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, December 20, 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 with a local Master Gardener, resources–like our Seed Library–and connections with other gardeners.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Seed Library Support – College Avenue
- Date & Time: Thursday, January 09, 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 – Southport
- Date & Time: Thursday, January 09, 1:30pm
- Location: Southport 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 – Central Library
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 11, 10:00am
- Location: Central Library
- 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 – Martindale-Brightwood
- Date & Time: Monday, January 13, 3:00pm
- Location: Martindale-Brightwood 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 – Beech Grove
- Date & Time: Wednesday, January 15, 11:00am
- Location: Beech Grove Branch
- Description: Work with fellow volunteers to pack seeds for our 2025 Seed Library at Beech Grove! 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
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 here.
- Gardens to Save the World & Attract Pollinators – IndyPL_KimberlyC
- Dig up a mystery – IndyPL_MicheleP
- Flower Gardening in Indiana – IndyPL_KathyH
- Gardening In An Apartment (Or Other Small Space!) – IndyPL_SarahM
- Garden Photography – IndyPL_KathyH
- Indoor Kitchen Gardens – IndyPL_KateC
- Gardening & Indiana Native Plants – IndyPL_AnikaW
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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