Who gets your gardening books when you die?

You're writing your will. Who will inherit your gardening books? Will they go to your children? Your best garden buddy? Your public library? Will certain people get certain books? Tell all.

Probably the local university gets them. Nobody else in the immediate family really cares about gardening but they'll appreciate the tax receipt :)

Of course, that could change. The kids' interests may change as they get older or what their eventual spouses might like the books.

Or I could donate some of them to the neighbourhood community garden if we ever get it going (we're just starting the planning process).

Jane

That was really the point: who values your books as much as you do? I have the complete set of back issues for Fine Gardening, and I really wonder if I can find an institution or gardener who would appreciate having them when I'm gone. My kids would have no trouble selling or donating any of my books that they didn't want, but they are great ones for throwing out magazines.

I haven't hit 50 yet and I'm really not expecting to die soon, but I have had an if-I-ever-get-rich fantasy of endowing a horticultural library for my county. I guess that's what prompted the question.

I know someone who didn't wait until he died but gave his (very,very,) long set of Royal Horticultural Society Magazines to a college in Nepal, who I think appreciated them. I find it very hard to get rid of any book- no matter how badly written, ill-researched or ill-treated; but there's a lot to be said for generosity while you're aliverather than worrying about what will happen after you're gone.

I inherited my grandmother's gardening books (I haven't cataloged them yet.) She was an avid organic gardener and flower arranger. I love reading her notes in the margins. The books keep her memory alive. They are among my most cherished possessions.
I really hadn't thought about my collection - perhaps my daughter might want them - I could ask.

I have never thought about it. I guess that I should. I am also not yet 50, and hope that I have many years ahead of me. I only have one child, a Son, and at this point has NO interest in gardening. I also have almost all of the back issues of Fine Gardening, and they are as valuable to me as the books. I am glad you brought the question up, I will have to think on that one!

well I don't have a whole lot of them yet but I am going to assume that My Daughter or granddaughter will get all of my books They are the only anal readers in the family like me and by them I will have pulled them into gardening as well