
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, May 09, 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, resources–like our Seed Library–and connections with other gardeners.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Seed Library Support – Southport
- Date & Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2:00pm
- 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: West Perry Gardening Group
- Date & Time: Friday, May 16, 10:15am
- Rescheduled Date & Time: Friday, May 09, 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, resources–like our Seed Library–and connections with other gardeners.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Get Growing!
- Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
- Location: Glendale Branch
- Description: It’s time to put those seeds in your garden! If you don’t have a plan yet, let’s make one! Learn what you can start from seed and what should be transplanted. We’ll also talk about pest and disease control methods. Many of them don’t require pesticides!
- Register Here
- Event: Container Gardening
- Date & Time: Tuesday, May 27, 6:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- 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 Gardeners to learn about growing in containers.
- Register Here
- Event: Garden Pests & Diseases
- Date & Time: Tuesday, June 03, 6:30pm
- Location: Michigan Road Branch
- Description: Join Master Gardeners to learn about the things that annoy and bother your garden (and the things you don’t need to worry about).
- 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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