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
Click on a plant name for growing information. Please note: Our selection changes throughout the year based on available donations.
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.