Spring is here, and that means it’s also Seed Library season at the Rock Island Public Library. The free selection of seed packets helps local gardeners grow fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers for personal consumption and enjoyment.
Spring is here, and that means it’s also Seed Library season at the Rock Island Public Library. The free selection of seed packets is available now to help local gardeners try new varieties, and grow fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers for personal consumption and enjoyment.
The Seed Library is a free collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds available for browsing and pickup at the Rock Island Public Library’s Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. The seeds are free, open to anyone, and no library card is required. Each household can pick up five free seed packets per month during regular Downtown Library hours of 10 am to 6pm Monday-Friday, and 10 am to 2pm on Saturdays. The Seed Library is available during the local growing season, or while supplies last. Supplies of specific varieties or types are not guaranteed.
In addition to the joy of producing your own food and flowers, growing different types of plants helps preserve genetic diversity, pollination, and local food sources.
Rock Island and Milan-area households may request seeds by mail by using the online form on the RIPL website to choose one of four preselected garden bundles. Each bundle contains a varied selection of 5 vegetables, flowers, fruits, herbs, or mixed seed packets. The library will mail one bundle of seeds to addresses in its service area of Rock Island and the Milan-Blackhawk Public Library District.
To order for mail delivery, visit "Seed Library" under the Services menu at at the library website. Mail ordering is not available to residents of other cities.
Though seed saving is not required, the library welcomes donations of seeds. For further questions, please contact the library or call 309-732-7342.
The Rock Island Library also maintains an Illinois Growing Guide with instructions for every seed offered in the Seed Library. The resource is available in a binder next to the Seed Library or online.
For more educational and enrichment services from your local library, please visit the library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow library email newsletters and social media accounts.