Newcastle Seed Libraries

16/04/2026

A very big THANKYOU to the 17 people who came along to our monthly Seed Pack and Chat on Tuesday - your enthusiasm and productivity was unmatched!

Thanks also to the lovely person who rang Wallsend Library yesterday to pass on positive feedback about the event. I hope you all enjoyed the session's topic of Natural Pest Control and feel more confident to approach your gardening challenges.

Lachlan from Tree Frog Permaculture will be back next month sharing tops on homemade fertilisers - book your FREE SPOT here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1551822 (Note: only 8 spots left!)

I didn't get a photo of the production line of busy bees at the Seed Pack and Chat but please enjoy this selection of donated seeds received today from Debra (Lambton) and Jo (Charlestown). And thank you to all our seed donors who keep the Seed Library well stocked with seed.

Image: Brown and white envelopes of various sizes labelled with seed names.

13/04/2026

TWO SPOTS NOW AVAILABLE for tomorrow night’s free Seed Pack and Chat at Wallsend Library with guest speaker Lachlan Storrie from Tree Frog Permaculture, talking about natural pest control. 6-7.30pm

Book here :

Learn numerous strategies for dealing with pests in non-toxic and natural ways including how to organise your garden plantings to minimise the...

24/03/2026

Cleaned seed donations wanted! As we shift into Autumn now is a great time to check your garden for seeds and donate some to Newcastle Seed Library.

Our upcoming Seed Pack and Chat with guest speaker Tree Frog Permaculture on Tuesday 14 April (on the topic of Natural Pest Control) already has 20 people booked in! We will have many hands available to pack seeds ready for distribution to the community.

Information to include when donating cleaned seeds:
Seed type, variety (if known), when harvested (month/year), where harvested (suburb), when to plant and basic planting notes. Drop off at any Newcastle Libraries branch using your envelope or pick some up in branch.

5 spots still available for the Seed Pack and Chat on 14 April: Free event but bookings required: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1551817

Image: Dried sunflowers sitting on a table. Photo by Sofia Paixão via Unsplash

19/03/2026

Bookings are now open for our upcoming FREE Seed Pack and Chat Guest Speaker series with Lachlan from Tree Frog Permaculture at Wallsend Library:

Natural Pest Control
Tuesday 14 April, 6-7.30pm
Learn numerous strategies for dealing with pests in non-toxic and natural ways.

Making Your Own Fertilisers
Tuesday 12 May, 6-7.30pm
Learn about various systems to provide the majority of your garden’s own fertiliser needs.

Ponds, Water Gardens and Aquaponics
Tuesday 9 June, 6-7.30pm
Learn tips and tricks to get a water garden or aquatic system working for you!

Learn some new things then stay to pack seeds for Newcastle Seed Library (and take home some seeds too!)

Book your free ticket today!
https://newcastlelibraries.com.au/experience/what-s-on/what-s-on-events-calendar?Title=seed

Image: Large edible garden beds with different plants in rows

19/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who came along to the Grow and Gather Plant Swap last Saturday at HMC - Hunter Multicultural Communities Inc! As always, lots of plants swapped hands and lots of knowledge was shared peer to peer - such a joy! Thanks to Jess from Green Thumb Social for hosting the event.

Photo: Three people smiling, holding plants.

12/03/2026

Getting ready for the free plant swap tomorrow Saturday 14 March at HMC - Hunter Multicultural Communities Inc, 10am-12pm! We'll be under the Community Shed awning. Drop in event. All welcome. Big thanks to Green Thumb Social for hosting the plant swap.

What are you bringing along? It's a great opportunity to share old gardening magazines, pots as well as plants, seedlings and seeds. If you'd like to donate cleaned seeds to Newcastle Seed Library, say hello to Christina when you arrive!

There will be free children's activities including a potting bar for kids as well as a ‘design your mini garden’ activity where kids can plant and play in a model garden.

You can also find out about City of Newcastle's Street Garden Program plus explore the thriving community garden onsite and say hello to the resident chickens.

Proudly presented as part of City of Newcastle Seniors Festival by Newcastle Libraries

Big thanks to Jo, Newcastle Seed Library volunteer for offering these plants even though he can't be there tomorrow.
Image: Close up of plants in the back seat of a car.

09/02/2026

Who's coming tomorrow night for our friendly Seed Pack and Chat, this time with a special guest Tree Frog Permaculture! 6-7.30pm at Wallsend Library. Drop in session! Learn some new things about sustainable urban gardens, help pack seeds for Newcastle Seed Library, chat with like- minded folk and take home some seed packets!

Join us for a Seed Pack & Chat session this Tuesday evening featuring a special guest speaker - Lachlan Storrie from Tree Frog Permaculture!

Explore the ins and outs of gardening sustainably in an urban setting, from the nuances of organic food production to water saving tips and natural pest control.

Following Lachlan's presentation, join him for informal chats while you pack seeds for Newcastle Seed Library, a community seed sharing project. Take home some vegetable seeds for your garden.

📆 Tuesday 10 February, 6-7:30pm
📍 Wallsend Library
🧑 For Teens/Adults
🎟 FREE, drop-in event!

Newcastle Seed Libraries

29/01/2026

Hello everyone! We are now past the middle of summer and the end of year festivities are behind us. We are excited to announce that we are having guest speakers at our Seed Pack and Chats in February and March!

Coming up first on Tuesday 10 February, 6-7.30pm (Wallsend Library) will be Lachie from Tree Frog Permaculture exploring the ins and outs of gardening sustainably in an urban setting.

From the nuances of organic food production to water saving tips and natural pest control, come and choose your own garden adventure!

Following Lachie's presentation, join him for informal chats while you pack seeds for Newcastle Seed Library, a community seed sharing project. Take home some vegetable seeds for your garden.

This is a FREE drop in event. No need to book. All welcome. Suitable for teens/adults.

Save the date and see you then!

Explore the ins and outs of gardening sustainably in an urban setting with Lachie of Tree Frog Permaculture.

18/11/2025

Spots still available - who’s coming?

🌱 It's seed saving season! Join Newcastle Libraries and Newcastle Seed Libraries for a hands-on seed saving workshop this weekend. Learn how to save the right seed, prepare seeds for storage, monitor seed quality and grow from seed at this one-of-a-kind workshop.

🌸 Explore a vibrant community garden
🌸 Learn to store and grow your own seeds
🌸 Take home a free selection of seeds from the Newcastle Seed Library.

Saturday 22 November, 10am - 12pm, Hunter Multicultural Communities 2A Platt St, Waratah.

Tickets are just $5! Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1453852

04/11/2025

Our next volunteer Seed Pack and Chat will be Tuesday 11 November, 6-7.30pm at Wallsend Library.

Please bring your library card so you can access the building.

Let me know if you can join us. If you have any seeds to share, please bring them along 🌿 If you are not yet a registered volunteer, you are welcome to come along as a visitor to check it out!

Photo: Mint seedlings, corn, watermelon and seeds brought along to share at the last Seed Pack and Chat