Popularity of seed libraries growing in Cambridge

By Joe McGinty

With spring right around the corner, seed libraries are sprouting up all over Cambridge and will soon be featured in every Idea Exchange in the city.

Starting at the Preston Idea Exchange back in 2017, the seed library has become a valuable resource for gardening aficionados and budding newcomers alike.  From potatoes, spinach and leeks to bee pollinators and wildflowers the seed library offers a wide variety of seeds free of charge to anyone in the community.

“It kind of encourages people to get out in nature and to also grow some kind of sustainable foods that you can eat for yourself or donate it to the Cambridge Food Bank,” said Gayle Hoover, manager of the Preston Idea Exchange. 

No library card or membership is needed to get the seeds, you could just walk in and grab some, added Hoover. 

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Seeing a huge increase of home gardeners during the pandemic, the Preston seed library has positioned itself to have one of the largest selections of seeds in the city, with most geared towards nutritious sustainable foods. 

“There is such a need in our community for fresh food, whether it be the increase in produce at the store or the rising costs of inflation, growing your own food becomes a good alternative to breaking the bank,” said Hoover. 

The Idea Exchange is looking at implementing and growing their seeds libraries all over the city.

Having many partners such as the Cambridge Food Bank, rare Charitable Research Reserve and Seeds of Diversity, Hoover is excited to launch Seedy Saturday on March 2. This event will offer a special free seed to the public that is not yet offered in the library. 

“We can't say what it is yet, but it is going to be nutritious and follow the theme of sustainability,” said James Bow, communications for rare.

Seedy Saturday will take place at the rare Charitable Research Reserve at 1679 Blair Rd. 

The mystery plant will be easy to grow and doesn't need a lot of space, “It could be done in a pot,” added Hoover. 

The Idea Exchange also offers gardening tools to help get a home garden started, although a membership is needed. 

“I always get the chills when someone comes in and learns about the seed library and is genuinely excited looking at all the seeds,” said Hoover. “This is something you can do with your family, grow food to eat and donate all the leftovers, it's a win, win.” 

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