It really feels like the thaw is for real, and little bulbs are up, so gardening's on my mind. Here's a list of books that are great reads for new gardeners and gardeners interested in going green outdoors. All have information useful for gardening in Calgary, even the ones whose authors live south of us.

1. All New Square foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. This revised classic focuses on intensive gardening of edibles in small spaces rather than long rows, and is perfect for city gardeners.

2. Eco Yards by Laureen Rama. If you want to go lawn-less in Calgary, this is your go-to guide with excellent information on feeding plants and soil organically.

3. Creating the Prairie Xeriscape by Sara Williams. The updated edition about water-conserving gardens is on order. This is a must-read for its lists of suitable plants.

4. Naturescape Alberta by Myrna Pearman covers a lot of ground and would be a great elementary school teacher resource. It focuses mainly on creating animal and insect habits and is full of information on how to attract birds, frogs, and more.

Feel free to list your eco gardening favorites by commenting. . .