New Seed Library Inspires Summer Fun
What happens when a love for gardening meets a love for reading? The new Seed Library at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. It’s as if someone read my mind! If you’re looking for a fun project to get the kids into nature, check it out.
The new seed library allows you to go to the library and pick up seeds for FREE! I’ve picked up a few at the main library, and my oldest son grabbed a few at the Jones Creek Library. Happy mom side note: he rode his bike to the library with a friend and spotted the little seed library. He thought of me and picked up a few okra and flower seeds. You know those moments when your teen thinks of you and does something nice? Yeah, I was beside myself as if he’d brought me a diamond!
Anyway, I’ve planted my little seeds, and the okra is well on its way! The little seed library would make a great summer project for families.
Here are some ideas to help your family grow, too.
- Pick out the seeds together. Remember Louisiana’s HOT summer when selecting what you’ll grow. If choosing vegetable seeds, keep in mind what you think they’ll actually eat. In fact, grab flowers if you have picky eaters.
- Discuss what a plant needs to thrive and prepare a space for your future buds. My youngest son used to love digging in the dirt and transplanting plants. Oh, the glory days before video games and scooters! (Sigh.)
- Once the plant does sprout, track the progress and discuss the phases of development. Together, pull weeds and water the sprouts on those hot, dry days.
- If you’re growing vegetables and they start to bloom, pollinator discussions are always a hit. Even now, we still get excited to see a bee buzzing around our plants.
- Enjoy the harvest together! Maybe if they’ve helped grow the plant, they’ll help cook and eat the veggies!
While you’re at the library, you may also want to check out a book on gardening and read it to your little one. In a neat twist, this year’s Summer Reading Program theme is Plant a Seed, Read. Maybe that’s your sign to get out there and read and plant! Who knows? The seed library could spark an interest in gardening, healthy eating or just an appreciation for nature that inspires fun summer adventures.
