Seed libraries are sprouting up around the borough to encourage residents to grow vegetables at home.
Every seed library holds a wide variety of vegetable seeds such as stringless runner beans and mixed baby lettuce, which can be taken by residents for free.
The project hopes to encourage residents to grow and eat their own produce and, in turn, save seeds from mature plants to replenish the libraries ensuring the project’s sustainability for years to come.
Seed libraries already set up can be found at: Able; Blaenavon Library; Blenheim Road Community Primary School; Cold Barn Farm; CoStar Community Hwb, Fairwater Shops; Cwmffrwdoer Primary School; Cwmbran Library; Forgeside RFC Community Gardens; Garnsychan Partnership; Llantarnam Grange Café; Pontypool Library; The Canddo Project; Torfaen Gypsy and Traveller Education service. Four more seed libraries will be opening at Garnteg Primary, Ponthir Village Hall, Cwmbran High School, and Coed Eva Primary.
Councillor Sue Morgan, Executive Member for Waste and Sustainability, said: “These seed libraries are a fantastic example of how small, community-led initiatives can have a big impact.
“They not only promote sustainable food practices and healthier lifestyles but also bring people together through a shared love of growing.
“As it’s World Environment Day, it’s also important to recognise the environmental benefits of growing your own food, which not only eliminates the carbon emissions produced by transporting food, it increases local biodiversity.”
To mark the launch, a community planting session was held at Pontypool Market in March. Further seed-saving workshops are scheduled for later in the year to teach residents how to collect and store seeds effectively.
Participants at Able life skills centre, Cwmbran, manage their local seed library but also run an accessible tool library, equipped with long-handled and easy-grip gardening tools. These dual services are also in place at Canddo at Panteg House, making gardening more inclusive for all.
The seed libraries have been set up by the Torfaen Food Partnership which is supported by the Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government.