits behind a table covered with a green tablecloth. She's smiling and wearing a blue cap. A community member is standing to the side facing the camera. The table displays a metal box, seed packets and various signs. Photo credit - Mary Gissing.

04.01.2022 Looking for some gardening fun for kids these school holidays? Check out these free Newcastle Libraries events for library members. https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/libr/experience/what-s-on

04.01.2022 Whether you're a kid or an adult, we've got some great seed related books for you to borrow at the library. Scroll down past the videos on the Newcastle Seed Library page to view the recommended reading lists. Newcastle Libraries members can log into their account via the Newcastle Libraries website and place a hold on any of these items and nominate a library branch where you can pick it up! https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au//l/newcastle-seed-library