The Indianapolis Public Library Seed Library service makes free seeds available for pick-up at all branch locations each growing season. In addition to free seeds, check out resources and attend workshops about growing and using plants from your seeds!
Seeds Available: March - September
Limit: 1 packet of each type of seed per household
For a full calendar listing of our gardening programs and many resources targeted to successful local gardening in Indianapolis, see our Gardening blog post.
Made possible by Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.
Seed Packet Art Contest
Calling artists of all ages! Submit your artwork to be considered for next year's seed packets. All kinds of images are welcome - photos of plants, artwork, photos of food, or scans of paintings or illustrations are all great ideas!
Final artwork will be 1 inch wide and 1.5 inches tall.
Artwork will be used to decorate 2025 seed packets and may also be used for other purposes.
- Entrants must be aged 13 years or older.
- One entry per person.
- Upload an image to this online form.
- Deadline: September 30, 2024.
Available seeds while supplies last:
Flowers
Coneflower
Marigold
Milkweed
Nasturtium
Sunflower
Yarrow
Zinnia
Specialty (limited)
Butternut Squash
Callaloo
Cover Crop - Crimson Clover
Cover Crop - Spring Oats
Culantro
Epazote
Four O’Clock
Green Beans - Pole
Lettuce - Romaine
Mexican Sunflower
Okra
Oregano
Roselle (Sour Leaf)
Swiss Chard
Tomatillo
Turnip
Wildflower Mix - Indiana
Herbs
Basil - Genovese
Basil - Thai
Cilantro
Dill
Garlic Chives
Mexican Mint Marigold
Parsley
Thyme
Vegetables
Black Beans
Carrots
Collard Greens
Cucumbers
Green Beans - Bush
Lettuce - Leaf
Kale
Peas - Snow
Peppers - Jalapeño
Peppers - Sweet Bell
Pumpkins
Radishes
Spinach
Tomatoes - Cherry
Tomatoes - Slicing
Zucchini
Book Lists & Resources
Adults
- Plantable Paper and Other Fun Seedy-ness
- Botanical and Herb Garden Creations
- Eating the Season
- Edible Flowers
- Flower Gardening in Indiana
- Flower Gardening with a Plan
- Free Gardening Docs from Purdue
- Garden Pest Management
- Garden Photography
- Gardening e-Books
- Gardening in an Apartment (or other small space!)
- Grow Food, Not Lawns
- Growing Fruit in the City
- Indoor Kitchen Gardens
- Not e-Books...other Digital Gardening Resources
- Plant Buddies
- A Rose is Rose is a Rose
- Soil Health
Adult Fiction
Kids
- Cloistered Gardening for Kiddos
- Gardening for Kids
- How Does Your Garden Grow
- Let it Grow! Springtime Flowers and Gardens
- Little Indoor Gardens for Kids - Terrariums & the Hydrologic Cycle
- Plants for Kids - Experiments and Activities for Backyard Botanists
- Seeds and Sprouts
- Seeds to Grow
Resources
- DIY Online Storytime: Read Right Now! Gardening
Making a connection between gardening and food is an important skill for small children. Where does food come from BEFORE it is in the grocery store? We can help you get started learning about where food comes from!
