“Organic – fair – regional” is not only the motto of the municipality of Neubiberg, but is also becoming a fixed principle for more and more people when shopping. An environmentally conscious lifestyle also includes combating waste and promoting biodiversity. For this purpose, the Neubiberg community library has a new offer from Ash Wednesday: the “seed library”, which is intended to promote the exchange of seeds for vegetables, herbs and flowers.
Such a library of things is still relatively new in the district. And so the soon-to-be library manager Christina Klasna, the library supervisor Sandra Wolf, the head of the cultural department Andrea Braun and last but not least Mayor Thomas Pardeller (CSU) are expectant and laughing at the press conference next to the newly built shelf in the entrance area of the library. They radiate curiosity, which also sets in on the visitor when he leafs through the many hand-written paper bags with plant names in the wooden boxes on the shelves, the contents of which rustle so promisingly.
How many seeds might be in there, one inevitably wonders. “It doesn’t matter that much, it’s more important that you apply it correctly,” says Braun. When you should do that is written on the bag. And that’s soon, because many plants, such as sugar snap peas or Inca cucumbers, should already be sown in March, while cut parsley and the “Ambrosia” sugar pea, an old variety, should be sown in April. The broad bean Vectra is in a hurry and actually wants to be planted by the end of February. It doesn’t have to be in the garden, a flower box on the balcony or a pot on the windowsill also promises a good yield.
For children there are seeds with a guarantee of success, such as sunflower, cress and chives, or the mixture of bee pasture, which the Bund Naturschutz has donated to enable fun with home-grown fruit and flowers. But it takes a bit of patience to be successful. Once you have selected a bag, taken it home free of charge and sown it, you have to wait until the seedlings have grown. Then you can enjoy the flowers or harvest vegetables and fruits. If you dry some of the seeds and bring them back to the library, others can take them with them and the exchange starts. Incidentally, a library card is not required, the library is open to everyone as a meeting place and place for community.
The offer is already available in Aying and maybe soon in Gräfelfing
The idea of the “seed library” comes from the USA, where there are many genetically modified seeds and environmental organizations are trying to use “seed libraries” to preserve the diversity of old varieties. In Neubiberg, too, traditional varieties are to be preserved and biodiversity promoted. The community library also picks up on a trend in society, because books on ecology, gardens and sustainability are in great demand, as Wolf explains. She received the free seeds from local actors such as the environmental garden association, an environmental educator or the Seebauer garden center, who are also on hand with advice and action should the newly purchased gardening books and Sandra Wolf not be able to help. There are many gardening events and workshops well into the summer.
The Aying community library will start its seed library on Tuesday and will be offering seed packets to swap and try out. In Gräfelfing, the library management is considering setting up a seed library after the conversion in August or September.
The Neubiberg community library in the house for further education, Rathausplatz 8, is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. (exception: Wednesday afternoons only until 4 p.m.), Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.