Seed Library Welcome
The O'Fallon Public Library Seed Library is a donation-based free seed library. Our seeds are open-pollinated. These seeds are free to any member of our community. You do not need a library card. Please only take what you need and return any seed packets you do not use. We ask that households limit themselves to one seed packet per plant.
Seeds are sorted in our catalog into three categories: herbs, fruits and vegetables, and ornamentals. In each of these categories, seeds have been placed into four sub-categories: super easy, easy, medium, and experienced. These groups are based on how the plants grow from seeds and how much work is needed to collect seeds for future growing seasons.
Each seed packet will have planting and harvesting instructions, including information on how to save seeds. If you lose the packet before harvest, you can also find that information in our Garden Guides (click the link under Resources or check out the Seed Library Binder in-person). By saving and returning some of your seeds -- and keeping the rest for your own garden! -- we help our community build a strong local seed stock.
The Seed Library is a collaborative project, made possible by the contributions of the O'Fallon Gardening Club and generous patrons.
Seed Library Resources
For detailed growing information, including seed saving tips, check out our Gardener's Guides here.
For information on the O'Fallon Garden Club, including the O'Fallon Community Garden, special events, regularly meetings, volunteer opportunities, local gardening tips, and more, check out their website.
For online resources about Illinois native plants, including planting guides, butterfly gardens, prairie landscaping, landscaping for wildlife, and identifying native plants, check out the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' website. They also have extensive information on combating invasive species.
Seed Library FAQ
Who can check out seeds?
The O'Fallon Public Library's Seed Library is a free resource for the community. Anyone may check out seed packets. You do not need a library card.
Are there fines if I don't save seeds?
No, there are no fines, but returning seeds helps us keep the Seed Library open.
How many seed packets can I take home?
We ask that households limit themselves to one seed packet per plant. For example, one packet of golden beets (veggie), one packet of arugula (veggie), and one packet of sweet basil (herb).
Can I donate seeds I have already saved?
Yes! Drop off open-pollinated and/or heirloom seeds, labelled with the name, year harvested, and growing tips, at the circulation help desk any time we are open.
What are heirloom seeds? What about open-pollinated seeds? Why don't you take or share hybrids?
Open-pollinated seeds are any non-hybrid seeds that are pollinated by insects, birds, wind, humans, or any other natural means. Open-pollinated plants are more genetically diverse. If several generations of open-pollinated plants are raised in the same area, the plants will adapt to the local climate and growing conditions. By saving and sowing open-pollinated seeds raised here in O'Fallon, we are creating crops that are uniquely equipped to thrive in our community.
Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated seeds with a documented generational history. There are many different ways to establish how many generations or what kind of documentation makes a plant heirloom: some companies call open-pollinated varieties over 50 years old heirlooms, some organizations prefer to verify generational history. Either kind of heirloom seed is welcome.
Hybrid seeds come from intentionally cross-pollinated plants. Hybrid plants have many excellent advantages: they often grow vigorously, produce higher yields, and are selected for specific traits. Unfortunately, hybrid plants produce seeds are not true-to-type. The seeds from the first generation of hybrid plants exhibit vast differences and are often much less hardy than their hybrid parents. Hybrid seeds can be stabilized, but this takes many years of open-pollination. Typically, gardeners who grow hybrids will need to buy new seeds every year.
While we recognize and appreciate the versatility of hybrid seeds, because we interested in creating seeds that have adapted to our area, we are not collecting or distributing hybrid seeds.
Are the seeds at the Seed Library organic?
We cannot guarantee that any of the seeds at the Seed Library are organic, but if you are interested in organic gardening, please check out our catalog.
Can I view the seed catalog online? I want to know what seeds you have.
Unfortunately, no. If you would like to browse our seed collection, please come by any time we are open.