The Independence Public Library, now in its second year of the Eat, Play, Read initiative, is empowering families in our community. This grant-funded initiative provides learning opportunities and resources for families with chronic illness, limited resources, or curiosity about growing their food. It equips them with the skills and knowledge to prepare healthy family meals. Our aim is to foster a food-secure community where families are self-sufficient in growing fresh produce and creating healthy meals.
Through our partnerships with area organizations, the Independence Public Library will connect families with content experts who can demonstrate easy, low-cost gardening techniques, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and create an educational kitchen garden at the Library. Thanks to grant funds, IPL has two raised beds inside the Library and two hydroponic towers where patrons can learn about different fruits and vegetables and gardening techniques. The Library is extending this garden to the outside of the building, replacing dead flower beds with fruits and vegetable plants. All the produce grown at the Library is used in 3 ways. The first will act as a healthy snack at the Library. Patrons can pick ripe fruits and vegetables while at the Library. Produce will be used in Library cooking classes and demonstrations. The final way the produce grown at the Library will be used is by allowing patrons to take what they need as it becomes available.
After a successful first year, the Library is eagerly looking forward to the initiative’s next phase. In 2024, we launched a Seed Library, a new and exciting resource addition. Community members are invited to explore a variety of seeds, from native wildflowers to herbs, fruits, and vegetables. This is an opportunity to grow your food and be part of a community of gardeners. Below, you will find information on what is available in the Seed Library, how to grow the seeds, and how to cook with the produce you grow, sparking your curiosity and anticipation.
Eat, Play, Read is a grant-funded initiative made possible in 2023 by the Association of Rural and Small Libraries in partnership with Penguin Random House Publishing. The Independence Public Library is one of 46 recipients nationwide of this year’s grant to provide much-needed support for collections and library programming. “Libraries are the epicenters of our communities. They encourage new readers, support lifelong learners, and delight book lovers of all ages. Through our new Library Grants, we will recognize rural, small, and tribal libraries that support underserved communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories to help elevate their impact and build community support.” – Penguin Random House.
The Seed Library is funded through the ByWater Solutions Community Gives Back grant.
Stop by the Library to learn more and see how progress is made!
Resources
Books Available at IPL!
Got Shade? : by Harstad, Carolyn
Midwest Fruit & Vegetable Gardening : by Elzer-Peters, Katie
The Medicinal Gardening Handbook : by Cummings, Dede
Container Gardening / by Williams, Paul
Month-by-Month Gardening In Kansas : by Miller, Mike
Diy Hydroponic Gardens / by Baras, Tyler
Flower Gardening 1-2-3 :
Hydroponics for Beginners / by Harms, Jeree
Container Theme Gardens : 42 Combinations, Each Using 5 Perfectly Matched Plants / by Ondra, Nancy J
The Heirloom Gardener : by Forti, John
Organic Gardening for the 21st Century / by Fedor, John
Complete Container Herb Gardening : by Goetz, Sue
Taunton's New Front Yard Idea Book / by Soria, Sandra S
Suzy Bales' Down-to-Earth Gardener : by Bales, Suzanne Frutig
Gardening Success : by McHoy, Peter
Year-Round Bloomers : by Baker, Jerry
How to Build, Maintain, and Use A Compost System : by Smith, Kelly M
Fresh Food From Small Spaces : by Ruppenthal, R. J
The Plant Lover's Guide to Salvias / by Whittlesey, John
Prairie Lands Gardener's Guide : by Barash, Cathy Wilkinson
A Backyard Vegetable Garden for Kids / by Leavitt, Amie Jane
Square Foot Gardening / by Bartholomew, Mel
Tomorrow's Garden : by Orr, Stephen
New Garden Book /
Sustainable Market Farming : by Dawling, Pam
Gardening Shortcuts / by Hendy, Jenny
Gardening With Prairie Plants : by Wasowski, Sally
The Complete Guide to Working With Worms : by VIncent, Wendy M
Herbs / by Lewis, Eleanore
The Complete Guide to No-Dig Gardening : by Nardozzi, Charlie
Growing Flowers : by Irving, Niki
P. Allen Smith's Colors for the Garden : by Smith, P. Allen
The Flower-Powered Garden : by Vernon, Andy
The Backyard Parables : by Roach, Margaret
The Organic Home Garden : by Lima, Patrick
Aquaponic Gardening : by Bernstein, Sylvia
The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Flowers From Seed to Bloom / by Powell, Eileen
Better Homes and Gardens Herb Gardening.
The Complete Compost Gardening Guide : by Pleasant, Barbara
Southern Living Big Book of Flower Gardening.
The A-Z of Companion Planting / by Neville, Jayne
Kansas Garden Guide –This comprehensive (202-page) guide provides the basic knowledge for a successful garden. It was created and distributed by Kansas State University.
Kansas State University Horticulture and Natural Resources Publications – Here is a list of topics and resources produced by the horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, and Kansas Forest Service experts at Kansas State University.
K-State Free Publications:
Planning:
Starting Plants from Seed – Discover how to transplant your seeds to your garden.
Planning a Garden – Learn how to select a location, ensure the soil is correct, and select what to grow.
Good Gardening Practices – Use this checklist to ensure your garden is healthy.
Gardening on Lead-Contaminated Soils – This publication by the K-State Department of Agronomy discusses the effects of lead-contaminated soils.
Raised Bed Gardening – Discover how to plan your raised bed gardening with this resource.
Fall Vegetable Gardens – Discover how to extend your garden into the fall with this fall vegetable garden publication.
Growing:
Growing Flowers in Pots — Learn how to choose a suitable container and fertilize it to produce beautiful flower pots.
Container Gardening – Vegetable Gardens – Discover how to grow vegetables in containers.
Growing Vegetables in Pots – Learn how to grow your vegetables in pots.
Growing Herbs for Home Use – This publication teaches you about herbalism and how to grow herbs at your home.
Maintaining:
Watering Vegetable and Flower Gardens – Stay up-to-date with how to water your vegetable and flower gardens while mitigating a drought.
Insect and Mite Pests of Vegetable Gardens – This publication discusses how to mitigate pests.
Composting – Discover how to compost waste to create organic matter to improve your garden.
Harvesting and Market Gardening:
Harvest and Storage of Fruits and Vegetables – Created by Charles Marr (Extension State Leader) and Frank Morrison (Extension Horticulturist), this publication teaches you how to harvest and store the produce you grow.
Food Safety for Farmers’ Markets — Karen Gast, an Extension Horticulturist, created this guide to help those raising market gardens.
Food Sold Directly to Consumers – This publication discusses the regulations and best practices for food safety.
Alkaline: A soil with a pH between 7.0 and 14 (on a scale of 0.0-14.0). Often referred to as “sweet” soil by gardeners.
Anaerobic: Describes organisms living or occurring where there is no oxygen.
Annual: A plant that blooms, produces seed, and dies in one year.
Beneficial Insect: An insect that benefits your garden by eating or laying its eggs in other insects, thereby controlling their population.
Biennial: A plant that completes its full life-cycle in two growing seasons. It produces leaves in the first and flowers in the second.
Biodegradable: Able to decompose or break down through natural bacterial or fungal action. Substances made of organic matter are biodegradable.
Biological Pest Control: Using living organisms such as beneficial insects or parasites to destroy garden pests.
Bolt: A term used to describe a plant that has gone to seed prematurely.
Chlorosis: A yellowing or blanching of the leaves due to lack of chlorophyll, nutrient deficiencies or disease.
Cold Frame: An unheated structure usually made of wood and covered with glass or plastic. Cold frames are used to protect plants from frost and are helpful season extenders.
Companion Planting: The sowing of seeds in the garden in such a way that plants help each other grow instead of competing against each other.
Compost: Completely decayed organic matter used for conditioning soil. It is dark, odorless and rich in nutrients.
Cover Crop: Vegetation grown to protect and build the soil during an interval when the area would otherwise lie fallow.
Crop Rotation: The planting of a specific crop in a site different from the previous year.
Cutting: A vegetative method of plant propagation whereby a piece of plant leaf, stem, root or bud is cut from a parent plant. It is then inserted into a growing medium to form roots, thus developing a new plant.
Damping Off: Decay of young seedlings at ground level following fungal attack. Often the result of soil borne diseases and over watering.
Dead Heading: The act of removing spent flowers or flower heads for aesthetics, to prolong bloom for up to several weeks or promote re-bloom, or to prevent seeding.
Deep Shade: A plant requiring less than 2 hours of dappled sun a day.
Direct Seed: To seed directly into the soil instead of starting your seeds indoors.
Fertilizer: An organic or synthetic material added to the soil or the plant, that is important for its nutrient value. Want to make your own plant nutrients?
Foliar Fertilizing: A technique of feeding plants by applying liquid fertilizer directly to plant leaves.
Frost Date: This is the average expected last frost date for your area. Frost dates are important to know for your gardening zone or planting area.
Fungicides: Compounds used to prevent the spread of fungi in gardens and crops, which can cause serious damage to plants.
Germinate: The beginning of growth in seeds, the action of sprouting, budding or shooting, above the soil. This occurs whenever a plant or seed begins to vegetate into leafy young plants. The breaking of dormancy in seeds or the sprouting of pollen grains deposited on a stigma.
Green Manure: A crop that is grown and then incorporated into the soil to increase soil fertility or organic matter content. Usually turned over into the soil a few weeks before new planting begins.
Hardening Off: The process of acclimatizing plants grown under protection, in the greenhouse for example, to cooler conditions outdoors.
Harvest Time: Often listed on the seed pack, this is the amount of time it takes to be able to pick the fruit/vegetable.
Heavy Soil: A soil that contains a high proportion of clay and is poorly drained.
Humus: A fairly stable, complex group of nutrient-storing molecules created by microbes and other forces of decomposition by the conversion of organic matter. Typically its dark loamy earth.
Ideal Temperature: This is the best range of temperatures a plant will grow.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A pest control strategy that uses an array of complementary methods: natural predators and parasites, pest-resistant varieties, cultural practices, biological controls, various physical techniques, and pesticides as a last resort. It is an ecological approach that can significantly reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides.
Light: This is the amount of light required for the plant to thrive.
- Full sun – more than 6 hours of direct sun per day
- Part sun – 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, including some afternoon sun
- Part shade – 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, mostly before midday
- Full shade – less than 4 hours of direct sun per day
Mulch: Any organic material, such as wood chips, grass clippings, compost, straw, or leaves that is spread over the soil surface (around plants) to hold in moisture and help control weeds.
No-Till-Gardening: This type of gardening calls for no cultivation (or tilling) of the soil after the initial tilling. In its place, regular mulches are added and plants are planted through the mulch. This saves on labor and eliminates weeds, which might germinate as a result of tilling.
N-P-K: An abbreviation for the three main nutrients that have been identified as absolutely necessary for plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These three are also known as “macronutrients,” and are the source of the three numbers commonly found on fertilizer labels.
Organic: Refers to something derived from living organisms and is made up of carbon-based compounds. It is also a general term used for a type of gardening using no chemical or synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Organic Gardening: This method of gardening is based on building a healthy, living soil through composting and using supplemental nutrients from naturally occurring deposits. The basic principle is to feed the soil so the soil will feed the plants. Healthy plants are better able to resist pests and disease thus reducing the need for control. If control is needed, cultural and mechanical methods are used first. Naturally derived pesticides are used only as a last resort.
Perennial: A plant that grows and flowers for years. They are either evergreens or may die back to the ground but will grow again the following season.
pH: A scale from 0-14 that explains the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the water or soil. Soil pH is very important because it affects the availability of nutrients to plants and the activity of microorganisms in the soil.
Planting: This is the best time to plant a plant, and is often broken up to spring, summer, and fall.
Plant Space: Listed on the seed packet, this is how far apart or how much space is needed between plants.
Rhizome: A fleshy underground stem or runner. Creeping grasses spread by rhizomes.
Season Extender: Any technique or piece of equipment used to extend the growing season in both spring and fall. Examples include; row covers, greenhouses, hotbeds, cold frames, and products such as Wall O’ Waters.
Seed Depth: This is listed on the back of the seed packet and refers to how deep to plant a seed.
Soil Amendment: Material added to the soil to improve its properties. This may include; water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration and structure. Soil amendments are mostly organic matter or very slow release minerals and are typically worked into the topsoil.
Soil Test: A measurement of the major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) and pH levels in the soil.
Sprouts In: This is the time it takes for a seed to germinate, or poke through the soil.
Tilth: Describes the general health of the soil including a balance of nutrients, water, and air. Soil that is healthy and has good physical qualities is in good tilth.
Topdressing: Applying fertilizers or some kind of soil amendment after seeding, transplanting or once the crop has been established.
Transplanting: The moving of a plant from one growth medium to another.
Vermicomposting: The use of red worms to convert food scraps or other organic materials into worm castings.
Worm Casting: The digested organic waste of red worms. Gardeners consider them the most nutrient dense organic compost available.
Xeriscaping: To create a low maintenance landscape with native plants and small or non-existent areas of turf grass. One of the primary goals of xeriscaping is to reduce landscape water use.
A seed library is a unique resource where members of the community can access a diverse range of high-quality seeds for free. These libraries are often located in public libraries and community centers, providing easy access to anyone who is interested in gardening or growing their own food.
At the Independence Public Library, we are proud to have launched our very own seed library, thanks to a generous grant from ByWater Solutions. We have carefully curated a selection of seeds that includes a variety of fruits, herbs, vegetables, and native flowers.
We are committed to not only providing free seeds but also fostering a community of gardeners and healthy eaters. As such, we offer a range of free programs and events focused on gardening and healthy eating, catering to all experience levels. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, the IPL seed library has something for you!
Our goal is to empower our community to grow their own food and to promote a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. We believe that access to free, high-quality seeds, as well as education and support, is crucial to achieving this goal. Join us at the IPL seed library and start your gardening journey today!
How It Works!
Patrons are allowed up to five (5) packets of seeds each visit to the library.
For each visit, we ask that you put your name on the sign-up sheet and the number of packets you took.
Seed Collection
Harvest Time |
Light |
Sprouts In |
Seed Depth |
Plant Spacing |
Ideal Temp |
Planting |
|
Fruits and Veggies |
|||||||
| Beets | |||||||
| Bull’s Blood | 50 | Full Sun | 14-21 Days | 1/2 inch | 6 inches | 50-85 | Spring/Fall |
| Broccoli | |||||||
| Waltham 29 | 75 | Full Sun | 7-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 12 inches | 60-80 | Spring/Fall |
| Cabbage | |||||||
| Brunswick | 90 | Full Sun | 7-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 10 inches | 50-75 | Spring/Fall |
| Carrots | |||||||
| St. Valery | 70 | Full Sun | 12-18 Days | 1/8 inch | 3 inches | 50-75 | Spring/Fall |
| Corn | |||||||
| High Carotene | 80 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1 inch | 12 inches | 85-90 | Summer |
| Cucumber | |||||||
| Sweet Market More | 63 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/2 inch | 3 inches | 75-85 | Summer |
| Green Beans | |||||||
| Blue Lake Bush 274 | 60 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/2 inch | 4 inches | 70-80 | Spring/Fall |
| Okra | |||||||
| Burmese | 56 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1 inch | 18 inches | 75-90 | Summer |
| Peas | |||||||
| Lincoln Garden | 62 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1 inch | 4-6 inches | 55-75 | Spring/Fall |
| Peppers, Bell | |||||||
| Ozark Giant | 75 | Full Sun | 7-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 18 inches | 70-95 | Summer |
| Peppers, Jalapeno | |||||||
| Craig’s Grande | 70 | Full Sun | 7-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 18 inches | 70-95 | Summer |
| Pumpkin | |||||||
| Pie | 90 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1 inch | 48 inches | 65-95 | Summer |
| Tomato | |||||||
| Beefsteak (Slicer) | 85 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/8 inch | 24 inches | 75-90 | Summer |
| Cherry (Snack) | 65 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/8 inch | 24 inches | 75-95 | Summer |
| Martino’s Roma (Processing) | 75 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/8 inch | 24 inches | 75-95 | Summer |
| Squash | |||||||
| Fordhook Zucchini | 57 | Full Sun | 5-10 Days | 1/2 inch | 12-24 inchese | 70-95 | Summer |
| Watermelon | |||||||
| Crimson Sweet | 85 | Full Sun | 5-10 Days | 1/2-1 inch | 36 inches | 70-95 | Summer |
Leafy Greens |
|||||||
| Arugula | |||||||
| Atomic | 35 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/4 inch | 6 inches | 45-65 | Spring/Fall/Indoors |
| Collard Greens | |||||||
| Georgia Southern | 75 | Full Sun | 8-12 Days | 1/4 inch | 24 inches | 60-70 | Spring/Fall/Indoors |
| Kale | |||||||
| Russian Red | 50 | Full Sun | 6-9 Days | 1/4 inch | 8 inches | 45-85 | Spring/Fall/Indoors |
| Lettuce, Iceberg | |||||||
| Hungarian Landrace II | 85 | Full/Part | 7-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 8 inches | 45-70 | Spring/Fall/Indoors |
| Lettuce, Romain | |||||||
| Crisp Mint | 65 | Part Sun | 7-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 8 inches | 60-80 | Spring/Fall/Indoors |
| Mustard | |||||||
| Southern Giant Curled | 50 | Full Sun | 5-8 Days | 1/4 inch | 12 inches | 55-70 | Spring/Fall/Indoors |
| Spinach | |||||||
| New Zealand | 60 | Full/Part | 14-21 Days | 1/2 inch | 12 inches | 55-75 | Spring/Fall/Indoors |
Herbs |
|||||||
| Basil | |||||||
| Genovese | 60 | Full Sun | 6-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 8 inches | 70-80 | Warm/Indoor |
| Cilantro | |||||||
| 55 | Part Sun | 7-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 4 inches | 60-80 | Warm/Indoor | |
| Chives, Onion | |||||||
| Common | 60 | Part Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/8 inch | 3 inches | 55-60 | Warm/Indoor |
| Chives, Garlic | |||||||
| Chinese | 60 | Part Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/8 inch | 3 inches | 55-60 | Warm/Indoor |
| Dill | |||||||
| Elephant | 60 | Full Sun | 7-21 Days | 1/8 inch | 4 inches | 55-75 | Summer |
| Rosemary | |||||||
| Rosy | 80 | Full Sun | 14-28 Days | 0 inche | 12 inches | 80-90 | Summer/Indoor |
| Sage | |||||||
| Broad Leaf | 80 | Full Sun | 7-21 Days | 0 inche | 12 inches | 60-70 | Warm/Indoor |
Native Wild Flowers |
|||||||
| Black-Eyed Susan | 60 | Full Sun | 7-10 Days | 1/4 inch | 18 inches | 68-95 | Summer/Fall |
| Wild Bergamot | 365 | Full Sun | 14-21 Days | 0 inch | 12 inches | 60-90 | Summer |
| Coneflower, Grayhead | 365 | Full Sun | 10-15 Days | 1/8 inch | 8 inches | 65-90 | Summer |
| Coneflower, Purple | |||||||
| Purpurea Echinacea | 120 | Full Sun | 10-15 Days | 1/8 inch | 8 inches | 65-90 | Summer |
| Leavenworth Eryngo | 110 | Sun | 7-10 Days | 0 inch | 18 inches | 55-60 | Spring |
| Hopi Black Dye Sunflower | 90 | Full Sun | 7-14 Days | 1/2 inch | 18 inches | 65-75 | Summer |
| Big Flower Zinnia Mix | 70 | Full Sun | 4-6 Days | 1/4 inch | 9 inches | 70-95 | Summer |
Books Available for Check-Out!
Discover how to use the produce you grow in your kitchen with these delicious recipes!
Snap a picture of your food creation and send it to indylibrary@iplks.org for your chance to be featured on our social media.
Books Available for Check-Out at IPL!
Home Hacks :
Stocking Up :
Canning for A New Generation : by Krissoff, Liana
Henley's Formulas for Home and Workshop :
Fix, Freeze, Feast by Neville, Kati
The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook / by Saunders, Rachel
Well-Preserved : by Bone, Eugenia
The Country Living Handbook : by Gehring, Abigail R
Waste-Free Kitchen Handbook : by Gunders, Dana
Make It Ahead : A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook / by Garten, Ina
Downshiftology Healthy Meal Prep: by Bryan, Lisa
Food In Jars : by McClellan, Marisa
The Heirloom Life Gardener : by Gettle, Jere
Saving the Season : by West, Kevin
Pressure Canning for Beginners and Beyond : by Schneider, Angi
K-State Research and Extension Resources
Canning – This resource provides the resources to understand both types of canning methods.
Dehydrating – One of the oldest methods of food preservation.
Freezing – An easy and convenient method of preserving food.
Jams and Jellies – Find a variety of jam and jelly recipes and resources.
Pickling – Discover how to pickle and find recipes to help learn.
Video Library – Discover K-State Research and Extension’s vast video library for water bath canning and pressure canning.
Recipes – K-State has curated a robust list of reputable canning sights.
Gardening How To Video’s
Find out more by subscribing to Kansas State University’s Extension YouTube Page. They have a wide range of videos to help you start your own garden.
Preserving Your Food
Canning Basics
Find out more by visiting the Kansas State Extension’s YouTube Channel!
Hydroponics
What is Hydroponics?
D.I.Y. Tower System
D.I.Y. Kratky System
What Can I Grow?
D.I.Y. Aeroponics System
D.I.Y. NFT System
The Independence Public Library is proud to be working with an amazing group of community partners! Our Eat, Play, Read partners consist of content experts, audience experts, and local farmers and gardeners. Click on each of our community partners to learn more about them!
Content Experts: Organizations with knowledge of gardening, food production, healthy meals, and nutrition.
- Independence Garden Club
- Wildcat Extension District
- Winkleman’s Garden Center
- Independence FFA Chapter
- Greenbush
Audience Experts: Organizations who work with families with limited resources.
- Four County Mental Health, Project Before
- Independence Diversity Task Force
- SKIL
- Parents as Teachers
- Tree House of Early Learning
Individual Experts: Individuals who are either audience or content experts, but do not represent an organization.
- Erin Bunn, & Bunn’s Backyard Farm
- Malory Dean, Sight Bites Cookbook
- Kortny Robinson
