The Alhambra Library's Let's Grow Alhambra program provides the community with a Seed Library and various programs and workshops that focus on environmental sustainability, urban gardening, conservation techniques, and how to embrace habits for a healthier and more resilient future.
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 21: Composting Workshop
November 4: Gardening Workshop
December 14: Seed Library Launch
January 17, 2024: Beeswax Candle Making
January 20, 2024: Club Mudd Workshop for Families
February 2024: Demonstration Garden Launch
SEED LIBRARY (Launching in December, 2023)
The Alhambra Library Seed Library offers free fruit, herb, vegetable, and California native flower seeds to Alhambra residents. Visit the Seed Library on the First Floor to choose some seeds to plant in your garden or containers. Limit of two packets per seed type (Flower, Fruit, Herb, Vegetable) per visit. We ask that you only take what you'll use so that there are enough seeds for everyone. Our mission, seed types, and growing tips are below.
MISSION
Through the seed library, we hope to:
- Spark interest in learning how to garden and grow food.
- Foster an appreciation and enjoyment of nature, from soil organisms, to plants, to bees, and birds.
- Encourage food self-sufficiency, both personally (growing your own food) as well as in community (harvesting and giving back organically-grown seeds to the community to further a sustainable cycle).
- Help preserve biodiversity, and increase populations of native pollinators (birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and insects) by planting native flowering plants that provide nectar and pollen, and refuge.
- Increase equity in our community—access to free seeds increases food security and food justice.
- Improve health—growing food in healthy soil can provide more nutrient-rich food than commercial farming.
- Respond to climate change—there’s nothing more local than harvesting from your own yard or balcony.
- Provide education on growing food, healthy soil, saving seeds, and related topics.
- Foster a sense of community among Alhambra’s “urban farmers”.
SEED TYPES
| Flower: | Fruit: | Herb: | Vegetable: |
| Blue Sage | Cucumber | Arugula | Broccoli (Imperial) |
| Clarkia (Farewell to Spring) | Pepper (Jalapeño) | Basil | Brussels Sprouts |
| Cornflower | Tomato (Beefsteak) | Chamomile (German) | Cabbage (Chinese) |
| Cosmos (Sea Shells) | Tomato (Cherry) | Cilantro | Cabbage (Red) |
| Daisy (Gloriosa) | Tomato (Roma) | Dill | Carrot (Chanteney) |
| Evening Primrose | Watermelon (Sugar Baby) | Parsley (Italian) | Carrot (Purple) |
| Gaillardia | Peppermint | Cauliflower | |
| Globe Gilia | Rosemary | Chives (Garlic) | |
| Lavender | Thyme | Corn (Sweet) | |
| Marigold (African) | Eggplant (Asian) | ||
| Poppy (California Orange) | Kale | ||
| Rose Mallow | Kale (Black Magic) | ||
| Salvia (Summer Jewel) | Lettuce (Romaine) | ||
| Sunflower (Mammoth Grey) | Mexican Sour Gherkin | ||
| Wildflowers | Mustard (Tatsoi) | ||
| Okra | |||
| Onion (Tokyo Long White) | |||
| Onion (Yellow) | |||
| Pak Choi Bopak | |||
| Pea (Snow) | |||
| Pea (Sugar Snap) | |||
| Pepper (Anaheim Chile) | |||
| Pepper (Ancho Poblano) | |||
| Popcorn | |||
| Radish (Daikon) | |||
| Spinach | |||
| Squash (Butternut) | |||
| Squash (Pink Banana) | |||
| Swiss Chard (Rainbow) | |||
| Tomatillo (Pineapple) |
GROWING TIPS
Basic growing tips and other gardening and composting information are provided below. For further information, the seed packets will include individualized instructions for each seed type.
- A Year of Growing Vegetables
- Composting Basics (CHINESE, SPANISH)
- How to Start Your Garden from a Seed
- Smart Gardening Guide
- Soil and Water Management for Vegetable Gardens (SPANISH)
- Vegetable Garden Basics
Visit the Master Gardeners of LA County website for information sessions, gardening tips, gardening classes, and much more.
For particular questions about your plants, pests, or other garden advice, you can call or email Master Gardeners.
MORE READING
101 Organic Gardening Hacks by Shawna Coronado
The Bee-Friendly Garden by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn
The Downsized Veggie Garden by Kate Copsey
Garden Alchemy by Stephanie Rose
Hydroponics for Beginners by Jeree Harms
Llewellyn's 2023 Herbal Almanac edited by Lauryn Heineman
This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
