East Las Vegas Seed Share – Sharing the Love of Gardening One Seed at a Time
Saving and sharing seeds is a practice that’s largely disappeared over the years. That’s why East Las Vegas Seed Share encourages locals to save and share seeds from their gardens with others who are gardening in the community.
Marilyn Herrera, founder of East Las Vegas Seed Share, said she was inspired by seeing seed libraries in other communities.
“I thought it was such a wonderful idea and hoped someone would make one in Las Vegas,” she said. “Eventually, I decided to try to be the person who started a seed library for my community, and that was how East Las Vegas Seed Share was created.”
ELVSS was founded in late 2022 with a mission to encourage people to plant seeds, save their seeds, grow gardens, and share their harvests with their community. Its first library was up and running in February 2023.
Starting out, Herrera shared that her biggest challenge was not knowing what to do.
“I have never done anything like this before, and it has definitely been a learning process,” she said. Looking to the future, her biggest goal is encouraging others to start gardening.
“Even if it’s just a little pot on their kitchen windowsill. I want everyone to plant some seeds!” she said. “And, I also want as many people as possible to save seeds. I feel like people think it’s too difficult or complicated, but anyone can do it.”
East Las Vegas Seed Share Libraries
At the moment, there are nine open ELVSS libraries around the Las Vegas Valley, located at the following locations:
- The Solidarity Fridge: 5502 Blackthorn Dr. 89121
- Parkdale Senior Center: 3200 Ferndale St. 89121
- Arturo Cambeiro Elementary School Garden: 2851 E. Harris Ave. 89101
- Veterans Memorial Community Center: 101 Pavilion Center Dr. 89144
- East Las Vegas Community Center: 250 N. Eastern Ave. 89101
- Doolittle Senior Center Community Garden: 1200 W. Blankenship Ave. 89106
- Neighborhood Little Free Book Library: E. Waterdragon Ave. 89110
- Historic Westside School: 330 W. Washington Ave. 89106
- Whitney Senior Center: 5712 Missouri Ave. 89122
The following two locations are temporarily closed:
- Spring Valley Library: 4280 S. Jones Blvd. 89103
- Effervesce/It’s Just Bubbles Natural Products Store: 1020 Fremont St., Suite A 89101
Herrera shared that she doesn’t plan on expanding the number of seed libraries at this time.
“Packaging all the seeds and stocking all the seed libraries takes time, and I don’t want to do more than I can handle on my own,” she said.
People interested in setting up their own seed libraries just need seeds and something to put them in.
“I have seen so many different seed libraries in other cities, and they all get the job done. It can be as simple as a shoe box.”
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The Importance of Seed Saving and Sharing
Herrera shared a few reasons why seed saving and sharing is so important.
“Saved seeds become adapted to our climate, making them more resilient, which is very important with climate change,” she said. “Seed saving is also being forgotten. Our ancestors saved seeds for centuries, and it is only in recent times that we no longer do so.”
Moreover, seed saving is beneficial to humanity’s longevity and sustainability.
“Seeds are so magical,” Herrera said. “One tiny seed gives us food to eat and an overabundance of seeds so that we can continue to plant them and have food.”
She also added that she really wants to host a seed swap but is unsure of people’s interest.
“If people are interested in me hosting one, please let me know!”
How Best to Save Seeds
Herrera explains that if you’re seed-saving for the first time, focus on saving seeds from one plant for your first season.
“It can be easy to want to save seeds from everything, but that can easily become overwhelming,” she said. “I think some of the easiest plants to save seeds from are beans, sunflowers, and peppers.”
For those wanting to share seeds with East Las Vegas Seed Share, contact the organization through Instagram or email them at eastlvseedshare@gmail.com.
“If the seeds are saved from their garden, I would just need to know the type and the year they were saved,” Herrera added.
Misconceptions
Herrera also mentioned one of the misconceptions she’s encountered with people about ELVSS and its operation.
“Sometimes, people assume that we are a non-profit or receive some type of funding to run the seed share. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Everything is purchased out of pocket,” she explained. “I have been lucky to receive some seed donations from seed companies, but the envelopes, labels, seed libraries, and bulk seeds when the donations were not enough are all out of pocket.”
Seeds of Joy
Herrera shared one of the best parts about the work she does with ELVSS.
“I love it when I get sent pictures of plants growing in someone’s garden from seeds they got from the seed share,” she said. “It really makes me so happy.”
Moreover, she hopes that the seed share creates more gardeners.
“I hope that planting the seeds they got from the seed share brings them happiness and brings them closer to nature,” she said. “Gardening has been absolutely life-changing for me and has brought me so much joy. I just want others to experience that as well.”
#GetinMotion with East Las Vegas Seed Share
There are a few ways to help support East Las Vegas Seed Share and its mission. Follow the organization on Instagram and Facebook and check out the seed share website for more info.
In addition to donating to East Las Vegas Seed Share and purchasing items on their Amazon wishlist, Herrera said, “The best way for anyone to support us is by visiting the seed libraries and planting the seeds. Also, by sharing seeds with their friends and family and hopefully encouraging as many people as possible to garden.”
Since she runs the organization herself, Herrera said she’d be glad to have help.
“I am mostly a one-woman show at the moment, which can make things tough when it comes to events or restocking the seed libraries. I try my best with the available time and resources, but I work and have a family, so my time can be limited,” she said. “If anyone wants to help, that would be wonderful!”
Lastly, Herrera wished to thank her friend, Talia. “She’s been so helpful with the seed share, and I could not have done it without her.”
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