Darien Library embracing gardening interest with more programming
DARIEN — With many being home much more since last March, the interest in home gardening and upgrading outdoor spaces has increased. In sensing that interest, the Darien Library has “drastically” increased its programs focused on gardening, said Amanda Goodman, head of the library’s user experience.
The library offers gardening programs from instructional to virtual tours of some of the world’s most beautiful gardens.
Some upcoming programs include a private virtual tour through the historic house known as Hill-Stead, tips for growing organic vegetables, a virtual tour of several historic mansions in the Hudson River Valley, and a workshop on how to grow and maintain perennials.
“We are well-guided in our gardening offers because of Susie Skerrett, an Advanced UConn Master Gardener,” Goodman said.
Skerrett manages Darien Library’s vegetable garden, is an advisor on the gardening programs and also a member of the Pollinator’s
Pathway.
The library has also supported sustainable farming as a pickup location for Stoneledge Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture since 2017.
Goodman said the vegetables from the library’s gardens are offered at the w elcome desk throughout the season, freshly picked for any visitor to take home. The library also has offered a seed exchange in the past but that is currently not an active program.
The library also offers an online video archive of previous gardening programs.