How Dallas Libraries Are Growing Green Thumbs

Dallas Public Library patrons are checking out more than books. As a longtime customer of the Oak Lawn Branch Library, Dixie Okoche has watched herself grow from a self-proclaimed “black thumb” into a budding gardener. Today, she’s planting flowers, herbs, vegetables and even melons.

Her gardening journey began three years ago after she spotted a display labeled “Seed Library” during a visit to the Oak Lawn Branch.

“I just thought since the seeds are free, what’s the harm in trying to grow some?” The 62-year-old retiree says. “If it didn’t work, I wasn’t out any money.”

She took home a handful of seeds and planted them in pots on the third-floor balcony of her apartment. Within weeks, tiny green shoots began pushing through the soil. As her confidence grew, so did her garden.

“I started my balcony garden right after my mother and my uncle died days apart,” Dixie says. “They were both great gardeners, so I thought maybe they were the ones helping me out.”

She named her balcony oasis The Reg and Rayda Memorial Garden in their honor and regularly shares photos of her thriving plants with family members. What began as a simple experiment became a meaningful way to honor the people she loved and discover a passion she never expected.

Dixie’s story is one of many growing from Dallas Public Library’s Seed Library program.

A Growing Community

What started as a small pilot project at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library has blossomed into a citywide program available at 18 library branches. The library also offers educational programs such as Gardening for Beginners and Let’s Grow It for Spring, where new and experienced gardeners can learn together.

Mae Neal, who oversees the Seed Library Program and manages the fifth floor at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, says the program has created a community where gardeners connect, share advice and celebrate each other's successes.

“It’s so amazing seeing patrons excited to plant a new crop,” Mae says. “I love watching them bring back seeds from their harvest and pass that knowledge on to the next person.”

The program’s impact has even reached beyond Dallas. Foreign exchange students have taken seed packets home to share with family and friends in their own countries, extending the library’s mission well beyond city limits.

Thanks to the support from community partners, including the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and seed organizations, the Seed Library continues to grow alongside the gardeners it serves.

For patrons thinking about starting their own garden, Dixie shares some advice.

“Start small and build on your successes,” she says. “Don’t be scared to plant a few seeds and see what happens. You may enjoy the experience and plant some more.”