Learn from Experts in Six-month Gardening Series at The Library
April is the start of a six-month series devoted to gardening – from preparing your soil, to adding native plants, to planting heirloom seeds.
This is the schedule of April events and several coming up in May. Be sure to watch thelibrary.org/programs, or pick up the summer issue of Bookends for a full list of programs running through September.
Many of the programs are funded by generous grants from the Tangled Bank Studios/PBS Nature #PlantWildflowers initiative, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
Don’t Forget to Get Your Seeds at the Heirloom Seed Library
Borrow, grow, and share with seeds from the Heirloom Seed Library. Choose from a variety of vegetable, herb and flower and native heirloom seeds to borrow with your Springfield-Greene County Library card. Plant them at home or in your community garden, enjoy the harvest, save the seeds if you can and return them to the seed library to share with others. Visit the seed libraries at the Library Station, Midtown Carnegie Branch Library and Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library.
Foods for Growth
Saturday, April 16 1-3 p.m. in the Midtown Carnegie Branch upstairs meeting room. Learn how the food we eat relates to plants and the benefits of having a garden. We’ll also talk about choosing a garden spot, soil testing and hardiness zones. Presented by Sherri Hull, nutrition educator with the Greene County MU Extension Office. Fresh produce samples at these programs provided by Springfield Community Gardens.
Registration starts April 2. Registration required; call 417-862-0135.
Heirloom Seed Garden Planting Party
Saturday, April 23, noon-3 p.m. for families with children of all ages at the Heirloom Seed Garden, 1471 N. Benton Ave. Join the Heirloom Seed Library and Springfield Community Gardens for a seed planting party in honor of Earth Day! Activities include storytime, crafts and garden fun. This event will move to the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library in the event of inclement weather.
Native Plants as Part of a Healthy Yard
Tuesday, May 3, 6 p.m. for adults in the Library Station Frisco Room. Caleb Sanders, director of the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks Conservation Corps, will share his experience converting his lawn to native plants. Clarissa Hatley, education outreach specialist with the City of Springfield's Yard Ethic program, will talk about this community-wide effort for yard care that supports people, plants and wildlife, and the services it provides.
Preparing to Plant
Saturday, May 14, 1-3 p.m. in the Midtown Carnegie Branch upstairs meeting room. Seeds provide nutrients for both plants and people. Examine different kinds of seeds and learn about the benefits of the parts of plants we do eat – our fruits and vegetables! Presented by Sherri Hull, nutrition educator with the Greene County MU Extension Office. Fresh produce samples at these programs provided by Springfield Community Gardens. Registration starts April 30, call 417-862-0135.
Plant Swap
Saturday, May 21, 2 p.m. for adults in the Midtown Carnegie Branch upstairs meeting room. Grow your jungle! Bring one or more of your own houseplants, succulents, cactus plants, cuttings or garden seedlings to swap with your neighbors. Bring small containers or jars to carry your new plant pups home.
Find this article at