Library of Gardening Resources

Gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby. However, it can also be overwhelming, especially for a beginner. There is so much information that a gardener must learn in order to become successful at his or her craft. These links will provide you with useful gardening information and resources that will hopefully help you with growing your own garden.

Composting

• How to Compost: A wealth of information on composting for both beginners and experts.

• The EPA's Composting Page: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency teaches you how to reduce, reuse, and recycle by composting.

• NRCS's Guide to Composting: Find out how to make and use composts in your garden from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

• The U.S. Composting Council: The USCC is a non-profit organization that promotes the recycling of organic materials through composting.

• Ohio State University's Composting Fact Sheet: Learn the benefits of composting, and how to prepare and use your own compost at home.

• Composting Toilet World: Find out everything you want to know about composting toilets.

• How to Build a Compost Bin: Learn how to build a compost bin from the University of Missouri.

Conservation and Biodiversity

• Biodiversity and Conservation: The Web of Life: Read about the importance of biodiversity and discover ways you can help to preserve it.

• AMNH's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation: Find out what the American Museum of Natural History is doing in the realm of biodiversity and conservation, and find out what you can do.

• Biodiversity Conservation Alliance: This organization is working to protect the wilderness in Wyoming and surrounding states.

• Biodiversity Conservation Network: Established in 1999, the BCN searches for ways to get businesses to practice conservation.

• Conservation International: CI promotes sustainable living in order to protect biodiversity.

• Institute of Biodiversity Conservation: Ethiopia’s Center of Diversity aims to conserve and sustainably use the country’s vast range of biological resources.

• The Nature Conservancy: This organization has been working to protect nature since 1951.

Floriculture

• International Floriculture Expo: Find out more about this event that showcases floriculture supplies and exhibits.

• OFA's List of Floriculture Magazines: Links to the websites of different floriculture magazines.

• Oklahoma State University's Floriculture Plant Index: A large list of different flowers. Click on the flower’s name to see a color photograph of what it looks like.

• American Floral Endowment: Read about floriculture research and get information on floriculture scholarships.

• Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture: Read about floriculture news, events, publications, facts, and more.

• Floricultural Science: Website developed by North Carolina State University, featuring information on floriculture.

• AgMRC's Floriculture Page: Agricultural Marketing Resource Center’s floriculture page. Contains an overview of floriculture, as well as links to research and other resources.

Hydroponics

• University of Arizona's Hydroponics Page: Detailed explanation of what hydroponics is all about.

• Hydroponics Facts: This page by the State University of New York at Oswego explains the advantages and disadvantages of hydroponics.

• Hydroponics.org: Information on hydroponics and products to help you grow a hydroponic garden.

• Research on Hydroponics: Read abstracts from the University of Southern California’s hydroponics research.

• Hydroponics as a Hobby: Everything you need to know to get started with hydroponics.

• Hydroponic Culture for the Tropics: This page explains hydroponics and different growing systems.

Pests and Diseases

• Garden Insect and Pest Control: Links to read about many different types of garden pests and how to protect your garden.

• Manage and Identify Pests: Read about common pests and diseases that affect certain plants.

• Pest Library: Learn how to prevent and control different pests and diseases.

• Garden Pests and Diseases: Learn natural ways to protect your garden.

• Plant Disease Management: A good resource to find out ways to deal with plant diseases.

• 10 Steps to Prevent Garden Diseases: A PDF file that lists simple measures you can take to prevent disease in your garden.

• Dealing with Insects and Diseases: Tips to prevent and solve problems associated with pests and disease in your garden.

Kid’s Gardening Links

• My First Garden: Easy instructions for planting specific types of seeds for kids.

• KidsGardening.org: Resources on gardening for kids for both families and teachers.

• Kid's Compost Page: A simple recipe for kids to make their own compost.

• Horticulture for Kids: This site goes over tips for gardening with kids, nutrition, making composts, and more.

• Winter Gardening Activities for Kids: Fun gardening-related activity suggestions for kids to do while they wait for more intensive gardening activities in the spring.

• The Great Plant Escape: Interactive mystery stories that teach children about plants.

Gardening Associations and Organizations

• America in Bloom: This organization encourages communities to incorporate plants, flowers, and trees into their neighborhoods through fun competitions.

• American Horticultural Society: Providing people with the education they need to become successful gardeners.

• American Society for Horticultural Science: Publications, conferences, and news related to horticultural science.

• Herb Society of America: Organization that educates people on herbs.

• North American Rock Garden Society: Organization focused on growing flowers in rock gardens.

• American Rose Society: Educating people all about roses.

• American Fern Society: This organization is over 100 years old and aims to raise the public’s interest in ferns.

Garden Clubs

• The Gardeners of America: These clubs promote gardening education and community beautification.

• National Home Gardening Club: Gardening tips, contests, projects, and more.

• National Garden Clubs, Inc.: The largest volunteer gardening organization in the world.

• The Garden Club of America: Getting the word out about the importance of gardening and conservation.

• Canadian Garden Clubs: A list of gardening clubs in Canada.

• Home Depot Garden Club: Great resource for tips and gardening projects.

Publications

• Birds and Blooms: Resource for birds, gardening and butterflies.

• Organic Gardening: All you need to know about growing an organic garden.

• Gardens West: Western Canadian magazine with information on gardens, bugs, and birds.

• Fine Gardening: Information on how to grow beautiful, decorative gardens.

• Practical Hydroponics and Greenhouses: Resource for those interested in hydroponic gardening and greenhouse technologies.

• Urban Garden Magazine: Magazine for people growing their own food at home.

• Maximum Yield: Read about how to grow an indoor garden.