Community Garden

A community vegetable garden was founded at YDL-Michigan in May 2016. Funds were provided by a grant from the Ann Arbor Branch of the Women’s National Farm and Garden Association and the Kiwanis Club of Ypsilanti. Many plants and volunteer hours were generously donated by YDL patrons, staff, and the farm at Eisenhower Center. Seeds from our seed library were also used.

Four raised bed garden boxes filled with compost provide the majority of our planting area for the Michigan Avenue branch’s community garden. Community members are encouraged to plant, care for, and harvest the garden. A weekly Gardener’s Club, open to all community members, is held May-October at YDL-Michigan. Community garden produce is used in demonstration based programs, how-to recipe videos, and in our Gardener’s Club meetings!

Pollinator Garden

Located in a sunny spot at the back end of the Library Plaza near the parking lot, the pollinator garden was dedicated in June 2015 in honor of Ypsilanti’s designation as the first Bee City in Michigan. The garden is an oasis of native plants and flowers for pollinator insects and reflects YDL-Michigan’s active interest in the education of gardening and sustainable stewardship. 

This summer we need to replant the pollinator garden, as it had to be dug up for the Library Plaza renovations in 2022. Join us on April 22nd to not only celebrate Earth Day, but to plan out our new pollinator garden and learn more about who pollinates our green spaces at our Grow Your Garden program! The design that is created during this program will then be planted on May 20th during our Pollinator Garden (Re)Planting event. Help protect and nurture our pollinator spaces by attending these two programs this spring. 

Seed Library

What is the seed library?
The seed library is a collection of seeds that anyone can take from and contribute too. Participation is open to all interested gardeners. You do not need to have a YDL card in order to borrow or donate seeds.  It is self-service and available during the library’s hours of operation.

How to contribute:
The seed library depends on your donations to be self-sustaining. You can donate either commercially purchased seeds or ones you’ve saved. Donation envelopes are available at all Ypsi Seed Library locations. Please fill out the information on the envelope.

What’s in the seed library?
Interested in what seeds are available from the seed library? Come check out the seed library in person to get the most up to date information! Or you can look at our seed inventory to get an idea of what seeds may be available at Michigan Avenue.

One Seed, One State:
Every year the MI Seed Library Network works with seed libraries across the State of Michigan to promote the practice of growing and saving seeds. The ability to easily grow and save seeds from the plant in all parts of the state is a requirement. Check out more about this program and sign up to help grow and save seeds!

What’s happening in the Michigan Ave Garden?