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Illustration by Leonardo Cervantes<\/p>\n
Humans and plants have a coexisting relationship, with plants being cultivated for nutrition, medicine and many other uses. <\/p>\n
The Arlington Public Library fosters this relationship with a public seed library, a collection of free seed packets that residents can take for their own gardens. <\/p>\n
The packets are offered at four locations: the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, the Ron Wright Lake Arlington Branch, the Southwest Branch and the Woodland West Branch. <\/p>\n
According to Aaron Remotigue, community programming librarian, the seed library has gone through several renditions. <\/p>\n
It first opened in 2017 at the downtown library. Fewer people visited the seed library after COVID because they didn\u2019t know about it, Remotigue said.<\/p>\n
The seed library had a relaunch in 2025 under Remotigue due to his personal interest in plants and an Eagle Scout who needed a community project. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe inspiration was kind of just community, gardening and promoting that to people,\u201d Remotigue said. <\/p>\n
The library provides free gardening guides, like the Farmer\u2019s Almanac and the Texas A&M AgriLife Newcomers Guide, according to the library\u2019s home page. <\/p>\n
Another free resource is a sprinkler evaluation. Residents can get a detailed report with recommended changes to increase efficiency and reduce water waste. <\/p>\n
Monthly classes are also offered by Tarrant County Master Gardeners, through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. The events teach residents about using native plants in landscaping and taking care of a garden, Remotigue said. <\/p>\n
The library has received support from the community since the revamp, with around 4,000 seed packets distributed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had gardeners at my branches come in and get really excited about it and want to get involved,\u201d Remotigue said. <\/p>\n
Residents can donate to the seed library, as well. All they need to do is place the seeds into a labeled plastic bag and deliver them to the front desk of a library branch, Remotigue said. <\/p>\n
The library also hosts seed swaps, where residents can exchange seeds with other gardeners, Remotigue said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s helped to promote the library but also to really lean into that community aspect,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Remotigue said he wants to research and create information packets on the different seeds in the library. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to see what it will be like in five years,\u201d Remontigue said. \u201cIt\u2019s got a great start so far.\u201d <\/p>\n
@noah_logan_little<\/p>\n