The Library has so many amazing services: Book Bundles, Activities to Go, curbside pick up, and more. But there is one tasty service that you may not know about: our community gardens.

And right now, it's harvesting time at Toledo Heights.

The Toledo Heights Branch has basil, peppermint, green beans, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, all ready to be picked. Plus, we are growing carrots that will be ready mid-fall. There are also community gardens at Birmingham, Lagrange, Locke, and Maumee branches.

The community garden is a great learning tool for kids. It shows them where vegetables come from and how they grow. And there are even fun activities you can do with the plants. The basil and peppermint are both naturally fragrant, but if you rub the leaves, the scent gets more intense. Why is that? It's because crushing the plant releases the essential oils. Can you spot pollinators in our garden? Even late into the season, small insects are getting pollen from the blooms on the basil and peppermint.

While you are at the Library picking up materials, pick some veggies too. You can also pick up these books to incorporate with the garden: