hands-on activities, informative displays, free samples, keynote speaker

Sun, 03/30/2025 - 2:42pm

Charlie Costello, of the Maine Heirloom Seed Group, tends to some of the 600+ heirloom tomato seedlings that will be given away to visitors at Seed Fest. (Photo courtesy Rockport Public Library)

ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library will host “Seed Fest” on Saturday, April 12. Seed enthusiasts and gardening buffs of all ages can browse tables throughout the library filled with hands-on activities, informative displays, and free samples from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Participating organizations include: Maine Heirloom Seed Group, Merryspring Nature Center, Roots n Shoots, Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers, and Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District.

At 1 p.m., Neil Lash, co-founder of the internationally recognized Heirloom Seed Project, will give a 30-minute slideshow/talk on heirloom seeds, followed by audience Q&A.

The entire event is free and open to the public. FMI: rockportlibrary.net. Details below.

TABLE STATIONS, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Potting Party: Charlie Costello, of the Maine Heirloom Seed Group, will demonstrate how to start tomato seeds and will have heirloom tomato plant seedlings for participants to pot and take home.

Seed Saving: John Fromer, from Merryspring Nature Center, will showcase techniques for saving seeds.

Wonderful Worms: Lynn Rutter, from Roots n Shoots, will have a worm bin set up, talk about vermicompost, and explain why worms matter.

Supporting Pollinators: Friends from Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers will explain why pollinators, like bees, are so important. They will also have a real beehive (no bees) for visitors to examine.

Understanding Your Soil: Friends from Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District will give out soil test kits and other information to help visitors better comprehend and work with the soil at their homes.

Eat Your Seeds: The Rockport Public Library will provide samples of roasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds for visitors to taste, as well as recipe cards for yummy snacks with seeds as the star ingredient.

FREE SEEDS: The Maine Heirloom Seed Group will provide a bountiful amount of free seeds for visitors to try in their gardens. Visitors are also encouraged to bring seeds to share with others. (The seed table will remain set up until 5 p.m.).

KEYNOTE SPEAKER, 1 p.m.: “If Only Seeds Could Tell Their Stories." Heirloom seed expert Neil Lash will give a slideshow presentation.