Seed library blooms in Austin

(ABC 6 NEWS) – Spring will be here before we know it, and the Austin Public Library has one way for you to now explore gardening through its new Seed Library.

The seed library is a way for people to learn more about gardening, whether they’ve been doing it for years or are just starting out. And, the library is offering plenty of options from vegetables to flowers for all types of gardens.

The Mower County Horticultural Society donated the seeds and the University of Minnesota Extension Office in Mower County is helping with the Seed Library as well as the classes where you can learn to use your seeds to their full potential.

"How to garden, how to put out your plot, how to organize your plants, how to start your seeds, either because of our short growing season to start your seeds inside or start seeds within the ground," Master Gardeners Coordinator for the Mower County University of Minnesota Extension Office, Don Smith said.

There are also plenty of books and magazines available to help people learn more about gardening.

They hope this can help people learn something new as well as help if times are tough.

"This is a lifelong learning experience for people. Especially as we see food prices increasing. This is a way for people to extend those grocery bills and gardening doesn’t have to be expensive that’s what I love about it. Gardeners are creative they can be frugal they recycle and reuse and I love that part of the program," Austin Public Library Adult Service Librarian, Courtney Wyant-Schmitt said.

They packed over 600 packets of seeds for the library.

The library is currently in the early stages of expanding the children’s section of the library. They hope to finish by 2023 and possibly add garden beds to further their education with the Seed Library.