Gardening: Home
Develop your green thumb and learn how to take full advantage of your Manitoba garden with these resources.
Hello Gardening Enthusiasts!
From growing and harvesting your own food to creating a beautiful space, this guide will provide you with resources and information to get you started, or continuing, on your garden path.
Many varieties of plants grow in our hardiness Zone 3B. So do some research, do your best, but don't stress about it too much. Life will thrive in surprising conditions.
The home page has comprehensive links to gardening basics and also highlights soil and compost information. Look below to get the dirt on soil.
And whatever you choose to grow, Winnipeg Public Library is ready, willing and available to assist you in finding resources to support your gardening vision.
Watch online library gardening programs here.
Sign up for a library card here.
- GreenFILE This link opens in a new window
Concerned about our environment? Have a look at the Green File database that you can access with your Winnipeg Public Library card. It contains information out the environmental impacts of individuals, corporation and governments and what can be done to minimize negative impacts.
- Ask Us!Library staff love to answer questions! We're happy to take your questions, comments and feedback about:
*Your Library card/account
*Library services, programs, policies, etc.
*Problems with Library resources (i.e. eBooks/eMedia tech help)
We can also help you find quick facts, offer reading advice, provide answers to research questions, and more. If we don't have the answer we will direct you to appropriate resources.
Basic Gardening - eBooks
The Beginner's Guide to Starting a Garden by Publication Date: 2017326 fast, easy, affordable way to transform you yard, one project at a time.
Gardening For Dummies Three e-book Bundle by Publication Date: 2012This 3 book bundles covers all the basics and advanced general information for a gardener.
Urban Gardening for Dummies ebook by Publication Date: 2013The easy way to succeed at urban gardening.
Rocks, Dirt, Worms & Weeds A Fun, User-Friendly Illustrated Guide to Creating a Vegetable or Flower Garden with Your Kids eBook by Publication Date: 2012Teach your children how to start garden seeds indoors as well as how to prepare soil, plant seeds, and transplant seedlings.
Gardening - eCourses and Documentaries
The Science of Gardening 24 video eCourse on Kanopy by 
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Publication Date: 2018When scientists examine home gardens and landscapes, one fact stands out: The leading cause of landscape failure is not disease and it's not pests - it's our own gardening practices.
Going to Green - Season 1 by - This link opens in a new window
Publication Date: 2020Going To Green deals with the restoration of America's urban landscape through the creation of sustainable neighborhood ecosystems. Each chapter is devoted to a specific subject and is accompanied by a lesson with service learning extension activities.
Can You Dig This: A Documentary on Hoopla- This link opens in a new window
Publication Date: 2015As part of an urban gardening movement taking root in South LA, people are planting to transform their neighbourhoods and are changing their own lives in the process.This is a story of the human spirit, inspiring people everywhere to pick up their shovels and "plant some shit".
Find it on HOOPLA.
Seed: The Untold Story- A Documentary on Kanopy- This link opens in a new window
Publication Date: 2016SEED: THE UNTOLD STORY follows passionate seed-keepers protecting our 12,000 year-old food legacy. These farmers, scientists, lawyers and indigenous people are fighting a David and Goliath battle to defend the future of our food. Winner of 15 international film festival awards, including the Environmental Award at Sheffield Doc/Fest.
Plant Science; An Introduction to Botany on Kanopy- This link opens in a new window
Publication Date: 2017Proximity to plants tends to make us happy, even if we don't notice, offering unique pleasures and satisfactions. Open your eyes to the phenomenal and exciting world of botany!
How To Grow Anything ; 6 episode series from Kanopy- This link opens in a new window
Publication Date: 2013Gardening is one of life's great pleasures. It offers bountiful wonders - flowers, grasses, fruits, vegetables, trees - that bring you closer to the natural world.
Gardening in Manitoba - Useful Links
- Garden Centres in Manitoba - Yellow pagesA yellow pages list of garden centres in Manitoba.
- Manitoba Master Gardener AssociationThe umbrella group for Garden clubs and societies in Manitoba.
- Manitoba Master Gardener Association CalendarCalendar of events for gardeners in Manitoba including workshops, exhibits and presentations.
- Government of Canada Gardening Safety TipsMore Canadians are discovering the pleasures and rewards of gardening, but the activities involved in creating and maintaining a garden are not without some health hazards.
- Food Matters ManitobaFood Matters Manitoba cultivate leadership by working with community partners, public policy makers, and youth to develop strategies and take action towards a food secure Manitoba where everyone has everything they need to eat well, all the time.
- The Manitoba Horticultural AssociationManitoba horticulture information includes a list of horticultural societies in Manitoba and a quarterly newsletter with local information.
Soil and Dirt - eBooks
Composting: How to Plan, Build, and Maintain Your Own Compost System for a Healthy and Vibrant Garden by Publication Date: 2019Composting takes you step by step through everything you need to nourish your garden—and build healthy, rich soil. (Also in Print Collection)
Soil Science for Gardeners by Publication Date: 2020Healthy soil means thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing your soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack an in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem. Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere - the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health. (Also in Print collection)
Garden Alchemy by Publication Date: 2020Garden Alchemy is a hands-on guide for do-it-yourself gardeners who want to turn their garden into gold using natural recipes and herbal concoctions (while saving both time and money!). (Also in Print Collection)
Composting for a New Generation by Publication Date: 2017Covers the modern composting techniques, traditional bin composting, vermicomposting, composting with nature, keyhole gardens, organic composting, and using compost.(Also in Print Collection)
Worms Eat My Garbage by Publication Date: 2017Small-scale, self-contained worm bins can be kept indoors, in a basement, or even under the kitchen sink in an apartment -- making vermicomposting a great option for city dwellers and anyone who doesn't want or can't have an outdoor compost pile. (Also in Print collection)
Soil and Dirt - Useful Links
- Government of Manitoba - Gardening and Soil ContaminantsIs the soil in my community suitable for gardening? Manitoba Government FAQs
- Green Action Centre - CompostingThe Green Action Centre provides free workshops on how to compost, whether you have a yard or not.
- City of Winnipeg Water and Waste Compost InformationThe City of Winnipeg's Water and Waste department provides information on composting and also disposing of yard waste.
- Compost WinnipegHelp you set up a compost program, manage your organic waste (food scraps, coffee grounds, paper towels, etc.) and make sure it's responsibly composted.
- Earth Easy - Worm Composting Basics for BeginnersDon't have an outdoor space. Check out vermicomposting. On this blog you'll find basic information to get your started.
- Community Compost Sites in WinnipegAre you unable to compost at home and looking for a place to take your compostable materials? There are numerous community compost sites in Winnipeg coordinated by a variety of organizations.
Community Organizations
- Manitoba Master Gardener's Association - Garden ClubsA list of garden clubs in Manitoba and their current activities.
- Gardens ManitobaGardens Manitoba is a local, non-profit charitable organization focusing on events to raise funds for community gardening projects and programs to provide resources, information and outreach for horticultural promotion, education and enjoyment.
- Daniel McIntyre/St. Matthews Community Association (DMSCA) Community Greening InformationThe Daniel McIntyre / St Matthews Neighbourhood Greening Plan (2016-2021) was developed with input from community members and aims to outline a broad framework for creating a more green and sustainable Daniel McIntyre/St Matthews neighbourhood.
- Riverview Gardening SocietyThe Garden Society is made up of a group of enthusiastic gardeners who pay an annual fee in exchange for an allotted garden space in the Riverview Gardens.
- Spence Neighbourhood Association Environment and Open SpacesThe Spence Neighbourhood Association encourage the community to maintain the green spaces, boulevards, and their home areas. This link includes locations of Tot Lots and Community Gardens and a Community Gardens application.
- Sustainable South Osborne Community Co-opThe Sustainable South Osborne Community Co-op converts barren public land to fruitful garden spaces. Building community, developing resiliency, and growing food along the way. We maintain a commons in our neighbourhood, partner with like-minded people, and share produce with family, friends, and neighbours.
- West Broadway Community Organization - GreeningA not-for-profit, charitable organization working to coordinate and support social and economic development efforts in Winnipeg’s West Broadway neighbourhood.
- Winnipeg Community Garden NetworkThis site is the first time WCGN has gone online. It is therefore the very beginning of what will one day be a reliable, up-to-date resource for all gardeners across the city to connect. A wiki is a shared web space open to all interested individuals. As long as you have an administrative 'key' you are able to edit and change it as you like. To receive this key, please email:
winnipegcgnetwork@gmail.com.
"Gardening is learning, learning, learning. That's the fun of them, you're always learning." Helen Mirren