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 – Fort Ben
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 25, 10:00am
- Location: Fort Ben 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 – Spades Park
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 25, 10:30am
- Location: Spades Park 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: Starting Native Plants from Seeds
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 25, 10:30am
- Location: West Perry Branch
- Description: There’s still time to start some native seeds for this year! Join expert Brooke Alford to learn about (and practice some steps of) starting native plants from seeds.
- Register Here
- Event: Seed Library Support – Glendale
- Date & Time: Monday, January 27, 6:00pm
- Location: Glendale 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 Swap
- Date & Time: Monday, January 27, 6:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: Do you have seeds you would like to share? Perhaps you’re hoping to find some seeds that are new to you. Join in this seed swap – a chance to bring and share seeds with others in the gardening community. You are not required to bring seeds to participate – bring seeds, trade seeds, or take seeds!
- Register Here
- Event: Plant Swap
- Date & Time: Tuesday, January 28, 10:30am
- Location: Irvington Branch
- Description: Bring, take, and share plants and cuttings with neighbors and new friends. Maybe leave with a bit of new knowledge.
- 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 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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