“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Cicero
Tulips and daffodils are popping up all over town. The trees on Maine Street are blooming their beautiful white flowers and look particularly pretty at night all lit up. There is a hint of mowed grass in the air this morning at the library. Spring is here and it’s time to think about planting a garden. What will it be? Vegetables, flowers or fruit? Perhaps a combination of all three? A perusal of your home library is a good starting place for information and inspiration. A trip to the library might be in order as well. The library has many gardening titles; some of them brand new. A sampling of print books are the following:
Fine Gardening Pocket Gardening: “Design Ideas for Small Space Gardening” from the Editors & Contributors of Fine Gardening includes the basics of small space gardening including soil preparation, drip irrigation, and maximizing your harvest. The pictures are an added plus.
Five-Plant Gardens: “52 Ways to Grow a Perennial Garden with Just Five Plants” by Nancy J. Ondra begins by explaining why five plants are enough and takes it from there. The combination of photographs and colored line drawings make it a visual feast.
The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener: “How to Grow Food in Harmony” with Nature by Tammi Hartung is full of hints and tips for gardening with critters in mind from blocking access to plants that repel rodents. It is beautifully illustrated by Holly Ward Bimba.
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: “The Ultimate Gardening Guide” edited by Kathleen Norris Brenzel really is the ultimate gardening book. It is the standard and includes everything you need to know to garden in your area. It includes tips for flowers, vegetable and what is native to each region.
The library also has gardening, canning and cookbooks available electronically through Overdrive, a new service supplying e-books which can be accessed and downloaded to your Kindle, Nook or other device from the Library website. Check it out at www.churchillcountylibrary.org.
Upcoming events include ...
Storytime
The library offers Storytime each Wednesday at 10:30-11:30 a.m. The program includes books, stories and a craft.
Iris Show
The public is invited to display irises at the library from May 19-31. Bring flowers or stop by to enjoy the colorful and fragrant display. The event is sponsored by the Lahontan Valley Garden Club.
Springtime offers a chance to grow your plants and the library offers a chance to grow your mind. “…everything you need” according to Cicero.
Carol Lloyd is the director of the Churchill County Library. She is available at the library or by email at celloyd@clan.lib.nv.us.