"To plant a garden is to dream of tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn
Get started on your own backyard garden with a little help from the library! As part of our Library of Things, you can learn gardening basics and healthy living by starting a small backyard garden. Try your hand at growing various vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, all of which can be grown in Louisiana.
The Seed Library is a collection of complimentary seeds that library cardholders can pick up from all locations during the two growing seasons: spring/summer and fall/winter.
Visit us or call one of our locations for information on the types of seeds available during the current growing season.
How the Seed Library Works:
- Each library cardholder may have up to 10 seed packets per growing season, while supplies last.
- Each seed packet contains enough seeds for 3 to 5 plants. Since all seeds will not germinate, there will be more than 3 to 5 seeds in each envelope.
- Seeds can be picked up from all locations.
- Seeds cannot be placed on hold, reserved, or sent to other locations.
- Seed availability will vary.
- Seeds do not need to be returned.
- We are not currently accepting seed donations.
Need Help? Check out these planting guides from the LSU Ag Center.
We are also proud to partner with the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) to bring a native seed library to the Donaldsonville location! Stop by the Donaldsonville library, select 1-3 packets of native seeds, and take them home to plant!
Why Native Seeds?
Native pollinators—including local bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—are essential to healthy ecosystems and food systems, but habitat loss has significantly reduced their natural food sources and nesting areas. You don’t need acres of land to make a real difference! By planting native species in your own backyard, garden beds, or porch containers, you create vital stopovers and sanctuaries for wildlife right in your neighborhood.
About BTNEP
The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) works to preserve, restore, and protect the 4.2-million-acre estuarine complex between the Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers. While pollinator conservation and native plant propagation are a part of BTNEP’s work, they are just one part of a broader mission. BTNEP also leads critical initiatives in coastal wetland and ridge restoration, water quality improvement, wildlife conservation, invasive species management, and community environmental education.
Through this seed library partnership, BTNEP provides free, locally appropriate native seed packets so you can actively participate in habitat restoration at home.