When In Doubt, Gardeners Go By The Book
By midsummer, most gardeners are simply too busy to relax and read about garden designs and new plants. But a bounty of books are popping up on the bookstore shelves that may be worth a look, even in July.
Two of the new offerings that deserve mention are “The Gardener’s Complete Q&A” by the editors of Garden Way Publishing ($39.95, 736 pages) and “Contained Gardens” by Susan Berry and Steve Bradley ($25, 160 pages).
While most gardeners plant their containers in May, planning to enjoy them through the fall, in reality, many cooler-season plants like pansies should be replaced midsummer with those that stand boldly despite the heat. “Contained Gardens” shows you how to rejuvenate containers for a long display of color and may inspire planting of additional colorful areas.
And since the weather and growing conditions vary from summer to summer, questions arise for even the most experienced gardeners. “The Gardener’s Complete Q&A” can be a valuable resource. It’s basic and the format is simple. It covers topics ranging from lawn to landscapes and perennials to vegetables.
Ant woes: If ants left the picnic and showed up at your house, don’t despair. There’s help available. A free brochure titled “Ants” is available from Orkin Pest Control. Because carpenter ants cause $750 million in damage to U.S. homes each year, it’s important to be diligent about checking for ant activity.
For the brochure, call (800) 563-HOUSE.
Power up: Sometimes tools make all the difference when it comes to successful home projects. And most do-it-yourselfers opt for power tools. What type to they choose most? According to a survey by the folks at Black & Decker, the power tools most wanted by consumers are: drill - 38 percent, saw and screwdriver - 26 percent each.
Looking ahead: Those thinking about replacing windows during the weather-friendly days of July and August can get a free brochure - “Making Great Window Decisions” from Pella by calling (800) 847-3552.
Help with home repairs: A long lineup of free how-to workshops - ranging from repairing toilets to installing sprinkler systems - will be offered in August at HomeBase stores. For a schedule, contact the HomeBase store nearest you.
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