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My family and I just moved into a new house with much more garden space, which meant that I could finally grow a vegetable garden. The planning of my vegetable patch sort of went like this: chili peppers, more chili peppers, and then we’ll see. In subsequent garden research I came across a vast wealth of tips and information sources that surprised me, a newish gardener.

YouTube had a great amount of helpful videos. Garden Answer, CaliKim29, and Pepper Joe (for you chili pepper fans) all had terrific ideas and inspiring presentations. I learned things like how to fertilize a garden simply and organically by using a diluted solution of fish fertilizer and Epsom salts or incoporating a blend of ideas to make a unique planter box . Another intriguing topic was making your own compost bin.

Another interesting thing I learned in a conversion with a patron here at the library, the city of Des Plaines will provide any of its residents with up to four free rain barrels. If this interests you, see the city's website for more info. My own particular town is not as generous, but they do offer a credit to your water bill if you provide them with a receipt of a rain barrel purchased from an establishment within city limits. If you do not live in Des Plaines, I encourage you to check your municiplaity's website to see if they provide any program for discounted or free rain barrels. While they obviously save money on the water bill, rain barrels also provide water free from chemicals and at an ambient temperature that plants enjoy.

Whether you have a green thumb or no, gardening can only be as exciting as you can make it. Check out these items in our catalog below for some more ideas and tips, and always remember the quote that my mom lives by, "As the garden grows, so does the gardener."