Just realized my local library has a seed swap box in the lobby

I was picking up a book in Portland last Thursday and saw a little wooden crate labeled 'free seeds' next to the community board. It was full of little envelopes people had made from folded paper, with stuff like basil, cherry tomatoes, and green beans written on them. I grabbed a pack of lettuce seeds, which is perfect because a head of lettuce is like $3 at the store now. It got me thinking about how growing even just one thing on a windowsill can cut down a grocery bill. Has anyone else tried starting a mini herb or veggie garden from free or swapped seeds?

3 comments

3 Comments

evanc6729d ago

Nice, @the_kai, now I'm picturing a fire escape totally taken over by marigolds.

the_kai29d ago

Honestly, I used to think those seed swap things were just for serious gardeners with yards. But last spring my neighbor gave me a tiny envelope of marigold seeds from her church swap, and I threw them in a pot on my fire escape. They went nuts, and I didn't buy flowers once. It made me see the point. It's not about a whole farm, it's just... having one less thing to get at the store. That lettuce is a perfect start.

cameroncarr14d ago

My grocery store in Seattle started a free herb cuttings station last year. It feels like people are quietly building these little local safety nets.