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 Pike
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 02, 11:00am
- Location: Pike 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: Container Gardening
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 02, 11:00am
- Location: Michigan Road 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 Gardener Danielle Randles to learn about growing in containers.
- Register Here
- Event: Succession Planting with Seed Storage Boxes
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 02, 1:00pm
- Location: Warren Branch
- Description: Succession planting is all about planning (and planting) your garden to keep it continuously producing yummy veggies, herbs, and flowers all season long. Learn about this technique while creating your own storage box for seeds.
- Register Here
- Event: Get Growing!
- Date & Time: Monday, May 11, 6:00pm
- Location: Glendale Branch
- Description: It’s time to put those seeds and plants in your garden. Learn what you can start from seed and what should be transplanted. We’ll cover what you need to think about when you get everything in the ground.
- Register Here
- Event: Gardening Group at West Perry
- Date & Time: Friday, May 15, 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 a time of introductions & Q&A, a seasonal topic discussed, resources–like our Seed Library–and connections with other gardeners.
- Register Here
- Event: Plant Exchange at Fort Ben
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 16, 10:30am
- Location: Fort Ben Branch
- Description: Did you have more seedlings sprout than you expected? Is your aloe ready to split? Share your abundance with others and pick up some plants with this drop in program!
- 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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