Jamie Wolgast at Hayden Public Library demonstrates how a Seed Library works.
Have you ever heard of a “Seed Library?” Well, just like a public library, it is a place where you can get free resources, in this case, seeds you can use to plant your own garden. And yes, they are free.
On April 11, 2025, Jamie Wolgast, Library Clerk with the Hayden Library, hosted a class titled “Cultivating Small Gardens Using the Seed Library.” During this class, Jamie went over a lot of valuable information about raised beds and container gardens, why some gardens do not thrive with our soil and water content, and when to plant and harvest different types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. She also held a section on local pollinators and why these critters are vital to how our gardens and other plant life flourish.
During this class, she also went over how to use their Seed Library. The Seed Library, located inside the Public Library, is an old card catalog box that they have converted into 3 categories: Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers; and each category has numerous types of seeds, sorted alphabetically that the public is welcome to take home and use.
Hayden’s Seed Library.
The seed garden had vegetables like different beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and even some fruit, such as cantaloupe. The herbs contained things like cilantro and parsley. The flowers were all local flowers that we see growing like golden poppies, but also some that grow in our area, but maybe not as rampant as others.
Each month, anyone may go in and “check out” 3 packets of seeds for their household. And each packet has way more seeds than any household may need. So, they ask that you take home the whole packet, use what you need, and return the leftover seeds and original packet back to the library for others to use. They also ask that you allow some of your plants to produce seeds, so you can donate those seeds back to the library as well. This reporter brought home some sugar peas, cantaloupe, and wildflower mix. I am sure with the valuable information I received; I will have plants growing in no time!
Do you need more information on how to cultivate a small garden? Go ask Jamie! Her vast knowledge and resources can get you growing in no time! She is more than happy to help anyone who is in need!
For more information on classes and events taking place at Hayden Public Library, stop in for a monthly calendar or contact them at (928) 200-2997.