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
Ebook
A down-to-earth, complete manual for achieving great gardening results with your own rich, organic soil. All the secrets to rich, sustainable soil are revealed to you. You'll be amazed how easy it is to improve your garden or yard when you begin at ground level. Even...
The book of seeds : a life-size guide to six hundred species from around the world
Smith, P. P.
Ebook
"Deftly showcases 600 unique species from across the globe and reveals the wonders of nature. . . . Recommended." -- Library Journal Seeds are nature's consummate survivors. The next time you admire a field of waving green grassland or a stunning grove of...
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...
All new square foot gardening : the world's most popular growing method to harvest more food from less space
Paper Book
Over 3 million copies sold! This revolutionary gardening book gets a revolutionary update for its 4th edition--new plans, options, and advice herald a modern approach to this tried-and-true method. No digging, no tilling, no fertilizing, no machinery or heavy tools--less...
Grow food anywhere : how to plant the right crops in the right place and help your garden thrive
Chamberlain, Lucy
Paper Book
Each area of a garden offers a different environment for plants, with differing levels of sun, soil, moisture, and more. In this book, expert gardener and vegetable grower Lucy Chamberlain breaks down the environments you may find in your garden into seven zones, from sunny and...
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,...
Essential guide to organic vegetable gardening : techniques and know-how for planning, planting, and tending a home vegetable garden organically
American Horticultural Society
Paper Book
From the foremost authority in American gardening comes a must-have handbook for home gardeners who want a productive organic vegetable garden. In their first new book in over two decades, the American Horticultural Society offers indispensable insight into growing a...
Grow cook eat : a food lover's guide to vegetable gardening : including how to grow 50 vegetables, herbs, and fruits
Galloway, Willi
Paper Book
The conscious foodie's guide to growing and harvesting their own urban vegetable garden--featuring 50 profiles of common vegetables and herbs, plus 50 recipes for garden-to-table meals you'll want to make again and again. From sinking a seed into the soil to enjoying a meal made...
The 10-minute gardener : how to have a veggie garden and a life: 85 time-saving tactics to be more efficient and grow more food in less time
CaliKim
Paper Book
The 10-Minute Gardener is all about small efforts with a big impact. Learn quick-and-simple gardening tactics that let you have a garden and a life. If you've ever uttered the words "I don't have time to garden," this is the book for you. The 10-Minute...
Veg out : a stress-free guide to creating your first vegetable garden
Rodino, Heather
Paper Book
Beginner vegetable gardeners won't end up in the weeds with this accessible guide. Watching delicate seedlings sprout from the ground and plucking cute cherry tomatoes at the peak of ripeness--if this is your idea of living the dream, you'll want this friendly guide....
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...
Survival gardening : grow your own emergency food supply from seed to root cellar
Coffman, Sam
Paper Book
Learn how to grow your own food supply and be prepared just in case of an emergency with this essential guide by a survival skills expert. Become more resilient in the face of global crises and prepare yourself for supply chain disruptions by learning to grow your...
Rodale's basic organic gardening : a beginner's guide to starting a healthy garden
Martin, Deborah L.
Paper Book
When the inspiration hits to start an organic garden, many novices could benefit from a guidebook that speaks directly to their enthusiasm, their goals, and, of course, their need for solid information that speaks a newbie's language-from the most trusted source for organic gardening methods. In...
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...
Prairie up : an introduction to natural garden design
Vogt, Benjamin
Paper Book
Connecting to nature with native plants Landscaping with native plants has encouraged gardeners from the Midwest and beyond to embark on a profound scientific, ecological, and emotional partnership with nature. Benjamin Vogt shares his expertise with prairie plants in a richly photographed...

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