There’s one thing magical about planting a seed and watching it develop. In our yard vegetable backyard, which we’ve got lovingly tended since 2015, we’re not simply rising meals; we’re nurturing curiosity, duty, and a deep connection to the world round us.
Since 2021, we’ve got additionally been using the Hamilton East Public Library’s Seed Library program to discover new vegetable, herb, and flower varieties.

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We encourage our younger women to be courageous – courageous sufficient to choose seeds they’re interested by and find out how these crops develop – whether or not underground, in valleys, or on bushes. That small little yard vegetable mattress retains them busy and engaged, and serves as their outside classroom all summer time lengthy, serving to them keep linked. From sprouting to sharing and storytelling, they expertise firsthand the enjoyment of tending to their very own little backyard beds, taking possession of watering, observing, and caring for his or her crops. By way of this course of, they’re studying persistence, accountability, and the significance of nurturing life.
Essentially the most rewarding half? HARVESTing to sharing their harvest with our neighbors and introducing their new favourite greens, and even making new wiggly buddies, then including what they’ve grown to our meals, the place they’ll proudly style the fruits of their labor. It’s a hands-on STEM studying expertise that goes past the classroom, educating them the natural cycle of life – from seeding to blooming to savoring contemporary, homegrown produce.
We’re extremely grateful for the Hamilton East Public Library’s Seed Library program, which has made this journey much more enriching. Every year, the Seed Library affords all library patrons the chance to pick as much as 15 seed packets per rising season. It’s an exquisite initiative that encourages sustainable gardening and fosters a love for rising meals inside the group. This system additionally welcomes seed donations and group collaborations, making it a unbelievable useful resource for group partnerships centered on environmental studying and sustainability.

Our columnist encourages you to take a look at the Seed Library on the Hamilton East Public Library. Study extra at hamiltoneastpl.org/seed-library. (Picture supplied)
When you’re seeking to begin your individual gardening journey or wish to contain your youngsters in a significant, hands-on expertise, you should definitely take a look at the HEPL occasion calendar for upcoming gardening workshops. You may as well go to the Seed Library web page at hamiltoneastpl.org/seed-library for extra particulars. Let’s have a good time the enjoyment of rising collectively!
Be part of the dialog and share your gardening adventures with the group by tagging @HamiltonEastPL on Fb, Instagram, and Twitter. Don’t neglect to make use of the hashtags #HEPLSeedLibrary and #HEPLGrowers to showcase your progress and encourage others to dig into the enjoyment of gardening and make the most of their seed library sources.
By planting seeds at this time, we’re sowing the long run – one sprout, one harvest, and one shared meal at a time.
Pooja Thakkar is working to construct connections by way of delicacies. You’ll be able to learn her column every Saturday within the pages of The Reporter.