Free Seeds at Madison Libraries This Winter!

By Siwoo Park, age 13

Madison libraries are once again giving out free seeds of native Wisconsin plants. Madison Public Library’s Seed Library launched its winter collection on Jan. 13, 2025.

To get a seed, all you have to do is visit a library participating in the seed library project and request one or more seed packets. Then, you can use the seeds to grow beautiful greenery. The library provides a guide for when to plant them. The winter collection includes Black-eyed Susans, Wild Bergamots, Butterfly Weeds, Rattlesnake Masters, Little Bluestems, Smooth Blue aster, Golden Alexanders, and Bottlebrush grass.

The seeds were donated by the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department (DCLWRD), with an honorable mention to Dane County Parks volunteers who collected them. Volunteers prepared more than 5,700 seed packets, but once they run out, they will not be available again until spring.

“Native plants provide important ecosystem services such as improved water quality, habitat, and food for local wildlife, including numerous pollinator species,” said Laura Hicklin, director of DCLWRD.

Many organizations funded the Madison Seed Library. These foundations include the John A. Johnson Fund, Madison Community Foundation, Friends of Madison Public Library, and Madison Public Library Foundation.

The winter collection of Madison Public Library’s Seed Library is limited, but do not worry, their spring collection will be out this March!

[Source: City of Madison, Madison Public Library]