Seed Library

A sunflower with a gold and black Seed Library logo.

Visit Our Seed Library

The WCDPL Seed Library is a self-service collection of seeds that you can donate to or take from for your plant-growing and gardening needs. Our Seed Library encourages gardeners of all ages to explore new plants and gardening techniques while providing a free way to start your own garden or share seeds with the community.

You're invited to donate your own seeds by visiting the Seed Library card catalogue by the elevator at the Bowling Green Library. To donate seeds, you can place them in the box labeled donations. To take seeds, simply look through the catalog to see what you would like to grow and take whatever seeds you like home.

Have questions about our Seed Library? Contact Information Services at (419) 352-5050 or email woodref@wcdpl.org.

Looking for gardening inspiration? Check out our recommended reads and resources below and get to planting.

Flower Gardening:

Container Theme Gardens by Nancy J. Ondra.

Perennials for Midwestern Gardens by Anthony W. Kahtz.

Roses without Chemicals by Peter Kukieslski.

Plantiful: Start Small, Grow Big with 150 Plants that Spread, Self-Sow, and Overwinter by Kristin Green.

Floret Farm's Discovering Dahlias: A Guide to Growing and Arranging Magnificent Blooms by Erin Benzakein.

Pollinator Friendly Gardening: Gardening for Bees, Butterflies, and Other Pollinators by Rhonda Fleming Hayes.

Martha's Flowers: Growing and Arranging My Favorite Blooms by Martha Stewart.

Growing Flowers: Everything You Need to Know About Planting, Tending, Harvesting and Arranging Beautiful Blooms by Niki Irving.

The Cutting Garden: Growing and Arranging Garden Flowers by Sarah Raven.

Tabletop Gardening:

Miniature Gardens: Design and Create Miniature Fairy Gardens, Dish Gardens, Terrariums and More - Indoors and Out by Katie Elzer-Peters.

Living Wreaths: 20 Beautiful Projects for Gift and Decor by Natalie Bernhisel Robinson.

Big Ideas for Small Spaces: Creative Ideas and 30 Projects for balconies, Roof Gardens, Windowsills and Terraces by Key Maguire & Tony Woods.

Cacti and Succulents Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of More Than 140 Common Species and Varieties by Gideon F. Smith.

The Book of Little Hostas: 200 Small, Very Small, and Mini Varieties by Kathy Guest Shadrack and Michael Shadrack.

Container Theme Gardens: 42 Combinations, Each Using 5 Perfectly Matched Plants by Nancy J. Ondra.

Tiny World Terrariums: A Step-by-Step Guide by Michelle Inciarrano & Katy Maslow.

Terrariums - Gardens Under Glass: Designing, Creating, and Planting Modern Indoor Gardens by Maria Colletti.

Succulents and All things Under Glass: Ideas and inspiration for indoor gardens by Isabelle Palmer.

Crazy About Cacti and Succulents (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)

The Horticulture Gardener's Guides - Pants for Small Spaces by Clive Lane.

Teeny Tiny Gardening: 35 step-by-step projects and inspirational ideas for gardening in tiny spaces by Emma Hardy.

Balcony & Container Plants by Joachim Mayer.

The Gardening in Miniature Prop Shop: Handmade Accessories for Your Tiny Living World by Janit Calvo.

The Wreath Recipe Book: Year-Round Wreaths, Swags, and Other Decorations to Make with Seasonal Branches by Alethea Harampolis.

Edible Gardening:

Plant Care and Arrangement:

Using the Seed Library

Choose the seeds you would like to grow.
Take the envelope(s) with your desired seeds from the cabinet.
Take the seeds home, plant them, and enjoy your new garden!

If you are interested in donating some seeds:

Packages of seeds can be donated by placing them in the seed donation box next to the seed library. *Harvest seeds from a selection of your healthiest plants and bring them in.
If you have any questions, stop by the second floor information desk.

*For more on growing for and harvesting healthy seeds, see A Seed Saving Guide for Gardeners and Farmers from the Seed Alliance.