YPL Seed Library

Grow. Food. Anywhere. is the must-have guide for anyone who has ever had a desire to grow their own food. Authors Mat and Dillon, of the Little Veggie Patch Co. provide a comprehensive and authoritative guide to gardening in any space, all in their own unique and entertaining style. Whether you've got a balcony, a tiny courtyard, or a patch of reclaimed dirt in a shared neighbourhood space, this book offers inspiration - and instruction - for growing good things to eat.

The book has three sections: What Plants Need; Fruit and Veg to Grow; and Pests and Diseases to Know. These chapters cover everything from: why soil matters; composting; how to make a wicking garden; how to select the right growing style; what to plant and when; harvesting; troubleshooting; pruning; and more. Grow. Food. Anywhere. is presented with a combination of photographs, illustrations, and a playful, engaging design that very much mirrors the refreshing no-nonsense approach of the book's two accomplished and articulate young authors, and their thriving gardening business.

Discover 15 plants and fungi with life-changing powers and learn how to grow them at home.

Meet their surprising relatives (the tasty tomato is a cousin of deadly nightshade!) and unearth their interesting stories (lettuce was the first plant to be grown in space!). Then follow step-by-step instructions to grow and care for each one, whether you have a big backyard garden or a sunny windowsill.

Written by horticulturalist Riz Reyes and fully illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows, this is the perfect introduction to growing plants for families everywhere.

How does a tiny acorn grow into an enormous oak tree? This classic Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out picture book shows how little seeds become the plants and trees that surround us.

Now rebranded with a new cover look, this book includes a find out more activity section with a simple experiment encouraging kids to discover what a seed needs to grow. Both text and artwork were expert-reviewed for accuracy.

This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades and supports the Common Core Learning Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Let's-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.

Do plants really move? Absolutely!

You might be surprised by all ways plants can move. Plants might not pick up their roots and walk away, but they definitely don't sit still! Discover the many ways plants (and their seeds) move. Whether it's a sunflower, a Venus flytrap, or an exotic plant like an exploding cucumber, this fascinating picture book shows just how excitingly active plants really are.

"With a doctorate in biology, Hirsch understands her subject, but equally important is her ability to communicate with well-chosen words that make the ideas fun and memorable for children.... A new way to see the plants around us."--starred, Booklist

"Colorful, exuberant illustrations work impressively with the text....Excellent collaboration produced a winner: graceful, informative, and entertaining."--starred, Kirkus Reviews

“[A]n an incredibly handy manual full of information on how to grow plants in small spaces.” —GOOP
The beginner’s complete guide to urban, small space and container gardening from “our windowsill guru.” —Bon Appétit

This vibrant updated 2nd edition includes 30 earthy recipes for the vegetables from your edible garden and 50 gorgeous inspirational color photographs and illustrations.

No matter how small your space, you can grow an edible garden and enjoy home cooked meals from your harvest! With this stunning comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the basics of gardening in pots and containers, find small windowsill and countertop projects, and receive specific recommendations for plants that grow well in containers. Also included are 30 simple recipes you can make with your harvest, from Zucchini Fritters to Herby Pasta with Lettuce and Prosciutto, to Rosy Strawberry Buttermilk cake.

You’ll learn all about:
   • the best containers and pots 
   • DIY planter boxes
   • tools and supplies 
   • soil for containers
   • feeding and watering 
   • simple pruning 
   • cooking with your harvest
   • and much more

“With this guide, your garden can be as productive as you’d like, no matter the size." —Modern Farmer