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: West Perry Gardening Group
- Date & Time: Friday, April 18, 10:15am
- Location: West Perry Branch
- Description: Gardens are essentially a place of sharing and gardeners know that we learn a lot from each other–whether you’re just starting or experienced. Sessions will feature seasonal discussions, resources–like our Seed Library–and connections with other gardeners.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Smaller Space Gardening
- Date & Time: Thursday, April 24, 1:00pm
- Location: West Indianapolis Branch
- Description: Come hear Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp share about the right-sized gardener and growing with life’s changes.
- Register Here
- Event: Container Gardening
- Date & Time: Monday, April 28, 6:00pm
- Location: Nora Branch
- Description: Whether you have no in-ground soil or no desire to get on your hands and knees to garden, container gardening could be your answer! Join Master Gardeners to learn about growing in containers.
- Register Here
- Event: Gardening for Pollinators
- Date & Time: Tuesday, April 29, 5:00pm
- Location: Pike Branch
- Description: Join Master Gardeners and other experts to learn about the best ways to garden and support pollinators!
- Register Here
- Event: Butterflies, Bugs, & Wildlife in Gardens
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 03, 2:30pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: Also called “Where the Wild Things Are,” join Jo Ellen to consider how you can invite the wild things into your landscape so they can pollinate plants, eat bugs, and add beauty. Learn which plants provide food and shelter for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
- Register Here
- Event: West Perry Gardening Group
- Date & Time: Friday, May 09, 10:15am
- Location: West Perry Branch
- Description: Gardens are essentially a place of sharing and gardeners know that we learn a lot from each other–whether you’re just starting or experienced. Sessions will feature seasonal discussions, resources–like our Seed Library–and connections with other gardeners.
- No Registration Required.
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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