Gardening with the Library

Close up of seed envelopes in the Seed Library cabinet at Preston.

This spring, grow the garden of your dreams with help from your library.

Titles for Gardeners

Whether you are starting to develop your green thumb or looking to expand your gardening skills, explore your library for an extensive collection of gardening and seed-saving books for inspiration and guidance. Also available is a variety of gardening magazines, including Birds and Blooms, Canada’s Local Gardener, and Fine Gardening. You can search for titles and gardening topics using the online library catalogue.

Libraries of Seeds

Don’t worry about a trip to the garden centre for seeds. You can get started with free seeds from the library.

The Seed Library at Preston boasts a wealth of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, including native plants that help support local pollinators. 

Starting mid-March, a Little Seed Library is available at all other locations, stocked with the most sought-after seeds. Feel free to take as many as you need and at the end of the growing season, consider saving seeds to donate to the Seed Library.

Tools for Gardening

You will also find the tools to prepare and maintain your garden at the library. Gardening tools are available to borrow from Preston for up to seven days with your membership. Borrow rakes, spades, and cultivators to plant your garden in the spring, and then maintain your outdoor oasis all summer with weed removers, lawn edgers, shears, and more.

Skip the line and borrow some of the most popular tools with Express Tools at Preston. This collection features some of the most popular tools available from the Tool Library. Members can borrow sought-after items for a quick seven-day loan, as they are readily available in the library. Please note that Express Tools cannot be reserved or renewed, making them perfect for last-minute gardening projects. To check the availability of tools for immediate borrowing, visit Preston or call ahead.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or an enthusiastic beginner, your library has the resources to help you plant the perfect garden.