Maitland council and Slow Food Hunter Valley have united to create a seed library that is about to start blooming. Residents can register to collect a variety of seasonal seeds they can plant and nourish to the point that a crop can be harvested.

Participants will collect the seeds and give back a portion of them, so the library can gradually expand.

Beetroot, carrots, swedes, garlic and turnips will be part of the first selection of seeds available.

With social distancing and hygiene precautions in place due to COVID-19 - and East Maitland Library closed for physical visits, the seeds will be available through a Click and Collect service.

"This is an exciting new initiative connecting people in the community to local experts and resources," Manager Galleries and Libraries Keryl Collard said.

"Gardening has many mental health benefits that can help everyone get through this period of isolation whilst also contributing to the preservation of seeds and encouraging locally resilient seed stocks."

The seed library is part of Slow Food Hunter Valley's focus on sustainability and re-connecting people with the paddock to plate process.

"The gift of seeds in exchange for a deposit of seeds from the crop at the end of the season completes the cycle," leader Anne Kelly said.

"It reinforces Slow Food's work in saving food cultures, celebrating seasonality and maintaining biodiversity.'

Some of the producers who attend the Slow Food Earth Market in The Levee have donated seeds to kickstart the library.

Matthew and Liam Dennis offered some of their vegetable seeds, while Tom Christie has donated some of his garlic bulbs.

"This is another step in guiding the Maitland community on their fresh food journey," Slow Food Earth Market Maitland chairwoman Amorelle Dempster said.

"We hope people will use some of the extra time they now have at home to learn to grow their own food. There are a lot of books available at the library for information."

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