Bathurst gardeners dig into seed library

In Bathurst, all you need is a library card to borrow seeds, grow your own vegetables and get help with the harvest.

South Tetagouche farmer Anna Slater of SteadySpade Farm founded a seed library at the Bathurst Public Library to give would–be gardeners access to seeds and support.

"It's important for people to have access to seeds to grow foods for themselves," Slater said.

"I have some varieties that have been saved by grandmothers and [their] grandmothers."

The seeds include beans, tomatoes, turnips, squash, zucchini, and peas. The library carries different varieties of each.

I have some varieties that have been saved by grandmothers and [their] grandmothers.- Anna Slater, founder of the Bathurst seed library

Most are plants that have been harvested for many years in the Bathurst region.

"The plant has grown accustomed to the climate so it will do really well here," said Slater.

Library card as meal ticket

The library carries 100 packages of seeds and is accepting donations.

Would–be gardeners just have to visit the front desk, fill out a form and pick up their packets of seeds. After the seeds are planted and harvested, gardeners are expected to save the seeds and replenish the cache.

"Some things you can save that year, some you'll wait another year," said Slater.

"Beans are really easy, peas are easy, tomatoes and squash are a little harder."

Slater will host several workshops throughout the year to help seed savers with their plants and harvest.

The official launch of the seed library is on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Bathurst Public Library.