Middle South
December, 2010
Regional Report
Books
The Brother Gardeners (History & Horticulture)
If you like history as well as horticulture, run, don't walk to the nearest bookstore for The Brother Gardeners, by Andrea Wulf (Vintage Books, 2010, $17.95). The tantalizing subtitle, Botany, Empire, and the Birth of an Obsession, only hints at the drama within its pages. Beautifully written and organized, the book chronicles the men and events of the horticultural world of the 18th century. It is the author's ability to bring the characters to life and weave the tale of their relationships to each other, however, that makes it a compelling read.
Tool or Gardening Product
Tree Tanglefoot Insect Barrier
The Tree Tanglefoot Insect Barrier is a non-drying, weather-proof compound that forms a sticky barrier on fruit and shade trees against climbing insects, such as gypsy moths, cankerworms, pecan and root weevils, caterpillars, webworms, and others. Made of all natural gum resins, vegetable wax and castor oil, the barrier should be spread on a banding material that wraps the tree trunk. The product is not only safe, it is approved by the Organic Material Review Institute for use in organic gardens.
