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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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...
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 watering,...
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...
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
The American Horticultural Society Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening is a comprehensive yet beginner-friendly handbook for growing edible gardens from the foremost authority in American gardening.
Vegetable gardening made easy : simple tips & tricks to grow your best garden ever
Gala, Resh
Paper Book
Vegetable Gardening Made Easy is filled with over 80 quick and oh-so-useful tips for growing a successful organic food garden.
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 a quick-and-simple guide to garden care when there's no time to spare!
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...
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...
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...
Growing herbs for health, wellness, cooking, and crafts : includes 51 culinary herbs & spices, 25 recipes, and 18 crafts
Roman, Kim
Paper Book
This guide provides everything you need to know to start your own herb garden today. From soil preparation, lighting, how often to water, pests and disease prevention, important things to know when planting indoors versus outdoors, expert gardener and author Kim Roman shares invaluable tips for...
The Vertical Veg guide to container gardening : how to grow an abundance of herbs, vegetables and fruit in small spaces
Ridsdill Smith, Mark
Paper Book
Don't be confined by the space you have--grow all the food you want with this fruit and vegetable container gardening guide from the creator of "Vertical Veg!" If you long to grow your own tomatoes, zucchini, or strawberries, but thought you didn't have enough space, Mark Ridsdill...
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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