Where can I get plant seeds for free in New Westminster BC?

New West residents will soon be able to try flower, vegetable and herb seeds from the New Westminster Public Library.

As of February 11, the New Westminster Public Library joins the ranks of several libraries across Canada that have established a seed library.

“We hope that people will take some seeds, grow a garden however and wherever they are, and then bring some of the seeds they produce back to us to share,” says Caitlin MacRae, librarian at the NWPL and coordinator of the seed library. “Saving seeds is actually fun, free, and a great way to expand your gardening knowledge while being part of a larger community effort to go green.”

Users have free access to a variety of seed types, including vegetables, flowers, and a variety of herbs.

The idea of ​​a seed library is not new to libraries, but it is a new endeavor for the New Westminster Public Library.

Christopher Koth, the library’s manager of community programs and services, said the library lends books about gardening, but after being approached by members of the local community, she realized there was an amazing opportunity to expand citywide efforts to advance issues around to support climate protection and food security by offering this type of service.

The library’s strategic plan for 2021-2025 highlights the City of New Westminster’s seven bold steps to take climate action as a priority.

“They (Seed Libraries) beautifully encapsulate a lot of the great things that libraries represent – the importance of community, decommercialization and free resources for all, and education,” said MacRae recording in 2022 when it was announced that a seed library would be established in New West. “They also address many community priorities such as climate change (more green space and gardening is good for everyone), food security (a pressing concern for many in our community) and community connection.”

launch party

Beginning Saturday, February 11, gardeners of all kinds can visit the library’s main branch at 716 Sixth Ave. go, fill out a short registration form, and then “check out” some seeds. A small number of gardening tools and planting templates are also available for hire, whether people are planting a small container on a balcony or creating their own garden in a backyard.

Collection details are available at www.nwpl.ca/seeds.

To kick off the service, New Westminster Public Library has partnered with FarmFolk CityFolk and Gardens4Kids to offer a celebratory Saedy Saturday event for all ages.

Taking place on February 11 from 10am to 2pm, it will feature a range of programs including a series of talks on gardening (e.g. how to build a container garden and how to support pollinators), a particularly seedy story hour and activities for Children. There will also be a gardener question booth, garden equipment exchange and introduction to the seed library.

Come rain or shine, there will be activities inside and outside the library (including a visit to food trucks). It’s free and everyone is invited to participate.

“Most importantly, we want to encourage people to exercise their curiosity about local gardening of all kinds and to connect with others who share those interests,” said MacRae.

Anyone who would like more information about the Seed Library or Seedy Saturday launch events can contact the library at 604-527-4660, email [email protected], or visit the website at www.nwpl Visit .ca/seeds.