Each year I make a few resolutions towards the end of December and first of January in hopes of sticking to them and improving certain aspects of my life. On my list of gardening resolutions thus far are several items that I am sure will make me more efficient regarding my landscape.

As usual, I am including the objective of making a plan before I purchase plants. This is aimed towards my problem of buying to too much for a certain location in my garden, as well as my inclination to purchase plants on an impulse with nowhere to plant them, resulting in having to painstakingly water little pots until I finally develop a planting bed.

I also want to work on my compost more in 2006, try new plants (as long as I have the aforementioned planting plan), learn to use a gas powered weed-whacker without hurting myself and generally spend more time in my garden. Each year I remind myself to take better notes and more photographs of the ever changing landscape and to read more about various aspects of gardening so that I can become more educated on the subject.

It just so happens that luck is in my favor as far as the education part of my New Year&8217;s resolutions. I just found out that an audio book on cassette or CD is now available on the subject of pruning. Because I drive 45 minutes to and from work five days a week, I&8217;ve got plenty of time to listen and learn. In fact, 19 million people drive 45 minutes a day, one way, to work (that&8217;s one and a half hours round trip-just in case your math skills aren&8217;t up to par). Gaining knowledge while traveling (or exercising or gardening) is important for many of the 97 million people that drive alone each day. The average person will spend 62 minutes in standstill traffic each year.

Basic Elements of Pruning, voiced by Master Gardener, Nick Federoff, sounds like a great way for me to obtain more information on how to develop a plan for well manicured plants in my landscape. Keeping the plants health and well being in mind, this &8220;book on tape&8221; is read in a fun and informative fashion.

One critic claims that Federoff &8220;can make words come alive&8221; and &8220;his voice makes you feel like he&8217;s your best friend and he&8217;s talking right to you. You don&8217;t find that kind of talent often.&8221;

Finding out about this entertaining and educational outlet to enjoy during my travels to and from work is exciting to me. Because no chapter is longer than five minutes, I&8217;ll be able to refer back to each one time after time to listen to my favorite parts or easily jump ahead to the next chapter.

I&8217;m always looking for ways to make the best of my driving time and now I&8217;ve finally found one concerning my favorite hobby: gardening. As soon as I finish this column, I&8217;m going to treat myself to the Basic Elements of Pruning-it&8217;s only $19.95. To get your own copy, call 1-800-9NEWYARD (1-800-945-6469).

My belief is that one can never know everything about gardening-there&8217;s always more information. As a result, the hobby is always fresh and exciting!