I’m very new to gardening. I live in the city and I’d like to start with some easy houseplants, also some easy vegetables. Any suggestions? Any books that are great for first timers?
It is wonderful you are interested in growing plants both inside and out. Indoor plants not only cheer up a space but also act as air purifiers, and there is nothing quite like the sense of accomplishment gained when you have grown your dinner.
Toronto Master Gardeners have a guide to growing houseplants which includes some of the easier, more common varieties along with how to care for them. We also have a guide to growing Cacti & Succulents, which can be very low maintenance plants for indoors. See the links below to access both these guides.
Beginner’s Guide to Growing Houseplants: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide
Growing Cacti and Other Succulents: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide
Also, we have a couple of guides on growing vegetables & herbs which you may find interesting. Again, see links below.
Organic Vegetable Gardening: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide
If, after reading through these guides, you would like to peruse some gardening books, the Toronto Botanical Gardens has Canada’s largest collection of Horticulture Books in its library. You may borrow some of these books if you have a TBG membership, which can be purchased for a relatively small annual fee. The TBG also run courses and lectures on all kinds of topics, which members can attend for either free or a reduced rate.
Good luck with your endeavours.