Shawville’s seed library takes root
Cathy Fox
Published in the Pontiac Journal on March 12, 2025.
SHAWVILLE – Local gardening enthusiasts gathered for the first seed lending library event at the Shawville Library on Wednesday, March 5. Attendees, ranging in age from their early 20s to their 70s, shared a common interest in gardening for self-sufficiency, passing on knowledge, and sharing the harvest through seed saving.
The librarian hosting the event (who asked not to be named) welcomed participants into a private room and explained the purpose of the gathering: “The goal of the get-together is to meet like-minded garden lovers, exchange seeds from the library at planting time, and at the end of the growing season, save seeds from the plants and return a portion to the library.”
Participants were provided with homemade envelopes for recording details about heirloom seeds, courtesy of Northern Seeds of Farrelton. They also exchanged information about each other’s special seed varieties.
Conversation flowed easily as attendees shared healthy and creatively decorated hors d’oeuvres, provided by the Municipalities of Shawville and Clarendon, along with a volunteer. Plans were discussed for monthly garden tours throughout the summer, plant exchanges, and even a fairy garden project at Mill Dam Park, pending council approval.
Many attendees were experienced gardeners, though most admitted they had little experience with seed saving. Sara Paul from M&R Feeds offered helpful advice, encouraging participants to keep a close watch on plants they plan to harvest seeds from, as seeds can disperse quickly at harvest time.
The group plans to meet again on March 19, when guest speaker Valerie Bridgeman will describe the upcoming Seedy Saturday event at the TCRA in Ladysmith on Saturday, March 29, from 9 am to 4 pm. The gathering will also provide an opportunity for participants to share personal seed stashes, discuss plans, and address gardening challenges ahead of the new season.
For more information, call 819-647-3732 or email admshawville@crsbpo.qc.ca.
