Emhart Corp. has reached an agreement to...

Emhart Corp. has reached an agreement to acquire GardenAmerica Corp. for $28.25 a share, or $84 million. The boards of both companies approved the deal, which is subject to a sufficient number of GardenAmerica shares being tendered. GardenAmerica, based in Carson City, Nev., is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of automatic watering systems, including such products as Lawn Genie and Drip Mist, Richdel and IrriTrol. GardenAmerica employs 1,275 people at plants in Carson City, El Paso, Tex., and Valencia. Emhart, based in Farmington, Conn., manufactures industrial and consumer products.