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A colorful selection of seed packets sitting in cardboard boxes.

The 2nd Annual Howard County Seed Share event is in the books! 

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Howard County Seed Share held at HCLS Miller Branch.

by Erica C.

The outdoor temperature of a chilling 25 degrees Fahrenheit did not stop us from gathering at the Miller Branch on Saturday afternoon to plan, learn, and discuss all things gardening. We distributed thousands of free seed packets collected from local gardeners around the county and seeds donated from companies like Baker Creek, Southern Exposure, and Seed Savers Exchange. The offerings included vegetables (from asparagus to zucchini), herbs, perennials (with a focus on native varieties), and annuals.  

Customers look at seed packets laid out on long tables during the seed swap.

There were demonstrations for participants to learn how to start flower and vegetable seeds in milk jugs or compost in their own backyards, and tables to learn more about local greening organizations. Over 300 attendees ranged from budding gardeners and novices to Master Gardeners who have been growing for over 20 years.

The book cover illustrates two cardboard containers of seeds, one decorated with a carrot and one decorated with a pumpkin, with seeds flying between them whimsically, as if the containers are "swapping" their seeds. Surrounding them are several flowers in shades of white, purple, and green, an orange ladybug resting on one of the flowers, and an orange and white butterfly on another flower.

Seed sharing and seed starting are excellent activities for gardeners to work on during the cold winter months in Maryland. When snow is still on the ground and temperatures are icy, germinating seeds under a grow light is a fun, rewarding activity for adults and children alike. If you are interested in these topics, HCLS has a wide array of resources in our collection for you to choose from:

An assortment of gardening books are displayed on a table in the Miller Branch meeting rooms for checkout during the seed swap. The snow covering the ground outside is visible through a meeting room window.

The New Seed-Starters Handbook by Nancy Bubel with Jean Nick

The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving by Micaela Colley and Jared Zystro

The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, Trees, and Shrubs by Robert E. Gough (also available as an e-book from Libby/OverDrive)

Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers by Leslie F. Halleck

The Manual of Seed Saving: Harvesting, Storing, and Sowing Techniques for Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruits by Andrea Heistinger

Seedswap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds by Josie Jeffrey

Grow Food for Free by Huw Richards

Starting and Saving Seeds: Grow the Perfect Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs and Flowers for Your Garden by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener by Jim Ulager

Thank you to the many partners, volunteers, and participants who made this event a huge success. We can’t wait to see you next year.

Erica C. is in her dream role as the Enchanted Garden Instructor at the Miller Library. When she’s not tending to the garden, you can find her cycling along the C & O Canal, experimenting with new recipes from around the world, or curled up with her coffee and a good read.

A bee gathers pollen from the center of a yellow daisy.

What’s Happening in the Enchanted Garden?

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Sunflowers against a bright blue sky, with one of two blossoms beginning its end of season fade. A bright yellow goldfinch sits on the stalk.

By Ann H.

While the Enchanted Garden is temporarily closed to visitors and volunteers, it still manages to be a busy place for nature. Last year, the Enchanted Garden became a certified Wildlife Habitat thanks to the work of the Tween Sprouts (an HCLS youth garden club) and a loyal group of student and Master Gardener volunteers. This year it seems chipmunks, bunnies, butterflies, bees, birds, maybe a fox, plus more unseen critters are enjoying the efforts of our two-legged helpers. Let’s take a peek inside.

Birds helped spread sunflower seeds planted by youth gardeners in spring 2019. Come late this summer goldfinches, bees, and butterflies are feasting on their nectar and seeds!

Close up photo shows bright green mint plants that have begun to flower.

Mint must thrive on neglect! Many common herbs like basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and lemon balm are members of the hardy mint family. These herbs and more common mints like chocolate and spearmint are providing nectar for our hungry pollinators. Let your mint reach the flowering stage and pollinators will come.

Common milkweed left unchecked has claimed the back corner of the garden. Since it is the host plant of the monarch butterfly and mega food for a variety of pollinators, I’m enjoying its presence and hoping to see monarch caterpillars devouring the leaves any day.

Monarch butterfly rests on flowers of a summersweet plant.

Monarchs have not been plentiful in the Enchanted Garden so far this summer, but a few make a regular appearance. Thank goodness we have enough native perennials like this Summersweet, to help feed them on their journey.

Though the chore list to restore our Enchanted Garden is a tad long, these sights inspire me to persevere. I am grateful for the work of many in past years and truly look forward to the day we can open the gates to all our garden friends, volunteers, and visitors.

Ann is the Enchanted Garden Coordinator and Research Specialist at the Miller Branch. After nearly ten years with HCLS, she still thinks her position is a dream come true.