IndyPL’s Seed Library Program Continues to Grow

The seed library, a program that allows patrons to check out and take home a large variety of free vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, returns to several Indianapolis Public Library locations on March 21, 2022.

This year, the program has expanded to four new branches and includes a core collection of seeds designed to address issues of food equity while being inclusive of diverse diets and cooking styles.

“A lot of patrons don’t know that they can use their IndyPL library card to checkout free seeds and try growing their own food,” said Melissa Wooton, IndyPL’s adult services manager. “The seed collection varies a bit by location, but our core collection will be available at any branch you visit while supplies last.”

Wooton helped launch the first seed library at the Glendale Branch in 2014. Today, the program has expanded to seventeen locations with dozens of options including flowers, herbs, and vegetables.

You can check out seeds at Beech Grove, College Avenue, Decatur, East 38th Street, Garfield Park, Glendale, Haughville, Lawrence, Nora, Pike, Southport, Spades Park, West Perry, Franklin Road, Outreach, Wayne, and West Indianapolis.

Converting seeds from bulk orders to small seed packets couldn’t have been completed without the assistance of over 155 community volunteers from corporations such as Corteva, Salesforce, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, and Clif Bar Baking Company, civic groups like Downtown Indy Rotary Club, Butler Alpha Phi Omega, and AmeriCorps RSVP, and an army of Master Gardeners from Purdue Extension.

For more information on the seed library, stop by your nearest branch or visit here.

IndyPL’s Seed Library 2022 Core Collection:

Flowers

Coneflowers

Marigold, Brocade Mix

Milkweed

Nasturtium

Sunflower, Sunseed

Herbs

Basil, Genovese

Basil, Thai

Cilantro, Calypso

Dill, Dukat

Garlic Chives, Chinese Leeks

Oregano

Sage

Vegetables

Beans, Green, Bush Provider

Beans, Green, Pole

Carrots, Scarlet Nantes

Collard Greens

Cucumber, General Lee

Lettuce, Leaf, Allstar Gourmet

Lettuce

Kale, Red Russian

Pea, Bistro

Peas, Oregon Sugar Pod

Peppers, Jalapeno, Traveler Strain

Peppers, Sweet Bell, Calif Wonder

Pumpkin, New England Pie

Radish, French Breakfast

Spinach, American

Squash, Butternut, Waltham

Squash, Zucchini, Dunja

Swiss Chard

Tomato, Heirloom

Tomato, Matt's Wild Cherry