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: Pike Gardening Group
- Date & Time: Tuesday, June 16, 6:00pm
- Location: Pike 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. Lead by a librarian/master gardener.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Seed Library Support at Wayne
- Date & Time: Wednesday, June 17, 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: Get Dirty with Solful Gardens (Gardening 101: Getting Started this Summer)
- Date & Time: Wednesday, June 17, 4:00pm
- Location: Martindale-Brightwood Branch
- Description: Join Dr. Jarrod Dortch of Solful Gardens to get ready to “play” in your garden! Today’s main topic is basic tools, soil, sunlight, watering, what to plant in June, and how to start even without much experience.
- Register Here
- Event: Succession Planting, Seed Saving
- Date & Time: Saturday, June 20, 1:00pm
- Location: Glendale Branch
- Description: Make the most of the gardening season with successive crops. This keeps the fresh produce on the table longer and may make some of your gardening easier. You’ll get a link to a spreadsheet to make it all easier.
- Register Here
- Event: Succession Planting with Seed Storage Boxes
- Date & Time: Saturday, June 20, 1:00pm
- Location: College Avenue 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: Seed Library Support at Irvington
- Date & Time: Tuesday, June 23, 10:30am
- Location: Irvington 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
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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