The Fall 2022 Leon County Seed Library Kicks Off August 13

 

To kick off the Fall 2022 Season of the Leon County Seed Library Program, UF/IFAS Extension Leon County will be at the LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Library (200 W. Park Ave.) Program Room on Saturday, August 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with information on raised bed gardening, a hands-on seeding activity, an Ask-a-Master-Gardener booth, and a healthy cooking demonstration.

Although we are still in the full swing of summer, gardeners know it is time to start thinking about planning the fall garden. Although pulling weeds and adding fresh compost can wait a little while, gathering seeds for the new season can be something to think about doing now.

If you live in or around Tallahassee, the Leon County Seed Library Program can help jump-start your fall garden. Starting August 13, you can go to any of the seven Leon County libraries to check-out three sample vegetable seed packets per month per library card! The Leon County Master Gardener Volunteers are currently busy labeling and packing each of the seed varieties that will be distributed to the seven libraries.

There will be 10 vegetables varieties this season, including a few varieties that have never been featured in the program. If you like to save seeds from your garden, know that all varieties in the Seed Library Program are open-pollinated (by insects, birds, wind), which means if they are not crossed with another variety, the seeds they produce will grow true to form.

The Fall 2022 selection includes:

• Common Arugula: Deep green with a spicy, peppery, mustard-like flavor
• Cylindra Beets: Heirloom with long cylindrical roots, good for slicing
• De Cicco Broccoli: Central light green head and side shoots to extend season
• Scarlet Nantes Carrots: Sweet, crisp, bright red-orange, seven-inch roots
• Vates Collards: Slow bolting, large blue-green leaves
• Lacinato (Dinosaur) Kale: Cold tolerant, sweet dark green narrow leaves
• New Red Fire Lettuce: Crisp and flavorful, green base with red ruffled leaf edges, bolt resistant
• Peione Parsley: Large flat leaves with sweet flavor
• French Breakfast Radishes: Mild, spicy flavor with a red top and white bottom
• Bright Lights Swiss Chard: Rainbow stems, burgundy and green leaves, very mild

 

See you at the Leon County Main Library on August 13!