Seed Library 2026

The Rochester Public Library Seed Library officially kicks off for 2026 on Saturday, February 28th. Explore this list of gardening books and learn how to plan and grow your own food, and then begin your own seed saving & sharing efforts.

Updated January 15, 2026
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Cattail moonshine & milkweed medicine : the curious stories of 43 amazing North American native plants
Hartung, Tammi
Paper Book
International Herb Association's  2017 Thomas DeBaggio Book Award Winner 2016 Silver Nautilus Book Award Winner History, literature, and botany meet in this charming tour of how humans have relied on plants to nourish, shelter, heal,...
Building soil : a down-to-earth approach : natural solutions for better gardens and yards
Murphy, Elizabeth
Paper Book
If you want methods that won't break your back, are good for the environment, and create high-yielding, beautiful gardens of all shapes and sizes, this is the book for you!
The complete guide to saving seeds : 322 vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruits, trees, and shrubs
Gough, Robert E.
Paper Book
Enjoy your favorite varieties of garden plants year after year with this comprehensive guide to gathering, preparing, and planting seeds.     Authors Robert Gough and Cheryl Moore-Gough provide simple instructions that clearly explain the whole process, from...
The seed garden : the art and practice of seed saving
Colley, Micaela
Paper Book
Winner of the American Horticultural Society Award for Excellence In Garden Book Publishing Winner of the Silver Medal for Best Reference from the Garden Writer's Association Filled with advice for the home gardener and the more seasoned horticulturist alike,...
The wildlife-friendly vegetable gardener : how to grow food in harmony with nature
Hartung, Tammi
Paper Book
Promoting a holistic ecological view, Tammi Hartung encourages you to invite wildlife into your garden. You'll be amazed at how a variety of natural pollinators, pest predators, and soil enrichers can promote vibrant and healthy vegetables. Discover how a slug problem disappears once you've...
Start a community food garden : the essential handbook
Joy, LaManda.
Paper Book
Recommended by the American Community Gardening Association Community gardening enhances the fabric of towns and cities through social interactions and accessibility to fresh food, creating an enormously positive effect in the lives of everyone it touches....
How to garden indoors & grow your own food year round : ultimate guide to vertical, container, and hydroponic gardening
Roman, Kim
Paper Book
No room to garden outside? No problem! A complete guide filled with a host of valuable information and DIY projects, Ultimate Guide to Indoor Gardening shares all the knowledge on how to grow a variety of foods inside your home. From growing vegetables, microgreens, and herbs to hydroponic...
Gardening for everyone : growing vegetables, herbs, and more at home
Watkins, Julia
Paper Book
A guide to creating and growing a backyard garden simply and sustainably--from planning to planting to harvest, with profiles of essential vegetables and herbs, ecological tips, and fun and creative projects Growing food in your backyard (or even on a porch or windowsill!)...
Heirloom vegetable gardening : a master gardener's guide to planting, seed saving, and cultural history
Weaver, William Woys
Paper Book
"This book is sure to be a modern classic and is one of the most important books on gardening in the current century." --Jere Gettle, founder, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Heirloom Vegetable Gardening has always been a book for gardeners and...
Mini farming : self sufficiency on a 1/4 acre
Markham, Brett L.
Paper Book
Go back to basics--compost, raising chickens, water and irrigation, dealing with pests, and much more--with this unique, full color bestseller (over 400,000 sold). Mini Farming describes a holistic approach to small-area farming that will show you how to produce 85 percent...
Herb gardening from the ground up : everything you need to know about growing your favorite herbs
Gilbertie, Sal
Ebook
Garden-fresh herbs impart flavor and fragrance that dried, packaged products simply can't. Now, anyone with access to a few square yards of soil (or even a sunny patio or windowsill) can enjoy the punch and pungency that only come from fresh herbs, hand-picked from the garden. Herb Gardening...
The weekend homesteader : a twelve-month guide to self-sufficiency
Hess, Anna
Ebook
The Weekend Homesteader is organized by month--so whether it's January or June you'll find exciting, short projects that you can use to dip your toes into the vast ocean of homesteading without getting overwhelmed. If you need to fit homesteading into a few hours each weekend and would like...

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