New hydroponic garden at Teeswater library branch

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Visitors of the Teeswater public library can soon help themselves to some leafy greens and herbs while at the branch.

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On July 21, the Bruce County Public Library announced the addition of a hydroponic unit, donated by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), which will be permanently located at the Teeswater branch.

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“We are immensely grateful to NWMO for their ongoing support and donation of the hydroponics unit,” Brooke McLean, library director, was quoted in a media release. “This addition to our seed library program aligns perfectly with the program’s goal to provide educational resources and empower Bruce County residents to embrace food sustainability. We look forward to seeing its positive impact on our patrons.”

The hydroponic unit is an indoor garden with a built-in watering system and LED lights. Watering and lights are on a timer system that ensures plants have everything they need to produce an array of healthy herbs and vegetables indoors with little supervision. 

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Launched by the Bruce County Public Library earlier this year, area seed libraries have seen more than 600 packages picked up by members of the community, according to the release.

Seed libraries are located at library branches in Chesley, Kincardine, Lucknow, Southampton, Teeswater, Tobermory, Walkerton, and Wiarton and are free to use with your library card, which is available at no charge. 

To obtain a library card, visit your local branch to register or sign up online at getacard.brucecounty.on.ca. Donating back to the seed library is not a requirement, but there are labelled envelopes for patrons to return harvested seeds. 

The library also carries a large selection of books and other resources to help get you started in gardening, as well as in-person and online events to help patrons learn about planting and harvesting seeds.

Visit library.brucecounty.on.ca to find event dates and links to resources like the public library’s YouTube page, which contains many educational videos.