Petaluma Library Garden

Next to the main entrance to the Sonoma County Regional Library, the Petaluma Library Garden is habitat for birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects and critters. Originally a weedy patch of lawn, it is designed to provide interest in all four seasons using drought tolerant plants to serve as inspiration for the home gardener. Always a work in progress, it is gradually transitioning to more native plants to showcase a local resilient landscape. Not only is the garden a welcoming entrance to the library, but it is also a popular spot for reading, relaxing, and strolling. Twice a week, the children’s librarians host story time in the garden.

During library hours, Master Gardeners often can be seen pruning, planting, and generally spiffing up the garden. They always welcome comments and questions from the public. Master Gardeners host an information table at the library entrance each Tuesday from March through November providing answers to gardening questions and offering information about our garden to the public.

A spring succulent swap is organized by Master Gardeners and library staff. The eagerly anticipated event encourages community members to pick up and/or share succulent starts for drought-tolerant home gardens.

The Master Gardeners’ Children’s Summer Program, in coordination with the library’s summer reading program, provides gardening-related activities to inspire future gardeners.

Petaluma gardeners can avail themselves of free vegetable and ornamental seed packets donated by local garden supply stores. Master Gardeners maintain the seeds in the old wooden card catalog inside the library along with seasonal planting literature.

The Master Gardener volunteer team at the Petaluma Library Garden endeavors to provide the community with information and resources to enhance their own waterwise and firewise home gardens.

Petaluma Library Garden for habitat, photo by Mimi Enright

Petaluma Library Garden raised bed, photo by Mimi Enright

Petaluma Library Garden - The Garden of Reading, photo by Mimi Enright

February 2023