By: Julia Welzen
Spring is here, the weather is warming up, and the last frost date is fast approaching. Prepare for another gardening season by checking out the following titles! The library buildings may be temporarily closed, but all these titles are available virtually through OverDrive, Hoopla, and the Tumblebook Library. New to downloadable titles? Visit the library’s website to learn more about our virtual services!
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
In this lovely memoir, the author details the first year after she and her family bought a run-down farm and attempt a mostly local food diet. While they don’t grow all their own food, Kingsolver’s lush and amusing anecdotes coupled with her interviews with neighbors and friends who grow or forage for various foods are a delight and will leave you hungry for fresh meals.
Storey Country Wisdom Bulletins
- Find them on Hoopla.
Since 1978, Storey has been publishing these short gems on everything from improving your soil to growing root crops to creating a hummingbird garden. All these bulletins are 32 pages long, and most are illustrated, making for quick, focused reading. More than 200 titles are available in Hoopla—just search for Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin. Storey also publishes a myriad of other titles on gardening, preservation, animal care, and related skills.
Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher
- Find it on Hoopla.
Using native plants and other ecologically friendly landscaping methods are hot topics. Learn how you can create healthy spaces that are adapted for local flora and fauna.
Garden Flora: The Natural and Cultural History of the Plants in Your Garden by Noel Kingsbury
- Find it on Hoopla.
Have you ever wondered where daffodils came from? Or what the ancient Romans planted in their gardens? Check out this beautifully illustrated ebook to learn more about gardening history around the world.
The Complete Guide to Lower Midwest Gardening by Black & Decker
- Find it on OverDrive.
New to gardening or the Midwest? This focused guide will give you all the information you need to get started.
Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein
- Find it on Hoopla.
For all the flower fans, here’s a title to help you grow flowers for and create gorgeous arrangements throughout the year.
Square Foot Gardening with Kids by Mel Bartholomew
- Find it on OverDrive.
Gardening is a project the whole family can enjoy—discover how you can engage children in the project too! Bartholomew, an engineer, popularized the square foot gardening method.
Rose’s Garden by Peter H. Reynolds
- Find it at the Tumble Book Library.
Garden books are for kiddos too! In Rose’s Garden, Reynolds spins a fantastical tale about a girl who travels the world in a teapot collecting seeds before settling down to plant her garden.
For more digital content about gardening with kids, check out Hella Rumschlag’s recommendations in “Ready, Set…Start Growing!”