Just like a regular Library, we provide free seeds and plants that people can "check out" to grow themselves in their own gardens. We ask people to "check their seeds in" once their flowers have bloomed so we can pass them on to others
We only share native plant species from Ontario and Québec. Native species are defined as "indigenous terrestrial and aquatic species that have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat. Species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement. They represent a number of different life forms, including conifer trees, hardwood trees and shrubs, grasses, forbs, and others(1)".
Native plants have closely evolved over thousands of years with our butterflies, bees, and insects. Some are even dependent on a specific native plant to eat, live, breed and survive. Foreign and human-modified plants have been introduced faster than they can adapt. Our ecosystems have also been threatened and harmed by non-native invasive species.
Gardening with native plants is about restoring our relationship with our local plants, bees, butterflies and insects and making gardening choices that go beyond plants' aesthetics to help heal our natural environment.
Our collective work results in beautiful gardens, as well as supporting the creation of community spaces that provide habitat corridors for the creatures we share our world with.
