Doug Oster is using old newspaper boxes to share seeds with as many people as possible.
Where have all the newspaper boxes gone?
If you’re in western Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if you find a dark green newspaper box with a sign in the window that says “Doug’s Free Seed Shack.“
Pittsburgh garden expert Doug Oster, a newspaper industry veteran, is using old newspaper boxes to get seeds to as many people as possible. He wants more people to garden. And he wants vegetable seeds easily available in communities where access to fresh produce is limited.
Having seen pictures online of seed-library boxes, he thought about doing something similar in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
Oster, who jokes about not being handy, decided building boxes wasn’t his thing. Instead, he repurposed old newspaper boxes. All it took was spray paint and a trip to the print shop for signs.
After the first summer of the project, Oster says he’s pleased with the results. The seeds are getting into the community. He’s getting good feedback. And people are asking if they can share seeds in the boxes, which is exactly what he wants. He wants the seed shacks to be like a library, where people can take seeds—but can also return seeds if they wish.
Tips for a Seed-Sharing Initiative
Oster says he needs to fine-tune the seeds he’s sharing through the boxes. He started by sharing what he knows, and what he thought would be useful to new gardeners. For example, he thought perpetual spinach—which has a long planting window, is easy to grow, and has a mild taste—was a great choice. But there was little interest in the perpetual spinach seed. What that taught him is that people often want to grow foods they know and love.
Oster’s tips for seed-sharing projects include:
Find a go-to person in the community who can let you know when a box needs refilling and can give insights on how to make it successful
Put it somewhere with good access, and where people feel safe
Don’t be shy about asking for sponsors
Connect with Doug Oster
Website: dougoster.com
If this episode piqued your interest in sharing seeds, tune in to the April 2020 episode entitled “Saving Seeds and the Stories Behind Them.” We chat with Ben Cohen, who founded the Michigan Seed Library.