Did you know at Ritchie’s we still read books to keep up with expert advice on gardening, hobby farming, wild birds, and backyard living? Trends come and go, but a solid book is the kind of resource you’ll reach for year after year, especially when you’re trying to figure out what works in real life here in Ontario.
Family Literacy Day is the perfect excuse to slow down, read together, and support local creators. And since we’re a “learners” kind of store, we’re sharing both local author picks and a list of trusted, long-running favourites that gardeners and growers keep recommending.
Read Local: Family Literacy Day Picks
If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good read that supports local creators, start here:
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Priscille Joseph — My First ABC Book of House Plants
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Allan E. Carty & Gloria Lauris (Illustrated by Sarah Woronchak) — Let the Badventures Begin: Backyard Buddies (Books 1–3)
Swing by and grab a copy at our Windmill Lane location or online, because building strong readers starts at home (and supporting local makes it even better).
Ritchie’s Recommended Reads
These are the kinds of books customers ask for again and again; practical, easy to follow, and worth keeping on the shelf.
Best for Gardening in Zones 4–6
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The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener — Nikki Jabbour
A Canadian-friendly favourite that’s especially helpful for cool climates, season extension, and getting more harvest out of shorter summers. -
Four-Season Harvest — Eliot Coleman
A classic for pushing the season earlier and later with cold frames, row covers, and smart timing.
Best Vegetable Growing Book
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The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible — Edward C. Smith
One of the most recommended all-around veggie books: clear, thorough, and great for beginners who want to do it “right” without getting overwhelmed. -
Square Foot Gardening — Mel Bartholomew
Famous for making vegetable growing feel simple and organized—especially if you’re working with raised beds or small spaces.
The “Gardening Bible” Book
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The Garden Primer — Barbara Damrosch
Often called a gardener’s go-to reference. Great for troubleshooting and building strong fundamentals across flowers, veggies, shrubs, and more. -
Rodale’s Basic Organic Gardening — Deborah L. Martin (Rodale)
A straightforward reference if you like organic methods and want clear “how-to” guidance.
How to Grow Herbs
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The Complete Book of Herbs — Lesley Bremness
A long-time favourite for herb growing, harvesting, and uses—great for beginners and kitchen gardeners. -
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs — Claire Kowalchik & William H. Hylton
A deeper reference book with lots of detail if you love learning plant-by-plant.
Mushrooms in Ontario (and Eastern Canada)
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Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada — George Barron
A highly practical regional guide that’s popular with Ontario foragers. -
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms
A widely used classic for identification support (great companion guide).
(Foraging note: always use multiple sources and be 100% sure on ID—when in doubt, don’t eat it.)
A Few More We Recommend (Because You Asked for “& More”)
Backyard Chickens (Beginner-Friendly)
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Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens — Gail Damerow
A staple for first-time chicken keepers—setup, feed, health basics, and everyday care.
Backyard Homesteading / Self-Sufficiency
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The Backyard Homestead — Carleen Madigan
A popular “do a little bit of everything” guide: food growing, preserving basics, and getting more from your yard.
Wild Birds (Feeding + Identifying)
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The Sibley Guide to Birds — David Allen Sibley
A top-tier bird ID reference many birders keep for life. -
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
Another trusted staple, great as a household birding book.
Where to Find Them
We love books, which is why you’ll always find some at our Windmill Lane location (with a rotating selection that changes seasonally).
Looking for something specific?
Ask our team and we’ll point you to the best match for your garden goals, your space, and your zone.
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