Step 1: Browse
Look through our list of available seeds at the Reference Desk. The inventory is updated regularly but seeds listed are not guaranteed to be in stock and there may be additional seeds added to the library since the last update.
Step 2: Check out
A staff member at the Reference Desk will retrieve the seeds you select and check them out to you. All Urbandale library cardholders may check out up to six packets of seeds per calendar year on a first-come, first-served basis.
Step 3: Grow
Plant your seeds! Our “Gardening Resource Guide” includes print and online resources that can help set you up for gardening success. (The Library cannot guarantee viability as the seeds have not undergone a germination test.)
Step 4: Share
If you have grown plants from the seeds that you checked out and they have successfully produced seeds, please return your harvested seeds to the Urbandale Public Library.* We will repackage your harvested seeds and put them into circulation so that others may try their hand at growing!
*In accordance with Iowa Code, Chapter 199, the library has been granted a seed permit, effective 2/2022. Further, seeds treated with pesticides cannot be accepted by the UPL seed library.
