Seed and plant swap Saturday at HDL North

Seeds and plants are one of those things that can bring together a community.
As part of its annual seed library initiative, Herrick District Library will have a plant and seed swap 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at its North Branch, 155 Riley St.

Participants do not have to donate seeds or plants to participate, but donations will earn them extra selections. There will also be crafts for younger gardeners. Patrons are encouraged to drop off seeds and plants on Friday, April 19, to give library staff time to set up, but are welcome to bring them on the day-of.

There is no cost for the drop-in event.

HDL staff passionate about gardening started the seed library in 2017.

“It fits libraries in so many ways,” says HDL North Branch Manager Rob Carpenter, who oversees the seed library. “It’s all about community. It’s about bringing people together over a shared love of information and knowledge. It’s about connecting people.”

Herrick District Library will host a free plant and seed swap 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
The seed library is intended to be self sustaining. This year’s seed library has fewer donations, and so fewer seeds. Patrons can donate seeds any time. For more information, visit herrickdl.org/seedlibrary.

“We don’t want to be in the seed buying business,” Carpenter says. “We’re in the community building business.”

The HDL Seed Library has been home to seeds from plants that have been growing in Holland for 150 years and seeds that are brand new and created — sometimes accidentally — by patrons.

“The more you get involved in the seed library, the more you learn about the history of this community about the people who live here,” Carpenter says.