Agaves by Greg Starr

Agaves are a type of succulent plant characterized by rosetta-like structure – leaves that spread out from the base in a circle. Interest in these plants for landscaping grew in the 1980s but it wasn’t until the turn of the century that Agave’s popularity surged. They are drought and heat tolerant plants that are naturally found in the southwestern region of the United States and into Mexico. Greg Starr offers information on how to incorporate Agave plants into your landscape regardless of where you live. Some species can tolerate severe cold while others can tolerate wetter climates. He goes on to explain how you can help your Agave thrive even in the less than ideal conditions. The majority of the book is a detailed explanation of each species of Agave. With each description, Greg Starr offers landscaping information and how best to raise that particular species. He includes information on where they can be found in nature and what conditions can be found there. The book is beautifully photographed with pictures of Agaves in various states of growth. The information appears to be simple but until you put it to use I couldn’t really say. I would have liked to have a reason to grow Agaves instead of they look neat. I wish the author would have sold the idea better but then if you weren’t already interested you probably wouldn’t be picking up his book. I like gardening books but I have limited experience and even less space. I would have loved to find out how to eat an Agave plant or to learn which were edible and how to harvest them.

The Lavender Lover’s Handbook by Sarah Berringer Bader

I always thought lavender was lavender. I didn’t realize there were hundreds of varieties. I suppose I should have known this since there is no such thing as a singular plant type but it rather surprised me to know that there was so much variety in lavender.
Sarah’s book not only breaks down all the varieties of lavender but helps the reader determine which variety is best for their environment and usage. She starts of discussing soil and planting choices. The book then breaks down the different types of lavender and explains what environments they thrive in. This might actually help me keep a lavender plant this year since I’ve not had luck in getting them to winter over.
Much of the information in this book is about gardening with lavender in mind. However, the last part of the book is on things you can do with lavender. Sarah starts with recipes for cooking with lavender which is growing in popularity. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we already know how lavender can be used in food since lavender festivals have become quite popular here but you don’t see a lot of recipes with so much variation. I like the idea of lavender sugar – what a fun addition to Sunday tea.
The last chapter is crafts and home remedy sort of recipes. I am just fascinated with the number of ideas Sarah has offered. I’m looking forward to spring. I have my variety of lavender all picked out thanks to this book and may have even decided on a spot (at least a ballpark for where to plant the lavender).

Fall Pumpkins by Martha E.H. Rustad

This is a cute picture book that covers the growing of a pumpkin from seed to pumpkin pie or carving. Even though the title says Fall Pumpkins this a book that would be good any time of the year from the Spring planting to the Fall harvest.
The book shares how to plant a pumpkin, care for it through the summer and what to do with it when it's grown. It even includes a recipe for roasting pumpkin seeds.
I see this book as a perfect addition to a classroom or homeschool shelf. There are little bits of trivia scattered through the book that would be great lead-ins to a lesson. This book can assist in a number of science lessons and if you are really creative - other subjects as well.