Explore Local Gardening Resources and Library Programs

Spring is in the air, and across the Lowcountry, we can see the signs. Azaleas are blooming, gardens are coming awake, and the air is alive with the scent of green, growing things.  And of course, our annual nemesis pollen is back in action. While allergies may keep you from enjoying spring weather outdoors, you can bring springtime inside (and keep it there year-round) by adding plants to your interior spaces.  If gardening is more your style, many gardening clubs and nurseries are gearing up for springtime planting.  And if you’re looking for a good book about plants, the library is the place for you!

Incorporating plants into your lifestyle can improve mood, air quality, and provide a fun hobby that encourages mental well-being. Enjoy being outside? Start a garden or join a local gardening group. Prefer sitting inside and reading a nice book? Add some indoor plants for ambiance! Not sure where to start? The library has a book for that!  And if you’re looking to get involved in plants and gardening, consider visiting one of our plant-based library programs. We have composting talks, plant swaps, gardening lectures, and much more happening at our various Beaufort County Library branches! 

Our libraries are excellent resources for plant care and cultivation. Whether you’re checking out Martha Stewart’s Gardening Handbook at the library or borrowing 1,001 Gardening Tips and Tricks from Hoopla’s digital collection, there are thousands of resources available with the swipe of a library card. Visit a Plant Swap at the Hilton Head or Lobeco library branches to trade free plants and offload cuttings and propagations. Come to a talk about Local Pollinators at the Beaufort Library or build your own Wine Glass Terrariums at the Port Royal Branch! All these programs are just the tip of the iceberg—check out our Nature and Gardening programs on the calendar to see all sorts of plant-based events coming to a library near you!

The library isn’t your only resource for all things plants! Check out some of our local community partners: The Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Audubon, Clemson Cooperative Extension, Lowcountry Master Gardener Association, Port Royal Sound Foundation, and many more!  Both the Coastal Discovery Museum and the Port Royal Sound Foundation are hosting native plant sales this spring, which can help you support local species in your own backyard. You don’t need to be a green thumb to enjoy plants and gardening, just a library card and a good book or library program to get you started!