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: Cover Crops – Improving Your Soil’s Health
- Date & Time: Saturday, August 29, 1:00pm
- Location: Pike Branch
- Description: Planting cover crops in your garden is a very easy way to improve your soil’s health. Join Kevin Allison to learn about soil health, cover crops, and receive free cover crop seeds as you think toward fall.
- Register Here
- Event: Gardening for the Exhausted
- Date & Time: Tuesday, September 01, 10:30am
- Location: Irvington Branch
- Description: Somewhere along the way, gardening became another exhausting performance review. Join beloved garden expert Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp to look at the tricks that can make gardening less exhausting and more enjoyable.
- Register Here
- Event: Teen Gardening 101
- Date & Time: Tuesday, September 01, 3:00pm
- Location: East Washington Branch
- Description: Learn easy gardening basics like planting, soil, and plant care, plus simple hacks for creating your own garden at home, whether you’ve got a backyard, balcony, or just a sunny windowsill.
- Register Here
- Event: Seed Library Support at Wayne
- Date & Time: Wednesday, September 02, 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: Teen Gardening 101
- Date & Time: Thursday, September 03, 4:00pm
- Location: East 38th Street Branch
- Description: Learn easy gardening basics like planting, soil, and plant care, plus simple hacks for creating your own garden at home, whether you’ve got a backyard, balcony, or just a sunny windowsill.
- Register Here
- Event: Growing Flower Bulbs Indoors
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 05, 10:30am
- Location: Lawrence Branch
- Description: Have you ever seen those flower bulbs in containers at the store and wished you could grow your own? Join Amy Mullen to learn how to “force bulbs”. Learn hands-on at this workshop! You’ll leave with your own bulbs to grow at home – and plans (and time) to create holiday gifts for everyone!
- 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
Email Newsletter
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Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch, and listen on a PC, tablet, or phone.