Idea Exchange seeking donations to grow seed library

Just like borrowing a book, you can take some seeds, and leave some seeds in return.

The Preston branch of the Idea Exchange is home to a free seed library where anyone can browse and choose from a variety of seeds. They can “take some, plant some, and then save some seeds to give back.”

To help fill the seed lending library cabinet, the Idea Exchange is looking for donations of seeds.

“The seed library relies on donations to keep sharing. Saved seeds or purchased seeds, even opened packages, are gratefully accepted,” said Beth Lanigan, staff member at the Preston Branch of the Idea Exchange.

“If you have donations to share, please drop them off at any Idea Exchange location.”

The seed library officially opened in 2017 and since then, Lanigan said that it has exploded in popularity over the last few years, especially during the pandemic.

While isolated, many people turned to gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic to relieve stress with a new hobby, connect with their families, and to grow their own food.  

“Gardening really has become popular, and we are trying our best to keep up with the demand. I think people have really caught on and have decided it is really something they want to keep doing,” Lanigan said.

Since the beginning, Lanigan has been involved with the development of the seed library in Preston.

“The first few years, we gave out about 1,000 and then it grew to 5,000 over the last few years. This year, we have given out over 12,000 packages of seeds already this year, and the year isn’t even over,” Lanigan said.

The seed lending library has grown into a self-sustaining project that not only invites people to take what they need, but to then save seeds from what they've grown, and donate back for others to take.

The Idea Exchange is also offering seeds at all other Idea Exchange branches in Cambridge.

“We have a lovely seed cabinet that lives at the Preston Branch, but during the pandemic, we also started having seeds available at all our other branches. So, that has increased the usage as well,” Lanigan said.

People can pick up seeds of different varieties at any time especially at the Preston Branch where the seed cabinet is open all year.

“Our selection does change all the time. We have different varieties of herbs, vegetable and flowers that come in, so we always encourage people to come out regularly so they can see what is available and in stock,” Lanigan said.

“And because Cambridge is a Bee City, and the Idea Exchange is one of the founding participating organizations, we are committed to having pollinator friendly flowers in our seed cabinet as well.”

Last summer, Bee City Canada designated Cambridge as a Bee City and part of Canada's first Bee Region. Bee City Canada’s mission is to inspire cities, towns, First Nations, schools, businesses and other organizations to take action to protect pollinators.

The designation acknowledges Cambridge for setting an example that inspires residents with the knowledge that they all have a role to play in protecting pollinators.

“People can drop seeds off at any location. If they bring seeds in a bag, the more information they include on the label, the better so that we know what type of seeds they are. People can include the name and variety of the herb, vegetable or flower seeds that they are donating, and we will accept them, and then share them,” Lanigan said.

Staff at the Idea Exchange will then empty the seeds into smaller individual envelopes to be dispersed to the public. 

“We just want people to know that libraries are more than just about books and movies, which are great, but we have so many other things to offer the community too,” Lanigan said.

“We are all in this together. We love to be able to get these seeds out for free and into the community.”

For more information about the seed library at the Idea Exchange, visit here.