I just got my drip starter kit from Toro. I am very excited.
The kit is designed to connect to six average-sized plants via an outdoor faucet.
It comes with 20 pieces: including six stakes, six emitters and 25-feet of tubing.
The kit retails for $10.99.
It doesn't look like it will take too long to set up. It does -- however -- look like I won't be needing it anytime soon, since it has been raining the entire month of June!
The Davey Tree Expert Company, partnering with American Forests and the Treetures Environmental Eduction Program, is donating copies of "Welcome Spring!" to schools, libraries and educational programs throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The book uses Treetures, who are magical forest creatures created by Judith Hope Blau, to teach how trees grows and thrive. The Treetures -- and their human friends -- earn their "green hearts" by learning about the interdependence of trees and humans and other animals.
Information: http://www.treetures.com/
The American Horticultural Society has named its 2008 North American book award winners.
Winners are: "Hardy Succulents" by Gwen Moore Kelaidis (Storey Publishing); "The Heirloom Tomato" by Amy Goldman (Bloomsbury USA); "Native Ferns, Moss & Grasses" by William Cullina (Houghton Mifflin); and "Plant-Driven Design" by Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer Ogden (Timber Press).
The AHS also recognized updated editions of two garden reference books: "The Garden Primer" by Barbara Damrosch (Workman Publishing) and "Herbaceous Perennial Plants" by Allan M. Armitage (Stipes Publishing).
It took me a while, but I finally finished reading "Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful" (Algonquin Books, 2008).
The book, written by Amy Stewart (author of "The Earth Moved"), is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of flowers -- from the farms and laboratories to the auctions, supermarkets, florists and dining room tables.
You may never smell or look at a bouquet the same again!
The 306-page paperback -- you might find it in hardcover in your local library -- sells for $13.95.
Information: amystewart.com
Are you hoping to see a wider variety of beautiful birds in your backyard this fall and winter?
Then head on out and pick up "For The Birds" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, Oct. 2008).
Authors Anne Schmauss, May Schmauss and Geni Krolick -- three sisters who own and manage wild bird specialty stores -- draw on a decades of experience and offer readers their time-tested tips and tricks for turning backyards into bird oasis.
Some of the tips include: black-oil sunflower is the seed preferred by the majority of birds; don't buy more than six-or-seven week supply of birdseed at a time, seed is perishable; and using different styles of seed feeders will attract a wider variety of birds.
There is also a handy month-by-month guide to what birds look for in terms of food, habitat, water and nesting.
The 224-page paperback sells for $19.95.
"Things I Can Do To Help My World" by Melanie Walsh (Candlewick, Aug. 2008) is a fun-filled book. Not only is it entertaining to read, it teaches young children how to recycle, reduce and reuse. And hey, they might use knowledge through their life!
I love the way it was made, with unexpecting flaps to cute pictures. It really is a book to cheer up the day and the Earth. This 40-page, hard-covered book is also made of 100% recycled material to set a good example.
The book sells for $15.99 and is best suited for ages 3 and up.
-- Soon to be 11-year-old and sixth grader, Paulina M. Edel
Maisy the mouse is back with a new "lift-the-flap, pull-the-tabs" book.
This one is titled "Maisy at the Farm" (Candlewick Press, 1998/2008) is ideal for children three-years-old and up.
Maisy collects eggs, rides a horse, drives a tractor, cleans the pigs, picks apples, feeds the baby lambs and puts the animals to bed.
Written by Lucy Cousins, the hard cover book sells for $11.99.
Photo courtesy of Candlewick Press.
Cute art. Cute story. Cute book.
"The Animal Hedge" (Candlewick Press, May 2008), by Paul Fleischman, tells the story of an animal loving farmer. When drought befalls his land, he must sell his livestock and move to a cottage with only a hedge. His three sons discover something remarkable about their hedge -- and something unique about each person who trims its branches.
Illustrated with gorgeous folk-art inspired paintings by Bagram Ibatoulline.
The book sells for $7.99.
"Good Bug, Bad Bug: Who's Who, What They Do, and How to Manage Them Organically" (St. Lynn's Press, June 2008) is the latest book by horticulturist Jessica Walliser.
The 100-page paperback is a bug identification book with simple strategies for managing the most common invasive pests.
Walliser shows how to help your garden thrive -- without reaching for the toxic chemicals.
It sells for $16.95.
Walliser previously co-authored "Grow Organic."
Information: www.jessicawalliser.com
Looking to go green this summer?
Before you start, take a look at the new "Green Guide" published by National Geographic Ventures.
The 448-page soft cover manual features the best practices for nurturing the health of your family and the environment; offers up quick tips on eco-friendly choices -- from pet care to travel planning; and lists hard facts on how your daily decisions impact the planet's future.
It sells for $21.95.
Information: www.preserveourplanet.com/books
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