The 2026 Seed Exchange is now open!
Select from an outstanding collection of seeds thanks to the many Williamson County gardeners and to our donors' very generous contributions.
Library members can borrow seed packets at the Main Library in Franklin. It's a fun, FREE, way to try new seeds. Stop by to pick out seeds to plant in the Spring and harvest in the fall, then bring a few back to the Library to keep our Exchange going.
Our Seed Exchange can't have too many seeds! If you'd like to donate, visit the Seed Donation Guidelines.
New In-Person Seed Exchange
Starting in 2026, the Library will accept both online and in-person seed requests. Borrow limits for each patron are 5 seed packets per month, adding up to 30 for the year.
TO MAKE AN IN-PERSON SEED REQUEST:
- Stop by our Seed Card Catalog on the second floor, which offers information on each type of seed we have available to grow.
- Bring up to 5 seed info cards to the Reference Desk.
- Present your library card to staff and they will provide the requested seeds based on availability.
- In-person Seed Library hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 7:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm
- Sunday 1 to 5 pm.
HOW THE ONLINE SEED EXCHANGE WORKS:
- Click here for a list of available seeds.
- Fill out our online seed request form.
- Include the complete name of each seed, or we will not be able to fill the request. For example, request “Big Boy Tomato”, not just “Tomato.”
- Click “Submit.”
- Allow 4 days to get your order together.
- You will receive a call or email when your seeds are ready.
- Seed pickup hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 7:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm
- Sunday 1 to 5 pm.
- Pick up your seeds at the second-floor Reference desk within 5 days of notification.
- Seeds cannot be mailed.
GUIDELINES:
- A library card in good standing is required to borrow seeds. Apply for a library card.
- Patrons must be 18 years of age or older to check out seeds.
- Each patron can take up to 5 packets of seeds, limited to 1 packet of each type of seed, per month.
- The online seed list is updated weekly.
- Patrons who borrow seeds are encouraged, but not required, to harvest seeds for the following season.
- The Library makes no guarantees about the success of any of the seeds in our collection.
- The seeds are for planting only. Do not eat them.
- The Library is not responsible for seed usage.
- Seeds not picked up within 2 weeks are added back to the exchange to ensure planting and harvesting opportunities.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:
Each seed packet includes basic information about the plant and planting instructions. For more details about each plant, patrons can use the Library's great gardening resources.