Seed library

New at Ghent University: the seed library!

Do you enjoy an experiment in your garden or on your balcony? Do you have some seeds left from the shop? Or did you collect your own?

Then you may like the seed library!

How does it work?

In the seed library, you can "borrow" seeds. No due dates and no fines. In exchange, we ask you to donate seeds at a later time, for example by harvesting the seeds of your own plants. That way, another gardener can use your seeds! You can borrow seeds at the Faculty library of Bio-Science Engineering.

Find out which seeds we have!

Borrow seeds

1. Come to the Faculty Library of Bio-Science Engineering.
2. Choose the seeds you want.
3. Have the seeds been sorted into portions already? Then feel free to take a ready-made bag!
   If the seeds are loose in the envelope;
   1. Copy the information about the seeds onto a form, which you stick to a new envelope.
   2. Put a few seeds in your envelope.
      Rule of thumb: 3-5 seeds per plant, or a pinch if the seeds are very small.
4. Let the gardening begin!
5. Return at a later date to donate seeds.

Donate seeds

1. Come to the Faculty Library of Bio-Science Engineering or the Faculty Library of Psychology and Educational Sciences.
2. Fill in the form with information on your seeds. The more info, the better.
3. Put your seeds in an envelope with the form.
4. The library will collect and sort everything so future gardeners can enjoy your seeds!

Which seeds are welcome?

We would like to collect organic seeds (free from pesticides and artificial fertilisers). We do not collect hybrid seeds, as the second generation seeds might not have the same properties. When you donate seeds, you fill in a form that tells future gardeners how to take care of them. You can donate seeds at the Faculty Library of Psychology and Educational Sciences (Campus Dunant) and the Faculty Library of Bio-Science Engineering (Campus Coupure).

Why a seed library?

A seed library is a way to honour and preserve the tradition of harvesting and sharing seeds, and to form a network of gardeners who want to exchange their knowledge. You can easily experiment with new plants and learn how to take care of different species in different circumstances. A skill that is definitely valuable in the face of climate change! On top of all of that, it is a way to preserve special and heritage seeds that aren't common in stores.

Taking care of plants also helps you take care of your head. Studies proved that gardening can improve mental health, sharpen your focus and heighten your concentration. And it brings small moments of rest in our busy lives.

Saplings

But wait... there is more! If you don't think you can coax a whole plant from a seed, the Faculty Library of Bio-Science Engineering is home to a sapling collection, under the watchful eye of VLK. You can swap a sapling from one of your plants for a new one. All saplings are potted and preferably accompanied by a label.