The Seed Library
Pick up free seeds to start your vegetable, herb, or flower garden free! The Indianapolis Public Library Seed Library is available at all our locations during regular branch hours from late March through September. One packet of each type of seed per household. In addition to free seeds, check out resources and attend workshops about growing and using plants from your seeds. We provide materials and programs to make gardening in Indianapolis a doable goal for beginners.
Tune in online for a a Gardening Storytime – a great way to read up on beginning gardening projects for kids. For kids, gardening offers a way to get messy and watch the payoff for their hard work, in the form of growing veggies and beautiful flowers. You can say, “Hey! I grew the thing! Look at the thing that I grew! Isn’t it pretty?” Imagine the Instagram fun!
Programs
- Event: Seed Library Support at Wayne
- Date & Time: Wednesday, January 07, 10:00am
- Location: Wayne Branch
- Description: Work with fellow volunteers to pack seeds for our 2026 Seed Library! Measure out bulk seeds into envelopes that community members can take home and grow.
- Register Here
- Event: Seed Library Support at College Avenue
- Date & Time: Thursday, January 08, 10:00am
- Location: College Avenue Branch
- Description: Work with fellow volunteers to pack seeds for our 2025 Seed Library! Join in on some literal bean counting, use your finger to measure out teensy oregano bits, and use scoops of different sizes to measure out flower seeds.
- Register Here
- Event: Seed Library Support
- Date & Time: Thursday, January 08, 2:00pm
- Location: Wayne Branch
- Description: Work with fellow volunteers to pack seeds for our 2026 Seed Library! Measure out bulk seeds into envelopes that community members can take home and grow.
- Register Here
- Event: Seed Library Support at Glendale
- Date & Time: Monday, January 12, 6:00pm
- Location: Glendale Branch
- Description: Work with fellow volunteers to pack seeds for our 2026 Seed Library! Measure out bulk seeds into envelopes that community members can take home and grow.
- Register Here
- Event: Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat
- Date & Time: Monday, January 12, 6:00pm
- Location: West Perry Branch
- Description: Turn your garden into a haven for wildlife by making sure that it contains forage, water, and nesting spaces. Join garden expert Amy Mullen to learn about how you can plan and convert your space!
- Register Here
- Event: Seed Library Support
- Date & Time: Wednesday, January 14, 10:00am
- Location: Wayne Branch
- Description: Work with fellow volunteers to pack seeds for our 2026 Seed Library! Measure out bulk seeds into envelopes that community members can take home and grow.
- Register Here
View on Demand
Learn on Demand Video: Seed Saving
Join Anika Williams from the Pike Branch of The Indianapolis Public Library as she harvests milkweed seeds on site and discusses the Seed Library available there.
Reading Recommendations from our Staff
Browse these featured staff book lists to help improve your gardening in Indianapolis skills. See all our gardening book lists.
Gardening in Indianapolis Resources
Follow Purdue Extension, one of the best ways to learn about gardening in Indiana. Browse their recommended online resources:
- Free Gardening Docs from Purdue Extension Purdue also has a fine YouTube channel with informative videos. As always, the Extension’s information is tailored specifically for Hoosier gardeners.
Gardening for Kids
- Gardening Storytime Online
- Plants for Kids Book List – Experiments and Activities for Backyard Botanists
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