Get free tips for garden success at Grow Orangevale

Ever checked out seeds from a seed library? They’re free, and at the Sacramento libraries that offer them, they don’t even require a library card.

But then — what to do with these little treasures? How does the gardener achieve success when growing edible and ornamental plants?

Those questions are the focus of Grow Orangevale, a free event 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 22. It is hosted, not surprisingly, by the Orangevale branch of the Sacramento Public Library, which is one of 17 libraries in Sacramento County with seed libraries.

“We hold this program every year to help promote our Heirloom Seed Library,” says Bruce Barber, branch supervisor of the Orangevale Library. The goal is to “provide our community with as much information as possible to produce a successful garden.” 

Most of the event Saturday will be Q&A sessions with local gardening experts. Sacramento Digs Gardening’s Debbie Arrington will appear at 11 a.m. to talk about avoiding common gardening pitfalls.

Also on the agenda: A representative from the Xerces Society will talk about pollinators for the garden, and a member of the Orangevale Garden Club will discuss gardening resources available in the community.

The library is at 8820 Greenback Lane, Suite L, Orangevale; the event will be held in the library’s Jane Wise Meeting Room.

To find locations and other information about the seed libraries, go here.