What is a seed library?
A seed library is as exactly as it sounds — we “loan” seeds to patrons to grow plants in their home garden.
Why a seed library?
A seed library brings many benefits to our community:
- Encourages patrons to sustainably grow and harvest their own food
- Supports and builds community among fellow gardeners
- Promotes new or reluctant gardeners to try their hand at growing
- Preserves open-pollinated or heirloom seeds
- Encourages patrons to grow and save seeds
Do I Have to Return My Seeds?
You don't have to return seeds from your personal harvest-- though if you want to send a photo of your garden, or your harvest, we'd love to post it! If you can't use all your seeds this year, no problem! Store unused seeds in their packets in an airtight glass jar, and keep it in a cool dark place like your basement or garage, until you're ready to plant. We suggest that you save the packet from your borrowed seeds so that you have all the required information available for the following season. Growing, harvesting, saving, and donating seeds cultivates a culture of sharing throughout our community.
What if I can’t harvest seeds?
There is no penalty for not returning seeds. However, we encourage any patron who borrows seeds to educate themselves on the practice of saving seeds. We do acknowledge that not all seeds will germinate and not all plants will survive.
Can I donate other seeds?
Yes! If you would like to donate seeds, please contact the library. Keep in mind that the Poplar Creek Public Library District only accepts open-pollinated or heirloom seeds for our seed library.
How it Works
- Stop by the Main Library, located at 1405 S. Park Avenue in Streamwood and visit our Seed Library, located in a card catalog in the Reference Department.
- You may borrow up to five packets consisting of no more than three of each variety of seed. Each packet contains enough seeds to grow at least 3 plants. Please note that seeds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- There is no charge for the seed packets.
- Beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and peas are great options for beginners!
What Can I Choose?
Choose from a variety of vegetable, fruit, flower, and herb seeds. Favorites like lettuce, carrots, and beans can turn this summer's garden into a family project.
FAQs
Do I need to have a Poplar Creek Public Library card to use the seed library?
Do I need to have a Poplar Creek Public Library card to use the seed library?
No, the seed library is open to Poplar Creek Public Library cardholders and registered cardholders from area libraries. If your library card isn’t registered with us, please stop by the Access Services desk to register your library card today.
Do we check seeds out?
Do we check seeds out?
Yes, you will select the seed packets you would like to take and see a staff member at the check out desk to assist you.
Do we need to return seeds? What if I can’t harvest seeds?
Do we need to return seeds? What if I can’t harvest seeds?
Returning seeds is not required. We understand that not all seeds will blossom into viable plants. If you are interested in returning seeds, please visit some of our resources below for helpful tips and tricks.
How long are the seed packets available for?
How long are the seed packets available for?
Seed packets are available while supplies last for the season. Check out our seed offerings below.
Do you take seed donations?
Do you take seed donations?
Yes. Drop off seeds at the Main Library and be sure to include all of the details such as how to plant the seeds, the seed type, and anything else to help gardeners successfully grow the seeds.
Where can I plant seeds if I live in an apartment?
Where can I plant seeds if I live in an apartment?
Many of the seeds in our seed library can be grown in containers – check the label to see which seeds are container friendly.
What do the seeds cost?
What do the seeds cost?
All seeds available in our library are free to check out.
Can I recommend a certain type of seed?
Can I recommend a certain type of seed?
Yes! You can submit a purchase request through our website, or speak to a staff member about your recommendation. We cannot guarantee the library will acquire all seeds requested.
How many seeds are in an envelope?
How many seeds are in an envelope?
Each seed envelope will include enough seeds to grow a few plants (2-3) and growing instructions.
How many envelopes can I take?
How many envelopes can I take?
You may borrow up to five packets consisting of no more than two of each variety of seed per day. Please note that seeds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Any further questions?
Any further questions?
For more information or questions, call the Reference desk staff at 331-808-3543 or email us at ref@pclib.org.
Resources
Illinois Master Gardeners Serving Cook County
Illinois Chapter Prairie Wild Ones
2026 Seed Offerings
| Type of Seed | Flower/Fruit/Herb/Vegetable | Card Catalog Drawer Key |
|---|---|---|
| Alyssum, Carpet of Snow | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Aster, Perennial | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Bachelor's Buttons (Blue Boy) | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Bachelor's Buttons (Mixed) | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Balsam, Pink | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Balsam, Hot Pink | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Baptisia/False Indigo | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Bird and Butterfly Mix | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Blackberry Lily | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Butterflyweed | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Coneflower, Pink | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Coreopsis, Sunburst | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Cornflower, Tall Double | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Cosmos, Bright Lights | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Cup Plant | Flower | Flowers A-C |
| Daisy, Painted, Mixed Colors | Flower | Flowers D-F |
| Daisy, Shasta, Silver Princess | Flower | Flowers D-F |
| Globe Amaranth | Flower | Flowers G-I |
| Goldenrod, Zigzag | Flower | Flowers G-I |
| Helichrysum, Tall Double Mixed Colors | Flower | Flowers G-I |
| Hollyhock, Black | Flower | Flowers G-I |
| Honey Bee Mixture | Flower | Flowers G-I |
| Hyacinth Bean | Flower | Flowers G-I |
| Iron Weed | Flower | Flowers G-I |
| Liatris, Blazing Star | Flower | Flowers J-L |
| Liatris, Tall | Flower | Flowers J-L |
| Malva, Mallow | Flower | Flowers M-O |
| Marigold | Flower | Flowers M-O |
| Marigold, Queen Sophia | Flower | Flowers M-O |
| Marigold, Red Marietta | Flower | Flowers M-O |
| Milkweed, Common | Flower | Flowers M-O |
| Milkweed, Swamp | Flower | Flowers M-O |
| Morning Glory, Ipomoea Purpurea | Flower | Flowers M-O |
| Nettleleaf Horsemint | Flower | Flowers M-O |
| Painted Tongue | Flower | Flowers P-Q |
| Poppy, California | Flower | Flowers P-Q |
| Prairie Clover, Purple | Flower | Flowers P-Q |
| Prairie Drop Seed Grass | Flower | Flowers P-Q |
| Prairie, New England Aster | Flower | Flowers P-Q |
| Purple Coneflower | Flower | Flowers P-Q |
| Queen Anne's Lace | Flower | Flowers P-Q |
| Sea Holly, Steel Blue | Flower | Flowers R-S |
| Strawflower, Tall Double Mixed Colors | Flower | Flowers R-S |
| Sunflower, Giant Primrose | Flower | Flowers R-S |
| Sunflower, Irish Eyes | Flower | Flowers R-S |
| Sunflower, Mexican | Flower | Flowers R-S |
| Sunflower, Mix | Flower | Flowers R-S |
| Sunflower, Skyscraper | Flower | Flowers R-S |
| Sunflower, Tall | Flower | Flowers R-S |
| Viola Sororia (Wild) | Flower | Flowers T-X |
| Wildflowers, Sunny Meadow Mixture | Flower | Flowers T-X |
| Zinnia | Flower | Flowers Y-Z |
| Zinnia, Burpeeana Giants, mixed colors | Flower | Flowers Y-Z |
| Zinnia, Heliantheae | Flower | Flowers Y-Z |
| Zinnia, Isabellina | Flower | Flowers Y-Z |
| Zinnia, Giant Flowered | Flower | Flowers Y-Z |
| Zinnia, Luminosa | Flower | Flowers Y-Z |
| Zinnia, Tall State Fair | Flower | Flowers Y-Z |
| Zinnia, Whirligig Mix | Flower | Flowers Y-Z |
| Dwarf Serviceberry | Fruit | Fruit A-C |
| Cantaloupe, Burpee's Ambrosia Hybrid | Fruit | Fruit A-C |
| Cantaloupe, Hale's Best Jumbo | Fruit | Fruit A-C |
| Melon, Boule d'Or | Fruit | Fruit M-O |
| Melon, Juane Canary | Fruit | Fruit M-O |
| Strawberry, Mignonette | Fruit | Fruit R-S |
| Sunberry (Organic) | Fruit | Fruit R-S |
| Watermelon, Bush Sugar Baby | Fruit | Fruit T-Z |
| Watermelon, Crimson Sweet | Fruit | Fruit T-Z |
| Watermelon, Moon & Stars (Van Doren) | Fruit | Fruit T-Z |
| Watermelon, Blacktail Mountain (Organic) | Fruit | Fruit T-Z |
| Basil, Dark Opal (Organic) | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Basil, Genovese (Organic) | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Basil, Greek | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Basil, Isle of Naxos | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Basil, Large Leaf (Organic) | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Basil, Thai (Organic) | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Chives Organic | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Chives, Garlic | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Cilantro | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Cilantro (Coriander) | Herb | Herbs A-C |
| Dill | Herb | Herb D-F |
| Dill, Anethum Graveolens | Herb | Herb D-F |
| Feverfew | Herb | Herbs D-F |
| Hyssop | Herb | Herbs G-I |
| Lavender, English | Herb | Herbs J-L |
| Lavender, English True | Herb | Herbs J-L |
| Lavender, Hyssop | Herb | Herbs J-L |
| Lavender, Lavender Lady | Herb | Herbs J-L |
| Lavender, Munstead | Herb | Herbs J-L |
| Lemon Balm | Herb | Herbs J-L |
| Oregano (Organic) | Herb | Herbs M-O |
| Parsely, Giant from Italy | Herb | Herbs P-Q |
| Parsely, Italian Flat Leaved | Herb | Herbs P-Q |
| Sage, Garden | Herb | Herbs R-S |
| Salvia, Purple Volcano | Herb | Herbs R-S |
| Thyme, Common | Herb | Herbs T-V |
| Yarrow + Chaff | Herb | Herbs W-Z |
| Arugula | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Asparagus, Mary Washington | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Bean, Ideal Market | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Bean, Pencil Pod Golden Wax | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Beet, Bull's Blood (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Beet, Chioggia | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Beet, Chioggia Guardsmark | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Beet, Detroit Dark Red | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Beets, Red Ace | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Bok Choy, Purple Lady | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Broccoli, Calabrese | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Broccoli, Romanesco | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Brussels Sprouts, Long Island Improved | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cabbage, Early Jersey Wakefield | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cabbage, Golden Acre | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Carrot, Danvers | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Carrot, Parisian | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Carrot, Red Cored Chantenay | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cauliflower, Di Sicilia Violetto | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cauliflower, Green Macerata | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cauliflower, Rober | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Celery, Chinese White | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Celery, Tall Utah | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Celery, Utah | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Collards, Ellen Felton Dark | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Collards, Georgia Southern | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Collards, Vates | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Corn, Glass Gem | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cucumber, Double Yield (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cucumber, Early Fortune (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cucumber, Garden Sweet Burpless Hybrid | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cucumber, Spacemaster | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cucumber, Straight Eight | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cucumber, Straight Eight (Heirloom) | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Cucumber, Suyo Long | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Eggplant, Casper | Vegetable | Vegetables D-F |
| Eggplant, Listada de Gandia | Vegetable | Vegetables D-F |
| Eggplant, Rosa Bianca | Vegetable | Vegetables D-F |
| Endive, Tres Fine Maraichere | Vegetable | Vegetables D-F |
| Beans, Green, Mascotte Snap | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Kale, Dwarf Blue Curled | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Kale, Green Peace (organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Leek, Prizetaker | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Lettuce, All the Year Round | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Lettuce, Black Seeded Simpson | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Lettuce, Little Gem | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Lettuce, Lolla Rosa | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Lettuce, Red Romaine | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Lettuce, SSE Lettuce Mixture | Vegetable | Vegetables J-L |
| Bean, Lima, German Butterbean | Vegetable | Vegetables A-C |
| Melon, Boule d'Or | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Melon, Juane Canary | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Onion, Ailsa Craig | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Onion, Bunching Heshiko | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Onion, Bunching Scarlet Bandit | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Onion, Red Wethersfield | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Onion, Ringmaster | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Onion, Ruby Red | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Onion, Walla Walla | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Onion, Yellow of Parma | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Orach, Backlund Bly | Vegetable | Vegetables M-O |
| Pea, Black Eyed Cowpeas | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pea, Garden Desiree | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pea, Garden Telephone | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pea, Green Beauty | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pea, Snow Max | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Aji Fantasy | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Beaver Dam | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Calabrian Caviar | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Cayenne Long Slim Red | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Cyklon (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Green Jalapeno | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Hot Habanero | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Joe's Long Cayenne | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, King of the North | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, King of the North (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Lemondrop Hot Pepper | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Mammoth Jalapeno | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Nadapeno | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Poblano | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Purple UFO | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Red Habanero | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Red Leysha | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Serrano Chili | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pepper, Sweet (Carnival Blend)(Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Pumpkin, Jack-o-Lantern | Vegetable | Vegetables P-Q |
| Radicchio Chicory, Palla Rossa | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Radish, Early Scarlet Globe | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Radish, French Breakfast | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Radish, Pink Lady Slipper | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Radish, Watermelon | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Spinach, Bloomsdale (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Squash, Acorn | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Squash, Black Beauty Zucchini | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Squash, Early Prolific Straightneck | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Squash, Summer Crookneck (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Swiss Chard, Mixed Colors | Vegetable | Vegetables R-S |
| Tat Soi, Black Knight | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomatillo, Green Husk | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomatillo, Green Husk (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Beefsteak | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Egg Yolk Cherry | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Honey Delight Hybrid | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Igleheart Yellow Cherry (Organic) | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Legacy Hybrid | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Moneymaker Heirloom | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Purple Cherokee | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Rutgers (Heirloom) | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, San Marzano (Organic)(Heirloom) | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Super Sauce | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Super Sweet Hybrid | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Tomato, Window Box Yellow | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Turnip, Purple Top White Globe | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Turnip, Seven Top | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Turnip, Snowball | Vegetable | Vegetables T-U |
| Watermelon, Moon & Stars (Van Doren) | Vegetable | Vegetables V-X |
| Zucchini, Black Beauty | Vegetable | Vegetables Y-Z |
| Zucchini, Cocozelle | Vegetable | Vegetables Y-Z |
| Zucchini, Golden | Vegetable | Vegetables Y-Z |