2026 Spring Seed Sampler

Spring is here, and it’s time to get that garden opened up and ready for growing. AADL’s Seed Sampler is ready to supply you with starter packs of seeds to get you started on your gardening adventure. Head over to your local branch, where you will find a Seed Sampler display. You can peruse our selection of seeds and take up to 5 packets to start your garden. You will be able to pick up the One Seed, One State variety from the station starting May 1! Planting information can be found on each seed packet, or you can take a look at the listing below for more detailed planting instructions. After that, it's all about having fun in your garden!

Seed packets are assembled by volunteers and quantities may vary! Questions? Email seeds@aadl.org. Interested in volunteering? Visit https://aadl.org/volunteer for more information. If you receive library books by mail, contact us at seeds@aadl.org or (734) 327-4224 to receive your seeds in the mail. Seeds will be available while supplies last! 

Spring 2026 seeds will be available at each library beginning April 1. A second release of seeds with later planting dates will be available on May 1!

April 1st Release

	Arugula (Eruca sativa) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4” deep at 2”-6” spacing; Thin to 3"-6" spacing depending on desired plant sizel Timing: Direct sow outdoors: March-April and again in September. Growing: Full Sun, tolerates Light Shade Harvesting: 21-25 days Notes: Tender leaves will regrow if cut 1/2" above ground. For best performance and flavor, plant early in the spring and again in late summer for a fall harvest. Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Carrot, Red Core Chantenay (Daucus carota) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4" deep at 2"-6” spacing; Thin to 2"-3" spacing later in season. Timing: Direct sow outdoors March-April. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 65 days Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Dill (Anethum graveolens) Quantity in packet: 20 Sowing: Sow 3-4 seeds 1/4" deep at 10"-12" apart; Thin to 15" apart once established. Timing: Direct sow outdoors March-April. Growing: Full Sun, tolerates Light Shade Harvesting: Seed heads form in 70+ days Notes: Dill may be used at any age: microgreens, young leaves, flower heads, and seeds. Host plant for Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillars. Part of Michigan’s great pickle growing and processing heritage. Sourced From: High Mowing Organic Seeds
	Ground Cherry, Cossack Pineapple (Physalis pruinosa) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4" deep, transplant after frost at 3' spacing; Thinning not required. Timing: Start seeds inside March-April; Transplant seedlings or direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 70 days Notes: Plant at least two plants for cross-pollination. Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Kale, Rainbow Lacinato (Brassica oleracea) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4” deep at 12"-18” spacing; Thin to 12"-18" spacing as needed. Timing: Direct sow outdoors or transplant seedlings March-April and again in September. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 65 days Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Onion, Rossa di Milano (Allium cepa) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4" deep at 2-4" spacing; Thin to 3" spacing. Timing: Direct sow outdoors or transplant seedlings March-April. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 115 Days Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Radish, French Breakfast (Raphanus sativus) Quantity in packet: 5 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/2” deep at 3"-4” spacing; Thinning not required. Timing: Direct sow outdoors March-May and again in September-October. Growing: Full sun, tolerates light shade Harvesting: 25 days Sourced From: Fedco Seeds
	Slicer Tomato, Cherokee Purple (Solanum lycopersicum) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4" deep, transplant after frost at 3' spacing; Thinning not required. Timing: Start inside in April, transplant seedlings outside after last frost. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 70-80 days Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Strawflower, Silvery Rose (Helichrysum bracteatum) Quantity in packet: 20 Sowing: Press gently into soil at 12" spacing; thin as needed after transplant. Timing: Start seeds inside March-April; Transplant seedlings after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 75-85 days Notes: Tolerant of heat & cold, will bloom into the fall. Great for cut flowers, and dry well. Use a stake or trellis for best results. Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Sunflower, Tiger's Eye Mix (Helianthus annuus) Quantity in packet: 15 Sowing: Sow 1" deep at 8"-14" spacing; Thinning not required. Timing: Direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 80-120 days Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Tatsoi, Asian green (Brassica rapa) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4” deep at 6-12” spacing; Thin to 6"-8" spacing. Timing: Start indoors in March and transplant or direct sow outdoors March-April; again in September. Growing: Full Sun, tolerates Light Shade Harvesting: 45 days Notes: Harvest baby greens to add a fresh hint of a mustard bite to salads. At full size, Tatsoi forms 10-12” diameter rosettes. Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Tomato, Black Cherry (Solanum lycopersicum) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4" deep, transplant at 2'-3' spacing; Thinning not required. Timing: Start seeds inside in April; Transplant seedlings or direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 70-75 days Notes: Trellis for best results. Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective

May 1st Release

	ONE SEED ONE STATE: Calendula 'Pacific Beauty' (Calendula officinalis) Quantity in packet: 15 Sowing: Sow seeds gently into top of soil, up to 1/4" deep at 18" spacing, thin to 12-18" as needed. Timing: Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting or direct sow outdoors after last frost, May-June. Growing: Full Sun to partial shade Harvesting: 98-105 days to maturity Notes: This pollinator friendly variety grows yellow, gold, and orange blooms 15-18 inches tall, and are great for cut flowers. Sourced From: True Leaf Market
	Bachelor's Button, Blue (Centaurea cyanis) Quantity in packet: 20 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/2" deep at 12" spacing; Thin to 8"-10" spacing as needed. Timing: Start seeds inside March-April; Transplant seedlings or direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 90 days Notes: Petals are edible and great on top of a salad or dessert. This pollinator favorite will re-seed readily. Sourced From: Johnny's Seeds
	Beet, Guardsmark Chioggia (Beta vulgaris) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/2” deep at 2”-6” spacing; Thin to 3"-4" spacing. Timing: Direct sow outdoors: March-August. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 60 days Sourced From: High Mowing Organic Seeds
	Bush Bean, Royal Burgundy (Phaseolus vulgaris) Quantity in packet: 5 Sowing: Sow seeds 1” deep at 6-12" spacing. Timing: Direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 55 days Sourced From: High Mowing Organic Seeds
	Cucumber, Marketmore '76 (Cucumis sativus) Quantity in packet: 5 Sowing: Sow seeds 1” deep at 2'-3' spacing; Thin largest plants to 12"-18" spacing. Timing: Direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full sun, tolerates light shade Harvesting: 65 days Sourced From: High Mowing Organic Seeds
	Eggplant, Ping Tung Long (Solanum melongena) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4" deep at 3' spacing. Timing: Start seeds inside March-April; Transplant seedlings or direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 60-80 days Sourced From: High Mowing Organic Seeds
	Marigold, African (Tagetes erecta) Quantity in packet: 15 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/2" deep at 10"-12" spacing; Thin to 12” spacing. Timing: Direct sow outdoors or transplant after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 40-50 days Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective, Fedco Seeds
	Pole Bean, Kentucky Wonder (Phaseolus vulgaris) Quantity in packet: 5 Sowing: Sow seeds 1” deep at 3" spacing; Thinning not required. Timing: Direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 50-60 days Notes: A vigorous climber; needs a sturdy trellis at least 6 ft high. Sourced From: Territorial Seeds
	Radish, Cherry Belle (Raphanus sativus) Quantity in packet: 5 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/2” deep at 3”-4” spacing; Thinning not required. Timing: Direct sow March-May and again in September-October. Growing: Full sun, tolerates light shade Harvesting: 25 days Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Summer Squash, Costata Romanesco (Cucurbita pepo) Quantity in packet: 5 Sowing: Sow seeds at 1/2"-1" deep at 3'-4' spacing; Thin to 3'-4' spacing as needed. Timing: Direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full sun Harvesting: 50-60 days Sourced From: High Mowing Organic Seeds
	Turnip, Purple Top (Brassica rapa) Quantity in packet: 10 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/4” deep at 3"-6” spacing; Thin to 3"-6" as plants mature if desired. Timing: Direct sow outdoors in April and again in September. Growing: Full Sun, tolerates Light Shade Harvesting: 55 days Notes: For best flavor, harvest in fall after one to two light frosts. Sourced From: Green Things Farm Collective
	Winter squash, Waltham Butternut (Cucurbita moschata) Quantity in packet: 5 Sowing: Sow seeds 1/2" deep at 12” spacing; Thin to 12" spacing as needed. Timing: Direct sow outdoors after last frost: May-June. Growing: Full Sun Harvesting: 105 days Sourced From: Fedco Seeds