Garden Supplies News » garden tools

Plastic Essentials, Herb Scissors and Squirrels

hughe — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:30:58 +0000

Some people think that squirrels are cute little creatures. The way that they sit upright with their bushy tails erect using their front legs like hands to eat nuts and other goodies. Or we marvel at the way that they leap from branch to branch in the trees with such agility. But not if we’re gardeners – for us squirrels are one of the most annoying pests. And manufacturers of garden supplies know this well so there are a plethora of remedies available in the stores to deter these critters from damaging our crops. But just how effective are these? Gary Bogue writing in Contra Costa Times tried seven repellent brands with disappointing results. Read more..

With the title “Can We Ever Have Enough Gardening Tools?” you might expect to be presented with a long list of the writer’s favorite implements, but Suzanne Thompson restricts herself to two both made of plastic. Read more..

Here’s another headline I couldn’t resist: “The best herb scissors in the world”. In fact these are for use in the kitchen rather than the garden, to chop your herbs after you’ve picked them. “At just under $11, they’re a time-saver that won’t drain your wallet!” Read more..

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More Garden Tools And Exotic Alliums

hughe — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:21:14 +0000

The choice of garden tools is a highly personal business as is evident from the huge variety of implements on sale in stores and garden centers. But even with this wide choice you will often fail to find the exact shape or style that you want. So don’t despair – make your own. In this extract from Eliot Coleman’s Winter Harvest Handbook he explains how simple alterations to tools that you buy from the store can give you just what you need. Read more..

I’ve never been too keen on alliums particularly when they are grown en masse like those in the picture, but after reading this piece by Steve Silk I am begining to see them in a new light. Don’t be put off by the photo at the top of his page, but scroll down and admire the Allium bulgaricum or Sicilian honey lily. While it’s a great joke I don’t think that I would bother with Allium ‘Hair’ but I am impressed by the Star of Persia. Read more..

“What stage are you at?” asks Roger Marshall as he takes us through his five stages of gardening from the young novice full of enthusiasm to the more mature gardener. Follow him as he describes the evolving landscape as ideas and interests change over time. Read more..

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Fashion, Gadgets And Green Savings

hughe — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:25:08 +0000

Every gardener needs tools and we all have our favorites, but we don’t all make an exclusive selection from around the world and list them for sale on our website. But this is what Dianne Benson from East Hampton has done. Her “Ten Garden Greats” include clippers from Japan, gardening shoes from France and hand made stainless steel shovels from Idaho. Number ten on her list is a garden tie called “Better-Than-Twine” which comes from the UK. Read more..

On a rather more high tech level are these “10 brilliant gadgets for your garden”. There’s an Alligator cordless powered lopper with Ni-Cad battery powered jaws that turn branches into wood chippings, with up to 150 3.5cm cuts per hour. The Toro 3-in-1 Recycler Mower gives you the choice of either spinning the cuttings in to a regular grass bag, or chewing them up and spitting them out as a mulch. And for relaxing there’s a gas barbecue and outdoor sound system. And perhaps the ultimate gadget, a completely autonomous robot mower with its own built in solar panel, enabling it to recharge itself when not in use. Read more..

Back to reality and Carol Oneal writing in the Mail Tribune has some suggestions on ways to save money in the garden. Recycle and save some “green” is her motto and she starts with a plastic gallon milk jug which can be used in four different ways. Using old pantyhose to make ties is one that we’ve all heard before, but I’m not sure if cutting up a discarded venetian blind for plant labels is really worth the effort. Read more..

Mowing the lawn is not everyone’s favorite task, so how would you like to give up your grass and be paid for it into the bargain? If you live in LA this is now on offer. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has begun a cash-for-grass program. Single-family homes served by the DWP will be eligible to receive $1 for every square foot of turf that they replace with less thirsty alternatives. Las Vegas has had a similar scheme for years and, as a result, has saved almost a tenth of its annual water supply. Read more..