The right tools make a difference
Here are some of my favorites for getting your garden to do list done right!
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Protect your hands
These gloves are such a deal and super durable and comfortable. I’ve tried dozens of garden gloves and these are my faves.
Sometimes you need some throw away gloves for various gardening tasks. These do the trick.
Moving & hauling
Bring the power
Having the right power tools is a must for maximizing your gardening efficiency. Here are a few that I own, use and love. A quality cordless hedge trimmer will cut back perennials, shrubs and more fast. A powerful cordless drill is essential for drilling drainage holes in pots, drill other holes and act as a power screwdriver.
Hand tools I love
Other handy must haves
Don’t forget to protect your peepers when working in the garden.
Volunteer Tree & Vine Control
Unwanted plants can create a serious problem if not removed quickly. Pull or dig them out after a rain if you can, but for those you can’t, these products will take care of them. I keep the Bonide Stump & Vine in my garden caddy for quick snip and treat of volunteer trees that seem to come up everywhere and get too rooted before I can pull them. For larger projects or more resistant naughty plants, you might need to call in the heavy hitter with Tordon. Be sure to follow package directions and safety precautions, of course.
Critter control
You already know that I believe strongly that we should all say NO to insecticides and pesticides. The terms mean the same thing – they kill bugs. Not just certain bugs, all bugs including those that provide natural insect control and pollinate the food we eat.
I do however utilize a few 100% natural products for controlling critters that cause trouble in my yard and garden. As with all products, follow the application and safety guidelines.
PlantSkydd is the only product I’ve ever found to actively repel rabbits and deer. Even better, it lasts through a couple of rains. It is a dried blood product and stinks like no other when you put it on, so I recommend applying it when others aren’t around. At dusk when folks are heading inside for the night is a great time to apply. Once it is dry the smell is no longer detectable for us. While the only true deterrent of deer is a seven foot tall or higher fence, this product works consistently for me against hungry bunnies and deer.
Do you have moles, voles, groundhogs or skunks in your yard? Ugh, so did I. I like to use a natural oil spray to repel these destructive critters. Note if they are already there, you need to get rid of them through trapping first, but once they’re cleared, an oil based product applied in early spring can keep them at bay. I apply every year. The formulations vary, but are primarily castor oil. This one is mostly castor oil with a splash of peppermint oil and cedarwood oil.
Nutrition
Just like us, our plants need the right food to be their best. I like to top-dress in spring around my plants with compost. That just means apply a few inches of compost. Nature will do it’s thing and work the compost in as it rains and settles. I apply it right over my existing mulch and then add new mulch over that. Definitely don’t over think it.
Here are the additional fertilizers and products I depend on to maximize blooms and keep my plants healthy.
I love these Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed products. Way better than the messy blue stuff, application is super easy with your garden hose. Use the formula best suited for your needs – blooms, all purpose, fruits & veggies. I have all of them and it’s a snap to change them out while watering. Consult the package directions for the specifics.
How about our trees and shrubs? For these plants, fertilizer spikes are my choice for an easy annual feeding. Did you know that even clematis can benefit from fertilizer spikes? Yes! Clematis love rose food! Use these spikes in early spring. Timing your application for after a rain will make the job easy. Follow the package directions and drive the spikes in with a rubber mallet.
Clothing
Let’s not forget some cool gear to wear. I bought, wear and love each of these. The hat is great for keeping the sun off my face and neck. It travels well to the beach too! The sweatshirt is super soft and extra durable and those garden clogs are sturdy, comfy and hose clean.
I hope these supplies provide you with some new resources for taking your efforts up a notch. Have a great time immersing yourself in your gardening projects.
