New Books for the Gardener

Gardening Tips for the Month

• Hang up Codling moth traps now to reduce the number of wormy apples in your harvest this year.
• Attract birds to your yard with bird feeders. Delightful gold finches will visit your thistle feeders, and rufous-sided towhees will visit seed feeders.
• Plant Gladiolus bulbs this month for summer flowers—they come in every color of the rainbow.
• Turn in cover crops now to prepare for planting your summer garden in two or three weeks.
• Plant sunflowers now from seed or plants. Choose multi-stemmed varieties for cut flowers or giant types for edible seeds.

New Books for Gardeners

The Sunset Western Garden Book has been the essential reference for Western gardeners and nursery professionals for over 80 years. Its unique climate zone maps and tailored advice for Western growing conditions make it indispensable for California gardeners. The newly released 9th Edition, The New Sunset Western Garden Book, features:

• Over 2,000 full-color photographs, including a color image for every plant in its encyclopedia.
• Descriptions of over 9,000 plants.
• An extensive "Plant Finder" section with lists for specific needs, such as:
• Plants for Slopes
• Deer-Resistant Plants
• Plants for Shade
• Trees and Shrubs for Containers
• Plants for Waterwise Gardens
• Plants for Damp Areas
• Plants that Attract Bees and Butterflies
• Flowering Trees and Shrubs
• Plants for Fall Foliage
• Plants for Fragrance
• Plants for Moon Gardens
• Practical gardening advice in the back of the book, covering:
• Soils and planting techniques
• Growing in containers
• Herb gardening
• Designing with perennials
• Choosing and planting trees, vines, and wildflowers
• Creating a wildlife habitat
• Watering, fertilizing, and protecting plants from frost, sun, and pests
• Vegetable gardening, including planting and harvest times by climate zone

The Western Garden Book of Edibles is another new release from Sunset, offering complete instructions for growing over 190 vegetables, herbs, berries, fruits, and nuts. Key features include:

• Detailed plans and design ideas for kitchen gardens of all sizes.
• Guidelines for composting, building raised beds, arbors, trellises, and garden paths.
• A practical guide covering soil amendments, cover crops, seed starting, and mulches.
• Color photos of common plant pests, diseases, and beneficial insects.

Both books are valuable additions to any gardening library, offering new plant ideas and practical tips.