County Library Gets Latest Gardening Books

As a result of contributions from UCCE Tuolumne County Master Gardeners, the Tuolumne County Library now has 16 more books about gardening and landscaping. The collaboration with the County Library builds on work started two years ago when Master Gardeners reviewed the County Library’s gardening books and determined which topics and issues would benefit from additional resources. The new books were obtained by money raised through internal Master Gardener book sales and other donations.

The books are being made available to the County Library as part of the Master Gardener mission and commitment to extend research-based information about home horticulture, pest management, landscape, environmental and natural resource issues to interested citizens. The UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and other recognized experts published many of the books so that Tuolumne County Library patrons can be assured they are getting scientific information that is current and "best practice." Many of these books are not generally available to the County Library and were obtained through the Master Gardener association with the University of California publishing system.

Although the books cover many topics, the new collection was selected by Master Gardeners to provide information on the challenges and opportunities of gardening in Mediterranean climates like that of the foothills, the use and description of plants native to this area, and edible gardening. There are also additional resources for pest management and drip irrigation.

For example, for those interested in learning more about edible gardening, there are 3 new books:

• The Home Orchard: Growing Your Own Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees,   published by the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources;

• The Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs & Edible Flowers" by Mc Gee and Stuckey;

• Great Gardening Companions by Sally Jean Cunningham.

Several of the other books provide insight on the climate of the foothills and give suggestions for plants that will thrive here. Among them are:

• Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region published by East Bay Municipal Utilities District;

• Plant Life in the World’s Mediterranean Climates authored by Peter Dallman

• Plant-Driven Design: Creating Gardens that Honor Plants, Place and Spirit by Ogden and Ogden, published by the University of California Press; and

• Sunset’s Western Landscaping Book

Information and suggestions for specific plant categories to consider are found in:

• Carol Bornstein’s book, California Native Plants for the Garden,

• Cacti, Agave and Yuccas of California and Nevada by Stephen Ingram, and

• Ceanothus by David Fross, published by the California Native Plant Society.

All of these books are lavishly illustrated with color photographs, helpful indexes and detailed information to aid in plant selection and care. For those interested in leaning more about gardening and landscaping or seeing the new books, visit the Tuolumne County Library in September.

The books that have been donated by the Master Gardener program will have a special bookplate with the telephone number of the new Master Gardener Hotline (533-5912, mgtuolumne@ucdavis.edu ), which anyone can call or e-mail with gardening questions. The books will be featured in a special display area during the month of September so stop by and check them out.

Marlys Bell and the Master Gardener Library Committee identify books for the Master Gardener program based on priorities of the Cooperative Extension Office and the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR).