Seed Library

A seed library operates like a traditional library but instead of borrowing books to read, you borrow seeds to grow in your garden. People of all gardening levels are welcome to borrow seeds.

How it works

  • The Seed Library is located in the AV area on the main floor.
  • Fill out a form, mark the seeds you are taking, and how many of each type.
  • Plant the seeds in your garden, as instructed. Maintain plants during growing season.
  • Harvest and return seeds when growing season is over (optional).


Click on a plant name below to view more information.

Vegetables (Available April 1, 2025)

bowl full of green Brussels Sprouts with a few on a cutting board

Sow Method: Direct, sow seeds 1/4" deep
Days to Maturity: 90
Water: 1-1.5 inches/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 24 inches
Spacing: 2 inches

 

More Information

stack of bush beans on a wood surface with white flowers in the background

Sow Method: Direct, cover with 1" fine soil
Days to Maturity: 50 
Water: 1 inch/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 12-18 inches 
Spacing: 3 inches

More Information

a group of red, orange, white, and yellow carrots lined up

Sow Method: Direct, cover with fine soil
Days to Maturity: 75-80
Water: 1 inch/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4-8 inches
Spacing: 1 inch

More Information

two whole cucumbers propped up on a glass jar with sliced cucumbers in it another whole cucumber laying beside the jar

Sow Method: Direct, cover with 1" fine soil
Days to Maturity: 50-55
Water: 1-2 inches/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 12-15 inches 
Spacing: 3 inches

More Information

hands holding a wooden bowl with red and green peppers in it

Sow Method: Transplant, sow seed 1/4" deep
Days to Maturity: 75
Water: 1-2 inches/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 18-24 inches
Spacing: 18 inches

More Information

Resources

Seed source (burpee.com)

Starting a Garden: Warm Season Vegetables

Growing Vegetables

Illinois Vegetable Planting

Fruits (Available April 1, 2025)

red strawberry on a vine with green leaves in the background

Sow Method: Transplant, sow seed 1/4" deep
Days to Maturity: 1 year
Water: 1-2 inches/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 18-24 inches
Spacing: 6-8 inches

More Information

group of watermelons two whole and two sliced so you can see the red inside with seeds

Sow Method: Direct, cover with 1" fine soil 
Days to Maturity: 75
Water: 1-2 inches/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 6-8 feet horizontal
Spacing: 3 inches

More Information

Resources

Seed source (burpee.com)

Growing Backyard Fruits

Herbs (Available April 1, 2025)

green basil leaves up close

Sow Method: Direct, sow seeds 1/4" deep
Days to Maturity: 60-90
Water: 1 inch/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 12-18 inches 
Spacing: 12 inches

More Information

green cilantro in a terracotta pot

Sow Method: Direct, sow seeds 1/4" deep
Days to Maturity: 60-90
Water: 1-2 inches/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 18-24 inches
Spacing: 12 inches

More Information

large lavender plant with green stems and purple, blue flowers

Sow Method: Transplant, gently press into soil
Days to Maturity: 90-200
Water: 1-2 inches/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 12-16 inches
Spacing: 12 inches

More Information

green thyme leaves up close

Sow Method: Transplant, sow seed 1/4" deep
Days to Maturity: 180-200
Water: 1-2 inches/week
Light: Full Sun
Height: 6-12 inches
Spacing: 12 inches

More Information

Resources

Seed source (burpee.com)

Herb information

Native Plants

butterfly on a purple anise hyssop flower with a house in the background and moody skies

Germination Code: C(30)/D

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Medium/Medium-Dry

Bloom Time: June/July/August/September

Bloom Color: Purple

Height: 3 feet

Spacing: 12-16 inches

Seed Life: 3-4yr

 

More information

monarch butterfly on an orange butterfly weed flower

Germination Code: C(30)

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Medium/Medium-Dry/Dry

Bloom Time: June/July/August

Bloom Color: Orange

Height: 2 feet

Spacing: 1-3 feet

Seed Life: 3yr

 

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a group of light pink cupped flowers with green foliage in the background

Germination Code: C(30)/G

Light: Full/Partial/Shade

Soil: Medium-Wet/Medium

Bloom Time: June/July

Bloom Color: Pink

Height: 3 feet

Spacing: 1-2 feet

Seed Life: 5yr

 

More information

bright red flowers with cloudy sky background

Germination Code: C(60)/D

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Wet/Medium-Wet

Bloom Time: July/August/September

Bloom Color: Red

Height: 4 feet

Spacing: 6-16 inches

Seed Life: 3yr

 

More information

clustered poppy mallow flower with large pink petals and yellow centers against a brick backgound

Germination Code: C(60)/B

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Medium/Medium-Dry

Bloom Time: July/August/September

Bloom Color: Pink

Height: 1 foot

Spacing: 18-24 inches

Seed Life: 5yr

 

More information

group of columbine flowers with red exterior and yellow interior petals with tall trees in the background

Germination Code: C(60)/M

Light: Full/Partial/Shade

Soil: Medium/Medium-Dry/Dry

Bloom Time: April/May/June

Bloom Color: Red

Height: 2 feet

Spacing: 10-17 inches

Seed Life: 5yr

 

More information

butterfly on the purple common ironweed flower with blue skies in the background

Germination Code: C(60)

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Medium-Wet/Medium

Bloom Time: July/August/September

Bloom Color: Purple

Height: 6 feet

Spacing: 2-3 feet

Seed Life: 3yr

 

More information

yellow golden alexanders flower in the center of the frame with green foliage around it

Germination Code:C(60)/G/M

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Medium-Wet/Medium/Medium-Dry

Bloom Time: April/May/June

Bloom Color: Yellow

Height: 3 feet

Spacing: 1-2 feet

Seed Life: 5yr

 

More information

group of pinkish purple meadow beauty flowers with green foliage

Germination Code: C(60)/D

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Wet/Medium-Wet

Bloom Time: July/August/September

Bloom Color: Pink

Height: 1 foot

Spacing: 18-24 inches

Seed Life: 3yr

 

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a group of purple new england asters with yellow orange centers and green foliage in the background

Germination Code: C(60)

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Wet/Medium-Wet/Medium/Medium-Dry

Bloom Time: August/September/October

Bloom Color: Purple

Height: 5 feet

Spacing: 2-3 feet

Seed Life: 3yr

 

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a full bush of new jersey tea flowers in the foreground and orange flowers in the background under cloudy skies

Germination Code: C(60)/B

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Medium-Wet/Medium/Medium-Dry

Bloom Time: June/July/August

Bloom Color: White

Height: 3 feet

Spacing: 18-36 inches

Seed Life: 4yr

 

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three monarch butterflies on long yellow showy goldenrod flowers blue skies in the background

Germination Code: C(60)/D

Light: Full/Partial

Soil: Medium/Medium-Dry/Dry

Bloom Time: September/October/November

Bloom Color: Yellow

Height: 5 feet

Spacing: 2-3 feet

Seed Life: 3 yr

 

More information

Resources

Native plants are great of water retention, pollinator friendly, resistant to plant predators, and overall good for the environment.

Seed source (prairiemoon.com)

Germination & Seed Starting Basics

Germinating native seeds

Illinois Native Plant Database

Illinois Master Gardeners Serving Cook County

Seed Saving

Illinois Native Plant Society

Illinois Prairie chapter