How It Works
Take a look at the Seed Library Catalog. Each listing includes photos and descriptions of plant varieties, along with helpful details on when, where, and how to plant them. Seed packet quantities range from 2 to 20 seeds, depending on the plant type.
Visit the Adult Services desk at the Main Library on Harnish Drive to explore our Seed Library collection in person, and take up to 20 packets/household, one per variety.
What Seeds Are Available?
Choose from over 130 varieties of vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seeds! Options include:
- Vegetables - Cucumbers, lettuce, onions, squash, tomatoes
- Herbs- Basil, chives, cilantro, parsley, thyme and more
- Garden Favorites- Carrots, beans, leeks, melons and cauliflower
- Flowers and Landscaping- Daisies, zinnias, sunflowers
- Annuals & Perennials- Plants that bloom for a season, or return each year
Do I Have To Return The Seeds?
Although we call it a "Seed Library," no library card is required and you don't need to return seeds from your harvest. However, we'd love to see photos of your garden and crops! Email them to us at info@aapld.org
If you have leftover seeds, simply store them in their packets in an airtight glass jar, and keep it in a cool dark place like your basement or garage, for future planting.
While we love the name "Seed Library," it's not a library in the traditional sense. You don't need a library card, nor do you have to return seeds from your personal harvest-- though if you want to send a photo of your garden, or your harvest, we'd love to post it! If you can't use all your seeds this year, no problem! Store unused seeds in their packets in an airtight glass jar, and keep it in a cool dark place like your basement or garage, until you're ready to plant.
Stop by the Adult Services desk at the Main Library on Harnish Drive to browse our Seed Library catalog, or check it out 
Choose from over 130 varieties of vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seeds. You'll find heirloom vegetables, such as the Oxheart and Mortgage Lifter tomatoes, Dixie Queen watermelons and White Icicle radishes. Favorites like pumpkins, mixed color carrots, and various types of green beans can turn this summer's garden into a family project. Brighten your landscaping with colorful Painted Daisies, and the beautiful, exotic Passion Flower. Add color to your home with classic cutting flowers like zinnia and sunflowers. Select annuals, which are planted each year, or perennials which return year after year.
I used a good quality potting mix that's made specifically for starting seeds. This one is very lightweight, and contains a mix of peat moss, vermiculite and organic plant food.
After pouring the mix into a wheelbarrow, I added water until the soil was the consistency of crumbly brownie mix. An old Little Tikes garden trowel was perfect for mixing and scooping the potting mix.
After punching drainage holes in the bottom of the egg cartons, I added potting mix, gently tamping it down into the cups to reduce air pockets, and give the seeds a warm, damp place to sprout.
Now the fun part! I opened each Seed Library packet and carefully poured the seeds into a small container. Since some of the seeds I selected are tiny, this made it easier not to lose them! Then I labeled the cartons for each seed variety, and used the labeling sticks to create a small hole for each seed. While I didn't know the preferred planting depth for every variety, I'd read that 1/4" to 1/2" is a good depth to use for most plants.
With all the seeds planted, I lightly watered once more, before covering the planting tray to trap the humidity. The soil needs to be kept at 60-70 degrees, so I have a warming mat underneath the planting tray to keep the seeds warm. The potting mix needs to be damp but not soggy, so I'll check it each day and water as needed.
Giant delphinium
We’ll plant our Seed Library sunflowers on the east side of our house, where they’ll get lots of morning sun. With luck, they’ll be tall enough to see from inside the front porch.
And unrelated to the Seed Library, but still pretty cool, our lilac bush has buds!
Algonquin Area Public Library, in cooperation with the University of Illinois Agricultural Extension, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois Master Gardeners of McHenry County, is excited to introduce the Seed Library-- a community resource that provides seeds to local gardeners free of charge!
We're currently offering over 75 varieties of vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seeds. Choose annuals, which are planted each year, or perennials, which return year after year. You'll find heirloom vegetables, such as the Oxheart and Mortgage Lifter tomatoes, Dixie Queen watermelons and White Icicle radishes. Favorites like pumpkins, mixed color carrots, and various types of green beans can turn this summer's garden into a family project. Brighten your landscaping with colorful Four O'Clocks, and the beautiful, exotic Passion Flower. Add color to your home with classic cutting flowers like zinnia and sunflowers.
While we love the name "Seed Library," it's not a library in the traditional sense. You don't need a library card, nor do you have to return seeds from your personal harvest-- though if you want to send a photo of your garden, or your harvest, we'd love to post it! If you can't use all your seeds this year, no problem! Store unused seeds in their packets in an airtight glass jar, and keep it in a cool dark place like your basement or garage, until you're ready to plant.