THE Swan Hill Library is planting the seed for future green thumbs in the region with their new seed borrowing section.
Councillors Bill Moar and Ann Young were on hand as Swan Hill Rural City Council libraries manager Camille Cullinan opened the display of seasonal seeds with basil, broccoli, sugarloaf cabbage and leek among the offerings.
This free library will give the public the chance to access seeds and start growing different vegetables, fruits and herbs in their own gardens.
There has also been a donation of Cootamundra wattle seeds, and Ms Cullinan said she hoped others would also donate from their own garden to help the program along.
“We’re encouraging avid and novice gardeners alike, as well as kids who are wanting to learn,” Ms Cullinan said.
“And we’re hoping the program will become self-sustaining as we change with the seasons and also through the year with seed donations.
“People will be able to borrow three packs at a time, and they will be free for library members and you can become a member for free too.”
The project has been supported by Murray Valley Bearings & Hardware, Auto Parts and Accessories, Home Hardware and Swan Hill region’s Food for All program.
Swan Hill District Health dietitian Kristi Germaine from Food for All explained that the local group has received recent funding from the Foundation For Rural & Regional Renewal to facilitate six different webinars about sustainable gardening in Australia.
Webinars thus far have covered the themes of compost and worms, gardening in small spaces, active aging through gardening, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden and building healthy soil.
The final webinar will be up on Thursday December 16 at 10.30am and will focus on water smart gardening.
To arrange a booking, contact kgermaine@shdh.org.au or call 5033 9337.
Ms Germaine said the group was passionate about increasing food access in the region and with additional funding are looking to set up an emergency food relief hub at Neighbourhood House.
“There will be two refrigerated shipping containers for agency staff members to pick up supplies for their clients,” Ms Germaine said.
“That way people needing assistance don’t need to tell their story again to someone else, and they can just get that assistance.”
And for those who need a little guidance, there are an array of gardening books and flyers, including The Edible Garden starter kit from the Food for All team.
Given the fantastic conditions for fruit flies this year, it was fitting that Tricia Witney from the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area reminded the public to take care.
Locals are invited to become a fruit fly fighter with assistance from the group, and they can find out more at www.pestfreearea.com.au or by calling 03 5022 0327.
