Check out a new gardening adventure at seed libraries in Willmar, Olivia

OLIVIA — Libraries have long been places where the seeds of knowledge have been planted. Thanks to garden gurus and aficionados, both the Olivia and Willmar public libraries also offer community members actual seeds to plant in their gardens.

"I think people get excited about gardening," said Theresa Maher-Bock, administrative assistant for the University of Minnesota Extension office in Renville County. "Gardening is whatever you want."

The seed libraries at both Olivia and Willmar libraries are available for gardeners, no matter their skill level, to pick up a variety of seeds, free of charge. Both libraries have vegetables, herbs and flowers. New gardeners can try out their green thumbs for the first time, while more experienced horticulturalists can try their hand at a new variety or type of plant.

"This seed library isn't really meant to supply all of your food," said Kris Gatzemeyer, Willmar Public Library assistant who oversees the seed library there. "What it is meant to do is get your feet wet. You can try different things."

The Willmar Seed Library has been around for close to a decade, Gatzemeyer estimates, and the last few years have been some of the best.

"Use of the seed library has gone up quite a lot in the last few years," with more and more people wanting to try their hand at gardening and growing their own food, Gatzemeyer said. "It is the new version of Victory Gardening. People are interested in it, and I think it is great."

It was one of those new gardeners, who had started planting just as the pandemic changed everything, who first came up with the idea of a seed library in Olivia. It helps that the person happened to also be the head librarian for the Olivia Public Library.

"It made sense to get more people involved," said Jake Fejedelem.

To make the seed library a reality, Fejedelem turned to the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners in Renville County. The group worked for about two years to get the seed library up and running, including visiting other seed libraries in the state and procuring the seeds.

"He thought it would be something great for us to do," said Jan Howell, Renville County Master Gardener.

The Olivia Seed Library opened to the public at an open house event Feb. 20 at the Olivia Library. The turnout was more than the Master Gardeners had expected. Within a few weeks, 50 people had signed up for the seed library.

"It ex-seeded our expectations," Fejedelem said, who next hopes to start a seed garden at the Fairfax Public Library in southeast Renville County.

Both the Olivia and Willmar seed libraries work similarly. Those wanting to participate must fill out a sign-up sheet at the respective library and receive their member number.

In Olivia, each member household of three or fewer people can take five packets of seeds a week, while families of four or more can take 10.

At the Willmar Library, members are allowed five packets of seeds per week. Each library asks its members to record which seeds they take in a log book, so those who run the seed library can keep on top of what is popular and what needs to be refilled.

"We are really going through them," Maher-Bock said.

"I come by twice a week to restock," added Howell.

While the word library usually means someone borrows something and then returns it, neither seed library requires members to bring seeds in to replace what was used. In Olivia, the library is still just starting and hasn't quite figured out how it would handle people bringing seeds in.

"They don't need to bring their tomatoes in," Maher-Bock said of gardeners who used seeds from the library to grow their crops.

Willmar does accept seeds from the community, though it isn't all that common.

"I think it is an intimidating process for people to harvest their seeds," Gatzemeyer said, though she does try to hold at least one class on the process each year.

If growers do want to "check-in" some seeds, Gatzemeyer said they can be brought in an envelope with the type of seed, when and where it was harvested and how it is grown written on the front.

"We try to keep local seeds, because we want to make sure we are pushing things that are the right zone," Gatezmeyer said.

The types of seeds available at the libraries are as varied as any garden can be. Gatzemeyer said the Willmar Seed Library is a great place to try something new, as they can get some rather odd varieties. The Willmar Library has also offered native flowers and plant seeds, thanks to the Master Gardeners harvesting the seed pods from nature around the area.

"Our Master Gardeners are pretty passionate about native flowers, native grasses," Gatzemeyer said.

The Olivia Library has been able to provide a good mix of flower, herb and vegetable seeds for its first season. When it comes to choosing seeds, for beginners it's important to not be too ambitious.

"Start simple and small," said Renville County Master Gardener Lois Anderson. "Simple means easy-to-grow vegetables, and small means fewer plants."

Starting small will also mean it will be easier to keep on top of the required maintenance of any garden — to keep it healthy and producing.

"If the average gardener spends 15 minutes a day pulling weeds and keeping their gardens clean, they shouldn't be overrun," Anderson said.

Working in partnership with their respective Master Gardeners means the seed libraries are also able to offer gardeners something just as valuable as seeds to plant — information. The Master Gardeners have a lot of experience and knowledge to share. Kandiyohi has a group of 25 Master Gardners, while Renville County has 17.

Each county's Master Gardeners hold classes and programs on gardening and horticulture at the libraries. In March, the Renville County Master Gardeners held two beginner gardening classes in Olivia while the Kandiyohi County Master Gardeners held a program on container gardening, teaching tips and tricks on how to create a wonderful garden in the smallest areas.

"Anybody can grow things in whatever space you are given," Gatzemeyer said. "It doesn't have to be much, you just have to dedicate yourself."

The Willmar Seed Library also has a question box available for people to leave questions for a master gardener to respond to. And, monthly, a Master Gardener is available in person at the Willmar Public Library to talk about gardening topics.

"We're trying to make the seed library more vibrant by holding events, classes," Gatzemeyer said.

With successful seed libraries in both communities, the overall goal is to help community members of all ages learn to grow their own garden oasis, whether it is a flower garden or one full of vegetables and herbs.

"Ever since COVID, gardening has really kicked off," Howell said. "I think people are still into it now."