Books To Read

A listing of our recommended books to read. Many of the books in question are available for checkout within our public library system. Reading and learning bring joy to one’s life, so spend some time with these books to read because they’ll help you grow in a variety of ways.

Note that the book links contained on this page are affiliate links. If you make use of these links to purchase a book we may earn a small commission from the vendor…

Saving More Than Seeds: Practices and Politics of Seed Saving
by Catherine Phillips
Routledge
2013

Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners, 2nd ed.
by Suzanne Ashworth; edited by Kent Whealy; photography by David Cavagnaro
Seed Savers Exchange
2002

Saving Vegetable Seeds
by Fern Marshall Bradley
Storey Publishing
2014

The Seed Underground: A Growing Revolution to Save Food
by Janisse Ray
Chelsea Green Pub.
2012

The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Fruits, Trees, and Shrubs
by Robert Gough and Cheryl Moore-Gough
Storey Pub.
2011

Saving Seeds, Preserving Taste: Heirloom Seed Savers in Appalachia
by Bill Best
Ohio University Press
2013

Organic Seed Production and Saving: The Wisdom of Plant Heritage
by Bryan Connolly; C.R. Lawn, contributing editor; illustrated by Jocelyn Langer
Chelsea Green Pub.
2011

Seed Sowing and Saving: Step-By-Step Techniques for Collecting
by Carole B. Turner
Storey Communications
1998

Seedswap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds
by Josie Jeffery
Roost Books
2013

The Manual of Seed Saving: Harvesting, Storing, and Sowing Techniques for Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruits
Translation of: Handbuch Samenga rtnerei. Sorten erhalten. Vielfalt vermehren. Gemu se geniessen.
by Andrea Heistinger; Arche Noah, Pro Specie Rara; translated by Ian Miller
Timber Press
2013

The New Seed Starters Handbook
by Nancy Bubel
Rodale Books
1988

The Triumph of Seeds: How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses, and Pips Conquered the Plant Kingdom and Shaped Human History
by Thor Hanson
Basic Books
2015

How to Grow More Vegetables (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine, 8th ed.
by John Jeavons; [foreword by Alica Waters]
Ten Speed Press
2012

The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Heirloom Vegetables: The 100 Easiest-to-Grow, Tastiest Vegetables for Your Garden
by Marie Iannotti
Timber Press
2011

The Heirloom Life Gardener: The Baker Creek Way of Growing Your Own Food Easily and Naturally, 1st ed.
by Jere and Emilee Gettle; with Meghan Sutherland
Hyperion
2011

The New Vegetable Growers Handbook: A Users Manual for the Organic Vegetable Garden
by Frank Tozer
Green Man Pub.
2013

Mini Farming: Self Sufficiency on a 1/4 Acre
by Brett L. Markham
Skyhorse Pub.
2010

Raised-Bed Vegetable Gardening Made Simple: The Three-Module Home Vegetable Garden
by Raymond Nones
Countryman Press
2010

Heirloom Vegetable Gardening: A Master Gardener’s Guide to Planting, Growing, Seed Saving, and Cultural History, 1st ed.
by William Woys Weaver; photography by L. Wilbur Zimmerman; drawings by Signe Sundberg- Hall
Henry Holt and Company
1997

Food Gardens for a Changing World
by Daniela Soleri, David A. Cleveland, and Steven E. Smith
CABI Publishing
2019

Backyard Homesteading
by David Tohit
Creative Homeowner Press
2011

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
by Jill McSheehy
Callisto Media Inc
2020

The Truth About Organic Gardening: Benefits, Drawbacks, and the Bottom Line
by Jeff Gillman
Timber Press
2008

The Plant Propagator’s Bible
by Miranda Smith
Rodale
2007

Planting the Future: Saving Our Medicinal Herbs
edited by Rosemary Gladstar and Pamela Hirsch
Healing Arts Press
2000

Edible Landscaping, 2nd ed.
text and photographs by Rosalind Creasy
Sierra Club Books
2010

Epic Tomatoes: How to Select and Grow the Best Varieties of All Time
by Craig LeHoullier
Storey Publishing
2015

The Valley of Heart’s Delight: A Silicon Valley Notebook 1963-2001
by Michael S. Malone
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2002

Breeding Organic Vegetables

Breeding Organic Vegetables: A Step-by-Step Guide for Growers
by Rowen White and Bryan Connolly ; edited by Elizabeth Dyck ; illustrated by Stacy Wakefield2011

Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties: The Gardener’s and Farmer’s Guide to Plant Breeding and Seed Saving
by Carol Deppe
Little, Brown, and Co.
2000