Library Connections: Let it sow, let it sow, let it sow

“Well, the weather outside is frightful …” Yes, it is winter in Maine.

Cabin fever takes many forms. Some people look outside at their dormant gardens and get the itch for an early start on their spring planting. But what if you have neither the patience nor the indoor space for grow lights? You might want to try winter sowing.

Winter sowing is a no-muss, no-fuss technique to start plants from seeds. All that is required is an empty milk or water jug, planting soil, seeds, and a roll of painter’s tape. Once you have done the prep work, the jug goes outside in the snow and rain. You then simply wait for Mother Nature to tell the seeds to germinate.

How does winter sowing fit into a “Library Connections” column? It is the topic of the library’s initial First Thursday presentation of 2024.

With the exception of the pandemic period, the Orr’s Island Library has for years been putting on programming for adults at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month.

Last year featured a wide variety of programs.

– Ed Robinson presented an engaging program about “Ecuador’s Stunning Wildlife: the Andes, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands.

– Arborist Tim Vail gave a neighborhood walking demonstration of pruning, showing when and how to do it properly.

– Heather Arvidson,  from the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, talked about its mission and 40-year history.

– Mary Lee Coe Fowler, author of “Full Fathom Five,” discussed her fascinating book about one woman’s quest to find knowledge of her father lost at sea.

– Mary Ann Nahf, from the Harpswell Conservation Commission, detailed water issues in Harpswell and plans to address them in the future.

– Brad Babson explained his experience as an amateur beekeeper with hives and the contributions bees make to the ecology of their environment.

This year’s First Thursday programming begins on Jan. 4. Librarian Anne Wilkes and board President Dan Hoebeke will share their experience with winter sowing, giving a hands-on demonstration of the simple and successful process of starting your garden early. They will also offer free seeds to get you started. A materials list for those who want to do their own planting at the presentation is on the library’s website. A video of the program will be available on the library’s website for those unable to attend.

Additional First Thursday programs are well into the planning stage. Expect to hear more about the history of Harpswell, engage with Maine authors and explore other topics of local interest.

Lest we forget our younger population, the library will again be partnering with the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department in the new year. The success of the trunk-or-treat at OBIFD and Santa’s arrival at the library on a firetruck revealed that the children of Harpswell (and their families) welcome library programming that is tailored to them. First on the agenda for the coming year? An Easter egg hunt on the library lawn.

As a reminder, the library is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The used bookstore has a wide variety of books for purchase. Feel free to come in and sit by the fire, put your feet up, grab a cup of coffee and a book, and enjoy some conversation. If the weather turns especially nasty, the library will again be open as a warming center.

In the meantime, if you get cabin fever, let it sow, let it sow, let it sow!

“Library Connections” is a monthly column that rotates among the three libraries that serve Harpswell: Cundy’s Harbor, Orr’s Island and Curtis Memorial. Daniel Hoebeke is the president of the Orr’s Island Library Board of Trustees. For more information about the Orr’s Island Library, go to orrsislandlibrary.org, find the library on Facebook, or visit in person at 1699 Harpswell Islands Road, Orr’s Island.