Something Sprouting at the Library!

Looking to start a garden? If you’re anything like me, the warmer weather has got me wanting to start up a flower patch again. The trouble is finding the best way to start and deciding which things to grow. What if I choose something wrong and nothing sprouts up? What if I waste money and time on plants that won’t grow in North Alabama? Don’t worry, the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has been working to bring back the joy of gardening in a way that anyone can get involved.

The Seed Library is celebrating its third year of being active, and it has sparked the interest of hundreds of local community members of all ages. In fact, in 2025 around 5,400 packets of seeds were "checked out” by patrons at the Madison Public Library! And not just flower seeds, but veggies and fruits as well, making a beautifully varied offering of 33 different varieties of seeds.

It began as an extension of the gardening and nature programs that patrons were loving at the Madison Public Library. The Seed Library was started up by the Madison Garden Club and Master Gardeners in 2023. Madison Public Library’s Adult Programming Librarian, Carolyn Reagle, has been refining the program for three years now and has brought it from a seedling of an idea to a well-rooted reality.

“We started the Seed Library because there was such a positive response and large attendance in all things gardening at Madison, and we noticed Seed Libraries across the country and the interest in gardening through the pandemic and afterwards, I researched how to do this and started it with several community grants,” says Reagle.

Patrons can use their library card to “check out” up to three packets of seeds a day, and if they need some guidance on planting and growing them, they can attend the Master Gardener Spring and Fall Series of classes that will help show them exactly how to make their garden thrive all year long! Plus, all seeds offered in the Seed Library are chosen to be easy and accessible for beginners to grow in North Alabama. No stressed gardeners here!

“I am a lifelong gardener and was a Master Gardener in Seattle for seven years before moving to North Alabama,” Reagle says. “This is a great area to garden due to the climate and the fact that you can garden for at least eight months during the year. We want to help people connect with the joy of gardens and nature, and this program helps the community get started!”

The Seed Library has been a huge hit with patrons. Their support for the program means that soon a second Seed Library will open at the South Huntsville Public Library. This sister location will allow more patrons to sow their own fresh food, support local pollinators, and create connections with others in the area.