I “Shopped” My Local Library for My Spring Garden (It’s Free!)

When my kids were little, our local library was an essential part of our lives, whether we were attending story hour or picking out books. Now that they’re in their 20s, I occasionally pop in solo to grab a novel or find peace and quiet, but on my last visit, I found a new reason to peruse the stacks: the gardening section.

Yesterday, while chatting with the librarian, I spotted a display of gardening books just over her shoulder. Now that the weather is warming up, my eye went immediately to covers featuring fresh tomatoes and colorful flowers. There were titles on growing vegetables, enticing helpful insects, planning, planting, harvesting, and problem-solving. I peeked deeper into the bookshelves to find a more thorough selection (if you’re wandering the library, head to the stacks that house the 600-700 numbered books, as assigned by the Dewey Decimal System.)

Some may argue that you can easily find gardening information on the internet (which is true), but what I enjoyed most about the library was the idea generation. I had never considered planting a shade garden or curating a mossy area, and the books on growing flowers, like the Flower Gardener’s Handbook, made seemingly difficult caretaking seem doable. 

Of course, some books are so packed with information that you may decide that having a copy at home is essential for your garden’s success. The library is a fabulous introduction to test-run titles you then can purchase at your locally owned bookshop or put on your secondhand wish list — as an avid thrifter, that’s always my go-to choice.

You may also find that your library has additional resources for gardeners, such as events, classes, or a seed library, where you can take seeds to plant and return seeds to the library once your mature plant produces them. Ask the librarian or check your library’s website to keep up with what’s in store — my closest library doesn’t have a seed library program, but luckily I found one nearby that I can visit. 

As someone with a former black thumb, I have been able to keep most of my COVID-era plant purchases alive, so I’m ready to take the next step. With the resources my local library offers — and trips to charity shops for pots — I’m prepared to up my gardening game and add a bit of color to my yard (and thumb!) this spring.