The free exhibition, which runs until 29 October, includes manuals on the best ways to grow fruit and vegetables, colourful flowers and herb patches.
Leeds Central Library’s special collections librarian Antony Ramm said gardening had the power to bring people together and “shape the world around them”.
“Gardening is one of those rare and wonderful common threads through history which has inspired so much dedication, passion and joy for people from all walks of life,” he said.
“The centuries of accumulated wisdom that we have on display also captures that impulse which generations of gardeners have had to pass on their knowledge and encourage others to create beautiful gardens of their own.”