FARMINGTON – The 2008 shrub brochures are available and may be picked up any time or send in a SASE with 56 cents postage for mailing to the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The district has just released the annual shrub sale brochure, with more than 100 varieties of bare root perennials, shrubs, blueberries, evergreen and deciduous trees. Early orders are encouraged, because supplies of some varieties are limited. While orders are accepted after March 1 and through May 2, the district cannot ensure availability of a specific items. The pickup date is Friday, May 9, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the barn behind the district court.

Plants are environmentally friendly because they use carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming. “Planting perennials, shrubs or trees is one thing people can do to protect our planet as we know it now,” said Rosetta Thompson, FCSWCD district manager.

Brochures are available by contacting the district at 107 Park St., Farmington, ME 04938 or by visiting www.franklincswcd.org and downloading the brochure and order form.

A sale is also under way for environmentally friendly 55-gallon rain barrels. The barrels, available in several colors, collect water and stores it for when needed. During the summer, Thompson said, lawn and garden watering constitutes about 40 percent of household water usage. Rain barrels are an ideal way to conserve the water supply.

For details about the barrels, contact the district at 778-4270 or visit www.franklincswcd.org.

The district strives to educate youths and adults about the importance of voluntary conservation of natural resources by providing technical assistance and educational programs. The district is a nonprofit organization that is reliant on fundraising, donations and grants.