Stop in and “borrow” any seeds you like. After your plants have bloomed, save some of those seeds and bring them in to add to the seed collection!
The Marengo-Union Library District Seed Library contains a selection of vegetable, herb and flower seeds. Our selection changes throughout the year based on available donations.
Growing Guides
University of Illinois Extension:
- When to plant in Illinois?
- Herb Gardening Growing Guides
- Vegetable Gardening Growing Guides
- Fruit Gardening Growing Guides
- Flower Gardening Growing Guides
- Gardeners Corner
Cornell University:
NC State Extension:
Plant Growing Tips
Spring 2023 Seeds
Introducing the 2023 seed additions. Click on a plant name for growing information.
Vegetables:
Flowers:
Carrots – Scarlet Nantes
Growing Guides & Sources:
Plant outdoors: April 10-May 15
Outdoor Temp: 45°F-75°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Directly in garden bed
Seed Spacing: 1″
Row Spacing: 16″
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 14-21 days
Matures in 70-120 days
Plant height: 8″-12″
Plant spread: 3″
Root size: 7″-8″
Tips: Thin when 1″ tall, thin to 1 every 3″
Hot Peppers – Healthy Pepper
Growing Guides & Sources:
Seed starting indoors: Feb. 20 – Mar 20
Plant outdoors: May 15 – May 29
Outdoor Temp: Above 55°F at night
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 8 weeks before last frost
Seed Spacing: 12″-24″
Row Spacing: 2′-3′
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 10-21 days
Matures in 70 – 80 days
Plant height: up to 30″
Plant spread: 16″
Tips:
- Peppers are best started from seeds indoors in late winter and then transplanted into the garden. Learn More.
- Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Learn more.
Peas – Little Marvel
Growing Guides & Sources:
Plant outdoors: April 10-May 15
Outdoor Temp: Above 45°F at night
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Directly in garden bed
Seed Spacing: 2″
Row Spacing: 2.5′
Seed Depth: 1.5″
Seedlings in 7-10 days
Matures in 60-65 days
Plant height: 2′-3′
Plant spread: 6″-8″
Fruit size: 3″
Tips:
- Peas benefit from an application of a soil inoculant prior to planting. Learn more.
- Thin plants when seedlings are 2 inches tall.
Radishes – Sparkler
Growing Guides & Sources:
Plant outdoors: April 10-May 08
Outdoor Temp: 40°F-70°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Directly in garden bed
Seed Spacing: 1″
Row Spacing: 10″-12″
Seed Depth: ½”
Seedlings in 4-6 days
Matures in 25 days
Plant height: 4″-6″
Plant spread: 4″-6″
Root size: 1″-2″
Tips: Thin after 1 week to stand about 2″ apart.
Squash – Spaghetti
Growing Guides & Sources:
Plant outdoors: May 15 – June 05
Outdoor Temp: Above 55°F at night
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: 4-6 seeds in mounded 12″ hills. Directly in garden bed.
Hill Spacing: 6′
Seed Depth: 1″
Seedlings in 8-10 days
Matures in 100 days
Plant height: 10″-12″
Plant spread: 8′ vines
Fruit Size: 4″-5″ diameter
Tips: When 3″ leaves, thin to 1-2 per mound
Sweet Peppers – California Wonder
Growing Guides & Sources:
Seed starting indoors: Feb. 20 – Mar 20
Plant outdoors: May 15 – May 29
Outdoor Temp: Above 55°F at night
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 6 weeks before last frost
Seed Spacing: 18″-24″
Row Spacing: 2′-3′
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 10-21 days
Matures in 70 – 80 days
Plant height: 2′-3′
Plant spread: 12″
Fruit Size: 4″
Tips:
- Peppers are best started from seeds indoors in late winter and then transplanted into the garden. Learn More.
- Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Learn more.
Tomatoes – Isis Candy Cherry
Growing Guides & Sources:
Seed starting indoors: Mar. 06 – Mar. 20
Plant outdoors: May 15 – May 29
Outdoor Temp: Above 55°F at night, below 95°F during the day
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 6 weeks before last frost
Seedling Spacing: 24″-36”
Row Spacing: 3′-4′
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 7-14 days
Matures in 70-80 days
Plant height: 4′-6′
Plant spread: 4′
Fruit size: 1½” in clusters of 6-8
Tips:
- Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Learn more.
- Many gardeners train their tomato plants to stakes, trellises, or cages with great success. Learn more.
Purple Coneflower
Growing Guides & Sources:
Seed starting indoors: Feb. 06 – Mar. 06
Plant outdoors: Apr. 03 – May 15
Soil Temp: 65°F-70°F
Sunlight: Sun/Partial Shade
Moisture Needs: Medium moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 10 weeks before last frost
Seed Spacing: 8”-10″
Row Spacing: 3′-4′
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 10-20 days
Plant height: 3′-4′
Bloom size: 4″-6″
Lifecycle: Perennial
Tips:
- Seeds can be soaked in warm water for 24 hours before planting.
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible.
Cosmos – Bright Lights
Growing Guides & Sources:
Seed starting indoors: Mar. 20 – Apr. 03
Plant outdoors: May 15 – May 29
Soil Temp: 70°F-75°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Medium moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Seed Spacing: 5″-6″
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 5-10 days
Plant height: 10″-24″
Bloom size: 2″-3″
Lifecycle: Annual
Tips:
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches.
- When 1″ – 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 10″
- Remove plants after they are killed by heavy frost in fall
Seed starting indoors: Feb. 06 – Mar. 06
Plant outdoors: Apr. 03 – May 15
Soil Temp: 70°F-75°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Light moisture
Sow: Seed start indoors 10 weeks before last frost
Seed Spacing: 9″-12″
Seed Depth: ⅛”
Seedlings in 6-14 days
Plant height: 24″
Bloom size: 2″-3½”
Lifecycle: Annual
Tips:
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6″.
- When 1″- 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 8″ – 12″
- Remove plants after they are killed by heavy frost in fall
Seed starting indoors: Feb. 20 – Mar. 06
Plant outdoors: Apr. 03 – May 01
Soil Temp: 60°F-65°F
Sunlight: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost
Seed Spacing: 10″-24″
Seed Depth: ¹⁄₁₆”
Seedlings in 15-20 days
Plant height: 3′-5′
Bloom size: 2″-3″
Lifecycle: Perennial
Tips:
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6″-12″.
- When 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 18″-24″
- The plants, seeds, and foliage of this variety are all poisonous—please use caution.
Morning Glory – Shiva
Growing Guides & Sources:
Plant outdoors: May 15 – May 29
Soil Temp: Above 55°F at night
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Medium moist, Well drained
Sow: Directly in soil
Seed Spacing: 6″-12″
Seed Depth: ½”
Seedlings in 7-14 Days
Plant height: 8′-15′ vines
Bloom size: 2″
Lifecycle: Annual
Tips:
- Thin plants to stand 12″ apart when plants are 1″ to 2″ high.
- Morning glory is a vigorous vine; choose a location next to a support for the vines to climb.
Plant outdoors: Apr. 01 – May 15
Soil Temp: 65°F-75°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Medium moist, Well drained
Sow: Grow in a container as a houseplant or directly in garden.
Seed Spacing: 12″
Seed Depth: ⅛”
Seedlings in 21-30 Days
Plant height: 8″-10″
Bloom size: 2″
Lifecycle: Annual
Tips:
- Soak the seeds in hot tap water for 20 minutes before sowing.
- Best watered at ground level to avoid “tripping” the leaves.
Zinnia – Giant Cactus Mix
Growing Guides & Sources:
Seed starting indoors: Mar. 06 – Mar. 20
Plant outdoors: May 15 – May 29
Soil Temp: 70°F-75°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Seed Spacing: 12″
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 7-10 days
Plant height: 2′-3′
Bloom size: 5″-6″
Lifecycle: Annual
Tips:
- Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Learn more.
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6″-8″.
- When 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 12″
Seed starting indoors: Feb. 13 – Mar. 06
Plant outdoors: May 08 – May 29
Outdoor Temp: 60°F-70°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
Seedling Spacing: 12”
Row Spacing: 18″
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 14-21 days
Matures in 75-90 days
Plant height: 12″-24″
Plant spread: 16″-24″
Tips:
- Thin to 15″ apart when seedlings have two or three pairs of leaves.
Harvesting:
- Pick off leaves as needed.
- You may want to wait until the second year to harvest to allow the plant to establish.
Parsley Italian Flat
Growing Guides & Sources:
Seed starting indoors: Mar. 20 – Apr. 03
Plant outdoors: May 08 – Jun. 12
Outdoor Temp: 50°F-70°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 8 weeks before last frost
Seedling Spacing: 10″-12”
Row Spacing: 16″
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seedlings in 18-21 days
Matures in 85-90 days
Plant height: 10″-12″
Plant spread: 12″
Tips:
- When 1″ tall, thin to 1 every 8″
Harvesting:
- Bunch the stems and leaves together and snip them off at ground level with kitchen shears.
Seed starting indoors: Mar. 06 – Mar. 20
Plant outdoors: May 15 – May 29
Outdoor Temp: 60°F-65°F
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture Needs: Moist, Well drained
Sow: Seed start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Seedling Spacing: 10″-12”
Row Spacing: 12″
Seed Depth: ⅛”
Seedlings in 5-10 days
Matures in 25 days
Plant height: 12″-18″
Plant spread: 16″-18″
Tips:
- When 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 12″
- Pinch back flower stalks as they appear to keep plants from bolting.
Harvesting:
- Harvest just before flowering by pinching the stems just above a set of leaves as needed from the top.