Winter can be so cold, so icy, so grey, so dreary and so long! While this past winter’s ice and snow seemed endless — spring is finally here! And to help get you started on your springtime gardening, here are some resources from your library.
Gardening magazines on Libby are an excellent starting point and often feature up-to-the-minute trends; no doubt you’ll feel inspired to create something beautiful in your own space. A few titles like Gardeners World and ABC Organic Gardener are from the UK and Australia, respectively, and so reflect that perspective, but the information contained within those titles can easily be interpreted for use in U.S. gardens. But if you prefer print titles, the library has a robust collection of books on nearly every aspect of gardening, whether you’re into growing vegetables, deeply interested in soil science, are passionate about supporting native pollinators - or all three.
Ready to dig in? Whether you’re starting your first garden or refreshing your outdoor space, these books and magazines offer practical tips, creative ideas and plenty of inspiration to help your spring garden thrive.
A Seed Exchange is a wonderful program that provides free seeds to the community, and BCLS is fortunate enough to partner with two community organizations that distribute seed packets to anyone who asks. The Evesham Library partners with the Garden Club of Marlton to distribute seeds through the Marlton Seed Exchange initiative, with an emphasis on pollinator-friendly native plants. The Maple Shade Library partners with Sustainable Maple Shade to provide access to seeds through their Grab and Grow Seed Exchange program. Visit these library locations for more information!
The Rutgers Master Gardeners will visit the library system again this spring for their popular Ask the Master Gardeners program. There’s nothing they love more than looking at photos and samples of your diseased plants, trees and shrubs and puzzling out those terrible, leafy mysteries. Wondering if it’s a leaf spot or stress from drought? Ask the Master Gardeners!
Growing things in dirt is fundamentally good for us; study after study proves it. It’s also critically important for the environment and for the wildlife with whom we share our outdoor spaces. Enjoy these resources — available for free from the library — and embrace spring!
