Seed Library

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The Seed Library will be available at the Main Library beginning March 1, 2025.

The Seed Library is now closed for the season. Watch for it to return in spring of 2026.

The Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds (vegetables, herbs, and flowers) that any resident of Hamilton County with a library card may "check out" to plant at home. The Seed Library is located on the second floor of the Main Library near the adult new books. Hamilton County library cardholders are welcome to take up to 15 seed packets per season to plant in their home gardens.

The Seed Library is a partnership between the Hamilton County Master Gardeners Association and the Carmel Clay Public Library.

For guidance on what to plant when, take a look at this guide from the Purdue Extension.

The Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds (vegetables, herbs, and flowers) that any resident of Hamilton County with a library card may "check out" to plant at home. It is a partnership between the Hamilton County Master Gardeners Association and the Carmel Clay Public Library.

For guidance on what to plant when, take a look at this guide from the Purdue Extension.

New in 2023 – Golden Shovel Awards

If your garden contains seeds from the CCPL Seed Library that were planted in 2023, you're eligible to take part in the Golden Shovel Awards. Awards will be given for Best Vegetable Garden, Best Flower Garden, Best Container Garden, and Most Enormous Vegetable. To enter, simply email a photo of your garden looking its best—along with your name and the category you're entering—to seedlibrary@carmelclaylibrary.org. You may submit up to one entry per category. The winner will receive a gift basket of garden goodies—and a Golden Shovel Award!

There is no age limit for this contest. Photo submissions must be received by October 31, 2023.