Horticultural Reference Library
The Elizabeth F. Gamble Horticultural Library is a non-circulating reference library for use on-site by the public, volunteers, and horticultural staff. We are thrilled to share it with you!
To use: The library is currently closed through March 2023 for renovations. In April, the collection is available in the Gamble Garden Main House during open hours 9am-2pm. Click below to access library titles through our online catalog. You may search the catalog via your laptop or iPhone at the library; or, search it from home before you visit.
Type in search words for author, title or subject and click the appropriate button. If you are not sure of the exact title or subject, type in a word or two and search both files. Press a highlighted (blue) title to see the Item’s detail page which might give more searching ideas.
Note: the catalog is not forgiving of misspellings and the search help button does not apply to Gamble.
Books are arranged in the library by an alphabetical call number system, a common classification used in colleges and specialized libraries, which is sorted by letter first and then by number. For example, QL464 comes before SB419 which is followed by SB450.
We welcome your comments and feedback on our new catalog!
New Additions
These books are either in our New Book shelf in the library or else on the shelves with the other books. If so, to find them, look for their “call number”, or location “number” on the library’s shelves.
The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables by Lorene Edwards Forker. To find it in the library, look for: Whether your garden grows in the ground, on a balcony, or in containers on a sunny patio, this book profiles popular plants as well as facts about soil and sun and tips on fertilizing, mulching, and watering. Regional planting charts show what to plant when, and a month-by-month planner takes you from January through December.
Gardening in Summer-Dry Climates; Plants for Lush Water-Conscious Landscapes by Nora Harlow. To find it in the library, look for Guide to a thriving, largely self-sustaining garden of native and climate- adapted plants for summer-dry, winter-wet climates of North America’s Pacific coast. By knowing what these climates share and how and why they differ, you can make gardens that maintain and expand local and regional biodiversity.
The Orchid Whisperer: Expert Secrets for Growing Beautiful Orchids by Bruce Rogers. To find it in the library, look for SB409 ROGHighly recommended book with professional secrets for blooming, repotting, spotting hazards and pests, grooming, and decorating orchids. Perfect for beginners and experts alike.
Peony: the Best Varieties for Your Garden by David Michener & Carol Adelman. To find it in the library, look for SB413.P4 MIC 2017This is the only book on the topic with complete growing information for 194 of the best varieties with lists of peonies for specific needs. Also contains plant history and lush photos.
The Vegetable Gardener’s Container Bible: How to Grow a Bounty of Food in Pots, Tubs, and Other Containers by Edward C. Smith. To find it in the library, look for SB418 SMIContainer gardening, noting soil formulas, layouts, ease of tending, portability, and controlling insect and disease problems.
What’s Wrong with My Houseplant? Save Your Indoor Plants With 100% Organic Solutions by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth. To find it in the library, look for SB419 DEAIncludes plant profiles for 148 plants organized by type with visual keys to the most of common problems, and the related organic solutions.
Worms Eat My Garbage, 35th Anniversary Edition: How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System: Compost Food Waste, Produce Fertilizer for Houseplants and Garden, and Educate Your Kids and Family by Mary Appelhof and others. To find it in the library, look for S661 APPFully revised 35th anniversary edition of a classic in high demand.
Children's Books
Books for children are now available at the Gamble Library! Take your little ones to the Gamble Library and introduce them to the wonders of gardens and the magic of reading. We have a variety of garden-themed titles including “The Vegetables We Eat”, “The Curious Garden”, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”, and more. Look for the children’s book basket, choose a book, and settle on the window bench with your young reader curled up on your lap.
Available Titles
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown.
A Walk in the Forest by Maria Dek.
We are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines & kids.
The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons.
It Starts With a Seed by Laura Knowles.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.
Botanicum curated by Katie Scott and Kathy Willis.
