Does your city have a tool lending library?

And if not why not?

For many of us there's a time in our lives when we didn't give a fig about a rototiller or a chainsaw. Before I had access to my own garden, my brain only processed my local tool lending library peripherally.

But when you want a $30-$300 piece of equipment for a day or three and don't want to pay $30-$300, the local tool lending library is just what you need. Some of these locations have more useful equipment than others. In Orem, Utah, for example, they lend out earplugs. Gross! But the great thing about libraries is they often respond to community needs so maybe with some pestering, Orem can get a chainsaw or something else a little more useful than orange vests.

States with tool lending libraries (See more details):

California
Georgia
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Washington

Axe pictured below courtesy of Oakland Public Library

What to do with all that Mint

Spearmint has been a delightful surprise because of its heartiness.

Native to Europe and Asia, they grow white or reddish runners which seem to just sprint across your garden and I've dealt with this by taking them out of my veggie garden and putting them in containers with enough to spare that I split pieces off, put them in plastic tubs & gifted them to friends and neighbors. They can deal with wide a range of sun exposure--full sun to mostly shaded(!)

Because these are in such a mad dash to propagate, and are so easy to care for, your only trouble is how to keep pace eating spearmint.

I have two favorite uses:

1. Muddle, chop, or mush any way you can and add it to your coffee or coco.

2. Mix with sparkling or still water, lemon juice and some sugar for a great summer lemonade.