Pick Up Free Seeds for Your Garden from Eight Madison Public Library Locations Beginning Today!

MADISON, WI -- Madison Public Library’s popular Garden Seed Giveaway begins today on Thursday, March 6 at eight library locations. All libraries (with the exception of Central Library) will offer a variety of flower, herb, and produce seeds for visitors, free of charge. 

“We begin giving away seeds in March so that growers have eight weeks before the last frost to start preparing their gardens and starting some of the earlier plants indoors prior to transplanting them outdoors,” said Hannah Majeska, one of the Community Engagement Librarians who has been integral in the continued success of the program. “We want to see these seeds succeed, so we’re trying to be mindful of the various growing seasons for the wide variety of plants we’re offering.”

In 2025, approximately 50 different species of seeds will be available and each year librarians modify their ordering based on both public feedback and observation. For instance, flowers and herbs have been consistently popular across locations, and so there will be more of each offered this year at each location. 

The Seed Library first came to Madison Public Library as part of a larger county-wide initiative in 2014. After the initial grant funding ran out for the county-based program, Madison Public Library continued to fund it through the Friends of Madison Public Library and Madison Public Library Foundation. Over the past eleven years, the number and variety of seeds has grown, as well as the number of locations offering this service. 

“Last year we gave away more than 46,000 individual seed packets, which was more than double what we had distributed in 2023,” said Majeska. “Part of that is because we added Monroe Street, Hawthorne, and Alicia Ashman Libraries as additional locations where people can pick up seeds, but we’ve also continued to see a steadily increasing demand from the community.” 

The community has also shown its support for the Seed Library through volunteering. The library began offering volunteer seed packaging events two years ago and they have become an annual tradition where community members gather to package the seeds from bulk, talk about gardening with their neighbors and library staff, and prepare for the upcoming growing season.

Visitors can stop into participating libraries to pick up seeds while supplies last at each location. Each seed packet contains 10-15 seeds apiece and can be put to use in a home garden or in a community garden plot around town. Library staff encourage visitors to take as many seeds as they plan to use, and a library card isn’t required to enjoy the Seed Library. However, once seeds are gone, they won’t be restocked until next winter when the library transitions its collection to feature native Wisconsin plant seeds. 

The Seed Library has been a source of inspiration for library staff over the years, as well, prompting them to create gardening book lists and programs to accompany the seed collection. The goal is to do more than just provide seeds, but to also support the community in their gardening journeys. 

“The seed library is important for a number of reasons. The ability to grow one's own food -- whether in garden beds or containers -- promotes food security. Eating fresh vegetables and fruits supports physical health. Gardening is also a mindful activity that encourages folks to get outdoors and connect with nature, which benefits mental wellbeing,” said Majeska. 

Free seeds are available at the following libraries: 

• Alicia Ashman Library [733 N. High Point Rd]
• Goodman South Library [2222 S. Park St]
• Hawthorne Library [2707 E Washington Ave]
• Lakeview Library [2845 N. Sherman Ave]
• Meadowridge Library [5726 Raymond Rd]
• Monroe Street Library [1705 Monroe Street]
• Pinney Library [516 Cottage Grove Rd]
• Sequoya Library [4340 Tokay Blvd]

Learn more about Madison Public Library’s Seed Library and see opportunities to volunteer at madpl.org/seedlibrary. 

About Madison Public Library

Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy, and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for 150 years.  Visit the library online at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org and @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.