Library building

Keene Public Library

Seed And Tool Lending Library

It is time to start your seeds.

Seed starting kits provide everything you need to get those seedlings started. The kit includes a heat mat, grow lite, fan, flat seed tray with a dome, a 38-cell seed tray, and The New Seed Starters Handbook by Nancy Bubel.

Seed starting kits are available by reservation to residents of Cheshire County by calling the circulation desk at (603) 352-0157. Seed starting kits check out for 90 days. Kits are available on a first come first serve basis and must be picked up within 7 days of your reservation. 

Seeds are available now as they become available to us. We should be fully stocked by March 1, 2024, Vegetable and Flower seeds will be available on a first come first serve basis from the racks in the Putnam Atrium. We ask that you limit yourself to 5 seed packets. Thank you.

About the Seed and Tool Libraries

The Monadnock Grows Together Seed, and Garden Tool Lending Libraries are available to all residents of Cheshire County with an active Keene Public Library Card or Cheshire County Special Borrowers Card in good standing. Garden Tools can now be reserved up to 6 months in advance - Click here to place a reservation. Please allow staff 24 hours to process pending reservation requests and retrieve reserved Items. All borrowers must also complete and sign our Library of Things, Garden Tools and Outdoor Gear Library Terms of Use and Waiver of Liability.

Vegetable and Flower seeds are available on the seed racks located in the Putnam Atrium. Garden Tools can be reserved by calling the main desk at (603) 352-0157. 

This program is a result of a partnership between the Keene Public Library, Cheshire County Conservation District, Antioch University New England's Community Garden Connections (CGC), and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).

Monadnock Grows Together is funded by the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) established the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative in 2016 to help conservation districts and their partners provide much-needed technical assistance for agricultural conservation in developed or predominantly developing areas. Since July 2016, NAC and NRCS have awarded three rounds of grants totaling $4 million to 81 conservation district projects across 34 states.

In addition to seeds and garden tools, the library provides educational workshops and other resources about growing and saving seeds and organic gardening. Please see our calendar for upcoming gardening workshops. 

Want to start gardening but don't have the right tools? Ready to tackle a big yard project and need something unusual? The Garden Tool Library can help! 

  • How To Borrow From The Seed Lending Library

    What is a Seed Library?

    Similar to a normal library, gardeners "borrow" seeds from the seed library at planting time. At the end of the growing seasons, they save the seeds from the plants and return a portion of the seeds to the library. 

    Seeds are available now as they become available to us. We should be fully stocked by March 1, 2024, Vegetable and Flower seeds will be available on a first come first serve basis from the racks in the Putnam Atrium. We ask that you limit yourself to 5 seed packets. Thank you.

    Our seeds come from regional seed companies and donations from the community. 

    We encourage people to harvest seeds to share with the community.

    Seed libraries encourage biodiversity and decrease our reliance on major seed companies. This helps combat seed monocultures which threaten the world's food supply.

     

  • How To And What To Borrow From The Tool Library

    Call us at 603-352-0157 to place a hold on a tool. We'll contact you when the items are ready for pickup.

     

    Broadfork

    Broadfork

    This is a tool used to break up hard soil to improve aeration and drainage manually. It's indispensable when creating new beds or turning lawn/turf into a garden. This is a hefty tool, as it weighs 15 pounds.

    Here's a great beginner's video on using the Broad Fork.

    Battery Powered Hand Seeder

    Battery Powered Hand Seeder

    This battery-powered seeder is excellent for any seed you wish to broadcast, from lawn grass, to cover crops or baby greens.

    Flat Spade Shovel

    Flat Spade Shovel

    A spade has a flat edge (not a rounded or pointed edge). It is most useful for cutting. For example, if you need to line the edge of a garden bed.

    Garden Fork

    Garden Fork

    A garden fork is also sometimes called a digging fork. It is helpful for loosening soil. For example, to prepare a garden bed or loosen large weeds before pulling them out.

    Garden Rake

    Garden Rake

    Garden rakes can make the soil smooth and break up clumps before planting in a seedbed. They can be used to spread compost or mulch and can be used to "tamp down" the soil after planting. They are much sturdier than a leaf rake and are better for use with soil.

    Hand Cultivator

    Hand Cultivator

    This is a great hand weeding tool! Versatile in small spaces.

    Hand Fork

    Hank Fork

    On a smaller scale than a garden/digging fork, a hand fork is a tool used for weeding and loosening soil on a smaller scale than a garden/digging fork.

    Hand Rake

    Hand Rake

    A hand rake is used for loosening soil in a garden bed. They are small, like garden trowels, and are handy for tight spaces. They can be helpful when prepping small areas for seeds or digging out weeds. 

    Hoe

    Hoe

    A hoe is a tool for removing weeds, and it is best used when the soil is dry and the blade needs to be kept sharp. You should stand as upright as possible and aim to cut off the weeds just under the soil's surface. 

    Pruner

    Pruner

    18 in. D-Handled Pruning Saw

    Pruning Saw

    Pruning Saw

    21 in. Bow Pruning Saw

    Ideal use for clearing brush and pruning.

     

     

    Push Seeder

    Push Seeder

    This seeder is excellent for row crops. It has interchangeable plates to be used with seeds of different sizes. 

    Here's a great beginner's video on using the push seeder.

    Shovel

    Shovel

    A shovel has a rounded or pointed edge (not a flat edge), and it is most helpful in digging and moving soil. 

     

    Telescoping Lopper

    Telescoping Lopper

    25 in. - 37 in. Telescoping Bypass Lopper

     

    Trowel

    Trowel

    A shovel has a rounded or pointed edge (not a flat edge), and it is most helpful in digging and moving soil. 

     

    Bypass pruner

    Bypass pruner

    Ideal for cutting stems and light branches.

  • Adaptative to enhance your enjoyment of gardening and to keep gardeners gardening

    Bypass pruner

    Bypass pruner

    Ideal for cutting stems and light branches.

    2 Prong Weeder

    Adaptive

    With comfortGEL grip. Reaches to 40 in. A sharpened, fork-tipped blade pulls weed underground at the root source.

    Easi-grip long reach fork

    Easi-grip long reach fork

    Adaptive

    It measures 32 inches long, weighs 18.5 oz. Hand tools with longer handles are helpful for light digging and cultivating the soil. They are particularly recommended if you garden sitting down or can't bend easily.

    Deluxe stand-up weeder

    Deluxe stand-up weeder

    Adaptive
    Four serrated, stainless-steel claws firmly grab weed and roots for permanent weed removal. Long shaft eliminates sore knees from kneeling and backache from bending and stooping. Length: 39 in.

     

    Drill-powered weed removal tool and cordless drill

    Drill-powered weed removal tool and cordless drill

    Adaptive

    This tool works with a cordless or electric drill to remove weeds and entire roots with one spinning motion. The 30" drive shaft allows for easy stand-up use. Includes weed spinner shaft, two 12v max 2.0 Ah Li-Ion batteries, 12v charger, and soft carrying bag

    Extendable Hedge Shear

    Extendable Hedge Shear

    Adaptive

    Lightweight steel handles with comfort grips extend from 15-Inch to 26". 8.5" forged high carbon steel blades for durability and strength. ShockStop bumper reduces arm and shoulder fatigue. A precision-made pivot bolt provides smooth cutting action.

    Fork/hoe combo (extendable)

    Extendable trowel, fan rake, and cultivator-hoe combination.

    No Bend Weed Remover

    No Bend Weed Remover

    Adaptive

    It measures 39.5 inches long, 8.25 inches wide. The No Bend Weed Remover is easy to use. Center the three prongs over the weed and push downward firmly. Turn the handle to dislodge the weed roots and pull the weed up. Push the ejector to remove the weed from the prongs. A T-shaped handle increases leverage, making turning and weed removal easier.

    Pro-Lite Digging Fork

    Adaptive

    The Pro-Lite Digging Fork, with its square-shaped "English-style" tines, is an ideal tool for turning and cultivating soil and moving mulch, sod, and yard debris.

    Garden Kneeler and Seat

    Adaptive

    Save your knees and back. It folds flat for easy storage. Holds up to 250 lbs.

    Pro-lite shovel

    Pro-lite shovel

    Adaptive

    The Pro-Lite Shovel is a high-performance, all-purpose digging tool with a round-point sharpened carbon steel blade designed for easy digging and greater leverage.

    Easi-Grip Arm Support Cuff

    Easi-Grip Arm Support Cuff

    Adaptive

    The PETA Easi-Grip Arm Support Cuff allows gardeners who suffer from weak hands and wrists to tap into the forearm's strength. The Arm Support Cuff easily plugs into the back of any Easi-Grip Garden Tool and the Add-On Handles, which allows the Arm Support Cuff to be used with various products. The arm support cuff slots into the end of the handle, and as well as giving support, it stops the tool from falling to the ground if you lose your grip.


    Includes 1 armband, 1 shaff, and directions in a plastic case. 3-1/2 inch diameter, 1/4 inch thick, 1 3/4 high. Shaft Dimensions: 8 inches long, 3/8 inch square.

    Easi-grip cultivator

    Easi-grip cultivator

    Adaptive

    Easi-Grip tools have a specially angled handle making them more comfortable and eliminating the strains and blisters that conventional-style garden tools can cause.

    Easi-grip fork

    Easi-grip fork

    Adaptive

    Easi-grip tools have a specifically designed handle making them more comfortable to use. Keeping your hand and wrist at a natural angle eliminates the strains and blisters that conventional-style garden tools can cause.

    Easi-grip long reach cultivator

    Easi-grip long reach cultivator

    Measures 32 inches long, weight 18 oz. Hand tools with longer handles are helpful for light digging and cultivating the soil. They are particularly recommended if you garden sitting down or can't bend easily.
    Easi-Grip Long Reach Hoe

    Easi-Grip Long Reach Hoe

    Adaptive

    It measures 31 inches long, weighs 20 oz. Hand tools with longer handles are helpful for light digging and cultivating the soil. They are particularly recommended if you garden sitting down or can't bend easily.

    Easi-Grip Long Reach Trowel

    Easi-Grip Long Reach Trowel

    Adaptive

    It measures 34 inches long, weighs 20 oz. Hand tools with longer handles are helpful for light digging and cultivating the soil. They are particularly recommended if you garden sitting down or can't bend easily.

    Easi-grip trowel

    Easi-grip trowel

    Adaptive

    Easi-grip tools have a specially angled handle making them more comfortable to use. Keeping your hand and wrist at a natural angle eliminates the strains and blisters that conventional-style garden tools can cause.

  • Grow a Row for the Community Kitchen

    By growing a few extra plants and donating their fruits, you are helping fill a critical need in the Monadnock Region, where more than 12% of our children are food insecure. If everyone planted a couple of extra tomatoes, onions, peppers, or basil plants, imagine the impact we could have on our community. 
    To learn more about being a backyard garden donor and the donation process, contact Jacob Sherwood, the Cheshire County Gleaning Coordinator, at cheshire@nhgleans.org.

    What should I grow for Cheshire County Gleans?

    Almost anything you love to grow, but here's a list of their top ten most wanted foods:

    1. Herbs
    2. Cauliflower
    3. Carrots, especially early varieties
    4. Brussel sprouts
    5. Snap or snow peas
    6. Green and yellow beans
    7. Cherry tomatoes
    8. Peppers
    9. Salad greens, especially head lettuce
    10. Broccoli

    More favorite items: young potatoes, eggplant, kale, beets, turnips, radish, canned or dried beans, apples, peaches, strawberries, blueberries

    What foods do they not need: 
    zucchini, summer squash, and cucumbers

Gardener Support

For questions regarding the Garden Tool lending library, seed library and library of things please call the circulation desk at  (603) 352-0157.

Monadnock Grows Together