When winter's last frost is gone and spring is in the air, it's time to think of gardening and all things green. Ask anyone who loves plants --- there's nothing like the feeling of working in the soil to bring forth beautiful flowers, herbs or vegetables.

Whether you're an old pro and know your way around the family garden or you're a beginner who can't wait to get started, we've got tons of books to show you the way to garden-growing fun. From tips on which tools to use and how to order seeds to nifty garden craft ideas, there's something here for every skill level.

So dig in, and show us your green thumbs!

THE CHILDREN'S KITCHEN GARDEN: A Book of Gardening, Cooking and Learning
by Georgeann Brennan, Ethel Brennan, et al.
Ten Speed Press
ISBN: 0898158737
Ages 5-up
144 pages

This book was inspired by a program run at a private school in California. On these pages you'll find out how to get down and dirty with the earth. In the process you'll grow herbs and vegetables and learn how to turn them into delicious delicacies. Recipes are included. Yum!

DOWN TO EARTH: Garden Secrets! Garden Stories! Garden Projects You Can Do!
by edited by Michael J. Rosen, with 41 Children's Book Authors and Illustrators
Harcourt Brace
ISBN: 0152013415
Ages 8-12
                                     64 pages

Do you have a green thumb? Even if you don't you'll enjoy reading the gardening tips and stories from more than 40 children's authors and illustrators. Jane Ray talks about the comfort of the great apple tree in the garden of her childhood home. Eve Bunting recalls plucking wildflowers from the Irish countryside where she lived as a child. And Lynne Cherry speaks of how her wild, untended garden welcomes birds, butterflies, bugs and all forms of local wildlife.

These wonderful anecdotes and the gorgeous artwork --- rendered in a vast array of styles --- may just inspire you to get your hands dirty. And if that's the case, you're in luck. In an extensive "Let's Get Growing" activities guide at the back of the book, the contributors provide step-by-step instructions for such things as pressing and drying flowers, growing a king-size watermelon, making a berry bird wreath, or tossing a dandelion salad. A detailed resources page tells you where to find what you'll need to get started. And in the true spirit of sharing a harvest, the proceeds from this book will benefit the anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. So pick up this book and then pick up a shovel. You'll be glad you did.

GARDEN CRAFTS FOR KIDS: 50 Great Reasons to Get Your Hands Dirty
by Dianne Rhoades
illustrated by Name
Sterling
ISBN: 0806909994
Ages 5-up

Chase boredom away with the fun and informative activities here. Contains super ideas on everything from organizing a garden tool station to growing potatoes in an old tire.

GREEN THUMB
by Rob Thomas
illustrated by Name
Publisher
ISBN: 0689817800
Ages 10-14
192 pages

Grady Jacobs is a science whiz. He's even won the national science fair, two years in a row. And he's only 13. Because of his talent, Grady is chosen to spend the summer in Brazil as part of an advanced research team that is working to save the rain forest. Many of the researchers don't take Grady seriously, because he's so young. But when he discovers some dangerous and weird science going on in the jungle, Grady stirs up quite a suspenseful adventure.

GREEN THUMBS: A Kid's Activity Guide to Indoor and Outdoor Gardening
by Laurie Carlson
illustrated by Name
Chicago Review Press
ISBN: 155652238X
                                     Ages 5-up
                                     144 pages

Whether you have a big yard to work with, or just a clay pot, there are plenty of tips here to help you become a successful gardener.

I CAN DO IT! GARDENING
by Ivan Bulloch and Diane James
illustrated by Daniel Pangbourne and Emily Hare
World Book
ISBN: 0716626020
Ages 7-11
32 pages

So, you want to start a garden. Where do you begin? A look through this helpful beginner's guide is a great place to start. Crisp color photos and clear watercolor illustrations provide all kinds of tips: how to select tools and plant seeds, and how to keep bugs from bugging your flowers, vegetables and herbs.

KIDS GARDENING: A Kid's Guide to Messing Around in the Dirt
by Kevin Raftery and Kim Gilbert Raftery
illustrated by Jim M'Guinness
Klutz
ISBN: 0932592252
Ages 5-up
92 pages

Discover how easy and fun it can be to grow a garden in this activity-filled book. There are suggestions for planting things indoors or outside, and the book comes packaged with a trowel (a small shovel) and seven packages of seeds to help you get started.

THE LOST FLOWER CHILDREN
by Janet Taylor Lisle
illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa
Philomel
ISBN: 0399233938
Ages 8-12
112 pages

When their mother dies, sisters nine-year-old Olivia and five-year-old Nellie are sent to live with their Great Aunt Minty. Unfortunately, Aunt Minty is very old and not very good with children. But Olivia and Nellie discover that there is fairy magic at work in Aunt Minty's big, wild garden: long ago a fairy spell turned a group of children into flowers. Could it be true? And can the girls break the spell?

MY BACKYARD GARDEN
by Carol Lerner
illustrated by Name
Publisher
ISBN: 0688147550
All ages
48 pages

So, you want to be a backyard gardener. This book has plenty of practical advice to get you started. Lerner tells you how to find the perfect spot to plant, what kinds of soil are best, where to order/buy seeds, etc. She also leads you through all the steps until it's time to harvest all your yummy vegetables.

ROOTS, SHOOTS, BUCKETS & BOOTS: Gardening Together with Children
by Sharon Lovejoy
illustrated by Name
Workman
ISBN: 0761110569
All ages
160 pages

Here's a terrific --- and inspirational --- gardening guide for the whole family. Lovejoy's plans for 12 different "theme" gardens will have you itching to get started. Using fun, informative step-by-step directions, she tells you how to plan and grow a Pizza Garden (a round pizza-shaped garden where you grow herbs and veggies that go great on pizza), a Flowery Maze, a Moon Garden (for flowers that bloom at night), and much, much more. Gentle watercolor illustrations make this book just as enjoyable to look at as it is to read.

THE KIDS CAN PRESS JUMBO BOOK OF GARDENING
by Karyn Morris
illustrated by Jane Kurisu
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1550746901
Ages 8-up
240 pages

In this thorough, easy-to-follow guide, you'll find all the information you'll need to grow a garden in your backyard, or even on a deck, balcony or rooftop. And the focus here is on organic, all-natural gardening, so you're sure that everyrhing you grow is the healthiest it can be. You'll also find ways to make your garden a rich habitat that attracts birds, butterflies and other living things.

Back to top.