By Tyler Wright
Belgrave Library — already home to indigenous plants and vegetables —has added an outdoor plant garden, extending the existing seed library which has been running inside the library for a few years.
The new ‘Plant Library’ will be officially open to the public on Wednesday 12 October at a seed, produce and plant swap in the re-invigorated library courtyard.
Belgrave Library customer service officer and host of monthly Belgrave botanical gardening events, Jasmine Molders, said attendees can bring along anything that grows well in their gardens and is acclimatised to conditions in the Hills.
“It might be something that’s a little bit different, that you don’t normally see at the nursery,” Jasmine said.
“It could be an edible or it could be an ornamental, it doesn’t really matter; It’s all just about getting growing.”
Locals can bring along potted up cuttings, packets of seeds or seedlings they have propagated, and have the opportunity to share growing tips, common struggles and success stories with other gardeners in the area.
“It’s definitely about generating conversations around gardening, but that’s just a launching point. It’s also about social connection. It’s about the conversations and the connections with people that emerge from having a common interest,” Jasmine said.
Jasmine said while there is always an interest in gardens in the Hills, being kept inside due to Covid has sparked an interest in learning and deepening skills around propagating and growing seedlings in their own gardens.
Mint and tomatoes also seem to be a popular choice in the Hills.
“If you’re talking about growing veggies, then it’s really time to get the warm season veggies in at the moment like the tomatoes; we’re selling some beans,” Jasmine said.
“I’d say things like zucchini, cucumbers [and] eggplant.”
Visitors can walk straight into Belgrave Library from 11am to 12pm to attend the launch of the new plant library, with no bookings required.
There are plans to have guest speakers visit Belgrave Library in the future, to talk about specific topics relating to gardening and plants.
Donations are welcome, and people can visit Belgrave Library during its opening hours of 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 9am to 8pm on Thursdays, and 10am to 1pm on Saturday.
Belgrave Library is closed on Sunday.
