As spring approaches, plant the seed to read

Even though there are few weeks before we set the clocks forward for daylight saving time, the first day of spring is almost here, and it’s time to think of springy things ? like gardens and flowers and the promise of fresh vegetables and juicy ripe fruits. As the days grow longer and warmer, this is the time to begin making plans for the garden.

Gardening is like golf. There are skills involved and a certain pride in accomplishment. The bottom line, however, is that golfing and gardening offer the immeasurable benefit of being outdoors engaged in an activity in which time, if it doesn’t exactly stop, at least slows down. And life in slow motion allows us to see and hear and smell our surroundings and feel truly alive.

Goodness knows there’s enough work in a garden just in maintaining it and keeping it weeded and pest-free. But if it’s time to think about your choice of annuals or if you are starting from scratch, don’t forget one of the most valuable resources at your disposal: your library.

There are many fine plant nurseries in the area, and they are a source of practical advice. But to begin the planning phase or just to get some great ideas for traditional (or environmentally friendly) gardens, use the library. There are tons of books on gardening and landscaping. Whether you have a patio and a patch of dirt or a spacious expanse of ground, the ideas are all here.

Just browse through some of these titles: “Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls,” “Seaside Gardening,” “Ortho’s All About Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies,” “Container Gardening,” “Plants for Dry Climates,” “Garden Gates and Arches,” “Homescaping: Designing Your Landscape to Match Your Home” and “Allergy-free Gardening.” And that’s just for starters.

There are gardening books that focus on bulbs or fruit trees or herbs or vegetables. Others concentrate on “hardscaping” ? furniture, rocks, sculpture. Some specialize in water features like fountains, ponds and waterfalls. There are garden books that deal with emphasizing colors or fragrances. Some cover native plants, and some deal with growing exotics in greenhouses. Some books offer tours of the world’s famous gardens. Others get more philosophical and focus on the Zen or feng shui of your garden.

The library is many things, but, perhaps most importantly, it is a repository of ideas. That means Plato and Einstein and William F. Buckley. But ideas exist in all fields, not just in philosophy and physics and politics. Getting ideas on how to express your personality and the personality of your home is just as important. The peace and contentment that accompany beautifying your life are an added bonus in a busy world.