Mid-way through the summer, garden soils can become hard, dry, and compacted. This short video demonstrates a really cool little hand tool that you can use to break up the soil and help water penetrate into the soil. Don't get too close to the existing plants, but this is a nice way to break soil up in in-between areas where you want to plant new seeds or plants, and will help water and fertilizer get to the roots of existing plants as well.
Much less expensive, and handier to use than a motorized tiller, this type of hand tiller is a really handy garden tool to keep on hand!
Similar Hand Tillers:
Showing posts with label Garden tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garden tools. Show all posts
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Choosing Proper Gardening Gloves
Your first contact with the garden are your hands, unless of course you have invested wisely in garden tools, but even with tools there is no getting around the fact that you are going to need to get your hands dirty, and along with that you can expect the scratches, cuts and bruises that are inevitable.
You should consider investing in some good garden gloves to protect your hands against damage.
There are several different types of garden gloves on the market and they all have their benefits and downsides.
The cheapest of these gloves are the cotton work type gloves that are comfortable but not quite as durable as other gloves.
They will wear out faster than the more expensive gloves and can become heavy when wet, which can make your hands quite cold in the colder weather. They also don't offer much protection against thorns and other sharp objects that you might encounter.
Alternatives to these are a combination of cotton/canvas and leather, as the leather portion of the glove will offer more protection against cuts, and can be more durable. These gloves can still get water logged and have a limited lifespan. Since they have leather portions, you should try not to let them get too wet or they will get very hard and stiff when dried. But if kept reasonably dry, the better ones can last quite a long time.
The composite spandex/lycra gloves that are available can be a better option as they will last longer and they won't get water logged like the cotton gloves. They are also very comfortable to wear, but might not provide as much protection as they aren't very rugged.
If you are working in wet conditions a lot of the time you may want to consider getting some rubber gloves. Rubber gloves will ensure that your hands stay dry all the time.
And, if you work with roses quite often there are gloves that cover your hands arms right up to your elbow. These will allow you to work in comfort and safety while protecting your skin against damage.
And finally there are many people who don't like wearing gloves at all but need some form of protection. For these, there is an interesting option called spray-on gloves. These are a silicon spray that will seal your hands from grime and possible infection and will make cleaning your hands after you have finished gardening a breeze. While these 'gloves' won't offer you any protection from scratches and cuts, they will help to keep your hands clean and that is a bonus.
Gardening Gloves:
You should consider investing in some good garden gloves to protect your hands against damage.
There are several different types of garden gloves on the market and they all have their benefits and downsides.The cheapest of these gloves are the cotton work type gloves that are comfortable but not quite as durable as other gloves.
They will wear out faster than the more expensive gloves and can become heavy when wet, which can make your hands quite cold in the colder weather. They also don't offer much protection against thorns and other sharp objects that you might encounter.
Alternatives to these are a combination of cotton/canvas and leather, as the leather portion of the glove will offer more protection against cuts, and can be more durable. These gloves can still get water logged and have a limited lifespan. Since they have leather portions, you should try not to let them get too wet or they will get very hard and stiff when dried. But if kept reasonably dry, the better ones can last quite a long time.
The composite spandex/lycra gloves that are available can be a better option as they will last longer and they won't get water logged like the cotton gloves. They are also very comfortable to wear, but might not provide as much protection as they aren't very rugged.
If you are working in wet conditions a lot of the time you may want to consider getting some rubber gloves. Rubber gloves will ensure that your hands stay dry all the time.And, if you work with roses quite often there are gloves that cover your hands arms right up to your elbow. These will allow you to work in comfort and safety while protecting your skin against damage.
And finally there are many people who don't like wearing gloves at all but need some form of protection. For these, there is an interesting option called spray-on gloves. These are a silicon spray that will seal your hands from grime and possible infection and will make cleaning your hands after you have finished gardening a breeze. While these 'gloves' won't offer you any protection from scratches and cuts, they will help to keep your hands clean and that is a bonus.
Gardening Gloves:
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Gardening Products Make Great Gifts
If you're looking for a last minute gift for the special gardener in your life, it's not to late to pick up some great gardening products. Because gardening has evolved into such a popular activity, gardening products are not hard to come by. You can buy gardening products in various stores or nurseries, or you can order gardening products from catalogs, or even order them online. Gardening products can range from equipment to fertilizer to actual plants and shrubs.
You will obviously need the basic gardening products no matter what you are planting, such as a hoe, spade, fork, and maybe even a shovel. You must have watering supplies, like a water hose and perhaps a sprinkler. Other possibilities include a spade, a pot (if you are pot planting), and a pair of gloves for comfort, some secateurs, or a rake. When first starting a garden you will definitely want some type of mulch or potting soil to get your dirt ready. There are a few types of potting soil to choose from, including organic potting mix, seed starting potting mix, cactus potting mix, and root development potting mix, just to name a few. (You can easily find all of these online - for a one-stop shop, try http://www.newholisticliving.com/products.html#SGProducts.)
Once you have your garden planted, you must have gardening products so that you can add nutrients to the soil to ensure a healthy plant life. Miracle-Gro is one of the most popular growing enhancements for plants. There are many different types of Miracle-Gro to choose from and what kind you choose will depend on what you are trying to grow. For sustainable and organic gardening, of course you will want to look for the organic varieties. You will also want to add fertilizer, such as compost or manure.
If you are growing vegetables or herbs, you may need different gardening products than flower gardens require. If you are growing tomatoes you will need a tomato cage and ties to protect the plants against the wind. Many plants, especially vines, are designed to grow on something and you will need to have a fence or trellis of some sort.
Gardening products are not limited to just the gardening necessities; they can also come in the form of decoration. There are decorative flower pots, sundials, plastic figurines, stones or bricks for a pathway or looks, and even lawn furniture. Decoration will add to the charm and uniqueness of your garden and are an excellent way to give it a personal touch.
The winter months will bring a whole new set of gardening products to store shelves. When the frost hits, the prime place to put your plants are in a greenhouse. Mini-greenhouses are pretty easy to find nowadays, and can be relatively inexpensive to purchase (or very inexpensive to build, yourself). However, if you do not have a greenhouse, a tarp or row cover can be used to cover plants up at night. You also might need a light source, like a heat lamp, to both keep plants warm and give them extra light.
New and upgraded gardening products are always popping up on the market. It seems like every day there is some gardening product that claims to be bigger and better than the last. While many gardening products are not a necessity, they sure make the job a lot easier and more enjoyable.
So why not grab one of these gardening products as a gift for your favorite gardener this holiday season? (Even if that gardener is you!) :-) Just click on any of the links above for some great suggestions, or visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html.
You will obviously need the basic gardening products no matter what you are planting, such as a hoe, spade, fork, and maybe even a shovel. You must have watering supplies, like a water hose and perhaps a sprinkler. Other possibilities include a spade, a pot (if you are pot planting), and a pair of gloves for comfort, some secateurs, or a rake. When first starting a garden you will definitely want some type of mulch or potting soil to get your dirt ready. There are a few types of potting soil to choose from, including organic potting mix, seed starting potting mix, cactus potting mix, and root development potting mix, just to name a few. (You can easily find all of these online - for a one-stop shop, try http://www.newholisticliving.com/products.html#SGProducts.)
Once you have your garden planted, you must have gardening products so that you can add nutrients to the soil to ensure a healthy plant life. Miracle-Gro
is one of the most popular growing enhancements for plants. There are many different types of Miracle-Gro to choose from and what kind you choose will depend on what you are trying to grow. For sustainable and organic gardening, of course you will want to look for the organic varieties. You will also want to add fertilizer, such as compost or manure.If you are growing vegetables or herbs, you may need different gardening products than flower gardens require. If you are growing tomatoes you will need a tomato cage
and ties to protect the plants against the wind. Many plants, especially vines, are designed to grow on something and you will need to have a fence or trellis of some sort.Gardening products are not limited to just the gardening necessities; they can also come in the form of decoration. There are decorative flower pots, sundials
, plastic figurines, stones or bricks for a pathway or looks, and even lawn furniture. Decoration will add to the charm and uniqueness of your garden and are an excellent way to give it a personal touch.The winter months will bring a whole new set of gardening products to store shelves. When the frost hits, the prime place to put your plants are in a greenhouse
. Mini-greenhouses are pretty easy to find nowadays, and can be relatively inexpensive to purchase (or very inexpensive to build, yourself). However, if you do not have a greenhouse, a tarp or row cover can be used to cover plants up at night. You also might need a light source, like a heat lamp, to both keep plants warm and give them extra light.New and upgraded gardening products are always popping up on the market. It seems like every day there is some gardening product that claims to be bigger and better than the last. While many gardening products are not a necessity, they sure make the job a lot easier and more enjoyable.
So why not grab one of these gardening products as a gift for your favorite gardener this holiday season? (Even if that gardener is you!) :-) Just click on any of the links above for some great suggestions, or visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Great Gifts for Gardeners
There is nothing nicer than receiving a gift relating to one's passion. If your loved one's passion is gardening, then show your thoughtfulness by giving a gift that will be truly appreciated.
There are so many great gardening gifts that the only constraint is your own budget.
If your budget is small...
Go for things like gloves, kneepads or even a shady hat. A pretty pot (or a watering-can) filled with a small bag of potting mix, a packet of bulbs, some gloves and a small trowel or other tool will be received with delight by most gardeners. There are many hand tools at hardware stores that are reasonably priced. And you can even find most of these things online on sites like Amazon.com at a great price. (On a personal note, several years ago my best friend gave me a pair of rubber gardening shoes. A small gift, but I can tell you I have worn them hundreds of times, and they are now an essential part of my gardening attire!)
But if you feel that is too ordinary, how about a subscription to a gardening magazine? A tiny bit more expensive perhaps, but it will give twelve full months of delight. A book on gardening is another idea, but make sure your recipient does not already have the one you choose. Books are often heavily discounted at Christmas time, so you may get a bargain. There is a huge range of gardening books and magazines on just about every facet of gardening you can imagine. (For some suggestions see below, or visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html and scroll down for some great gift ideas.)
On the other hand, a pot that contains a flowering plant is usually a welcomed gift. Be sure to choose a plant that is suited to your climate. Sometimes plants are sent from tropical to temperate zones and kept in artificial conditions in the store. These plants will not do well once taken from their environment. Shrub roses are hardy and attractive and grow in many climates. Tulips do best in a cooler climate.
If you have some room in your budget...
A more expensive tool may be appropriate. A pull-trolley is easier to use than a wheelbarrow and, like some electric tools, is still not terribly expensive. Small electric tools such as whipper-snippers can retail for as little as $20.00. Or if your friend has a hose but not a hose reel, then that would be a very useful gift that he would truly appreciate.
Automatic lawn mowers, electric cultivators, hedge trimmers and brush cutters are in the more expensive price range and you are the only one who can decide whether that is an appropriate gift. However, when the recipient realizes you have given a gift that complements his passion, expensive or not, it will certainly be a gift they will remember!
(For see below for a couple of suggestions, or visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html and scroll down for a number of great gift ideas for the gardener in your life.)
A Few Good Organic Gardening Books & Magazines:
There are so many great gardening gifts that the only constraint is your own budget.
If your budget is small...
Go for things like gloves, kneepads or even a shady hat. A pretty pot (or a watering-can) filled with a small bag of potting mix, a packet of bulbs, some gloves and a small trowel or other tool will be received with delight by most gardeners. There are many hand tools at hardware stores that are reasonably priced. And you can even find most of these things online on sites like Amazon.com
at a great price. (On a personal note, several years ago my best friend gave me a pair of rubber gardening shoes. A small gift, but I can tell you I have worn them hundreds of times, and they are now an essential part of my gardening attire!)But if you feel that is too ordinary, how about a subscription to a gardening magazine
? A tiny bit more expensive perhaps, but it will give twelve full months of delight. A book on gardening is another idea, but make sure your recipient does not already have the one you choose. Books are often heavily discounted at Christmas time, so you may get a bargain. There is a huge range of gardening books and magazines on just about every facet of gardening you can imagine. (For some suggestions see below, or visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html and scroll down for some great gift ideas.)On the other hand, a pot that contains a flowering plant is usually a welcomed gift. Be sure to choose a plant that is suited to your climate. Sometimes plants are sent from tropical to temperate zones and kept in artificial conditions in the store. These plants will not do well once taken from their environment. Shrub roses are hardy and attractive and grow in many climates. Tulips do best in a cooler climate.
If you have some room in your budget...
A more expensive tool may be appropriate. A pull-trolley is easier to use than a wheelbarrow and, like some electric tools, is still not terribly expensive. Small electric tools such as whipper-snippers can retail for as little as $20.00. Or if your friend has a hose but not a hose reel, then that would be a very useful gift that he would truly appreciate.
Automatic lawn mowers, electric cultivators, hedge trimmers and brush cutters are in the more expensive price range and you are the only one who can decide whether that is an appropriate gift. However, when the recipient realizes you have given a gift that complements his passion, expensive or not, it will certainly be a gift they will remember!
(For see below for a couple of suggestions, or visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html and scroll down for a number of great gift ideas for the gardener in your life.)
A Few Good Organic Gardening Books & Magazines
:Saturday, March 26, 2011
Picking the Right Gardening Tools
If you’re thinking about taking your gardening seriously and growing a lot of your own food this year, then you will want to get the right garden tools
to help you in this. You might be tempted to go out to the store and just buy the nearest things you see, but you’ll be much happier and more productive in your gardening if you put some thought into the styles and types of tools you’re buying. There are styles designed just for gardening, and you’ll be better off buying those.
Image via WikipediaYou can find most of the tools you will need at your local gardening or home improvement store. Usually the employees will be happy to assist you in finding the ideal tools. If you go to a shop that specializes in gardening, you can usually get some advice in addition to service. Gardening store employees are usually an untapped wealth of wisdom, and they can be a great resource.
If you are having a hard time finding the right tool or if you want to save some money, you might try looking online for the supplies you need. You’ll have to pay the shipping costs and wait an extra week or two, but often if you buy more than one tool, the total savings will be worth it. (You should always buy from a reputable seller, though, and search around beforehand for anything negative that people had to say about their buying experience. Amazon.com has some good deals, and you can find buyer feedback for most of their sellers.)
Image via WikipediaAs far as basic digging tools go, you might already have all you’ll need. There are several types that you should get though, for different specific tasks. A round point shovel
is good for digging holes for plants. A spade
is necessary for all the more intricate work. Some people say a garden fork is not a necessity, but I've found it is one of my most-used tools - I don't think I'd even have a garden right now without one! I guess it depends on whether you are digging your garden yourself, or creating a raised bed using store-bought soil. If you are digging in existing soil, you will definitely want a digging fork
, especially if the area has not been gardened in for a while (or ever). Having these different varieties of digging tools can help you to minimize the work you have to do. For example, if you try digging a big hole with a little spade then you’ll end up rather tired. The same goes if you are attempting to do more detailed work with a big clumsy shovel.
A rake is an absolute necessity for many gardeners. You most likely already have one, but I’m guessing it’s a lawn rake and not a garden rake. There is definitely a difference, and if you try to use a lawn rake in a garden then you will not be happy with the results. Same if you buy a grading or a contractor’s rake. You’ll want to look for a bowhead rake
. I’ve found these are the best for gardening purposes. They will provide you the maximum control and accuracy, so you don’t accidentally tear up your precious plants.
As far as hoes go, I don’t believe any gardener should have less than 3. There are so many useful varieties on the market that I have a hard time recommending just one, and that’s why I’ll tell you all the ones I usually use. The one I use the most is the onion hoe
, which is very lightweight and ideal for small cultivations and weeding. The Warren hoe
is a larger model, with a pointed end. If you need to make a hole or dig out a pesky weed, this is the one for you. There are several other varieties, but I recommend starting with the ones I mentioned. As you progress in your gardening savvy, you will find the need for more types.
Most people believe that gardening just consists of a simple spade. But there are many, many tools with many more variations that you will use in your gardening career. Usually you can start with just a few different tools, but you’ll always find that you can use more varieties for special situations. It’s just a matter of recognizing when one tool could be more efficient than another.
(For some more info and recommendations on gardening tools, be sure to visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html and sign up for the free weekly sustainable gardening newsletter.)
A Few Good Garden Tools to Check Out:
to help you in this. You might be tempted to go out to the store and just buy the nearest things you see, but you’ll be much happier and more productive in your gardening if you put some thought into the styles and types of tools you’re buying. There are styles designed just for gardening, and you’ll be better off buying those.
Image via WikipediaYou can find most of the tools you will need at your local gardening or home improvement store. Usually the employees will be happy to assist you in finding the ideal tools. If you go to a shop that specializes in gardening, you can usually get some advice in addition to service. Gardening store employees are usually an untapped wealth of wisdom, and they can be a great resource.If you are having a hard time finding the right tool or if you want to save some money, you might try looking online for the supplies you need. You’ll have to pay the shipping costs and wait an extra week or two, but often if you buy more than one tool, the total savings will be worth it. (You should always buy from a reputable seller, though, and search around beforehand for anything negative that people had to say about their buying experience. Amazon.com
has some good deals, and you can find buyer feedback for most of their sellers.)
Image via WikipediaAs far as basic digging tools go, you might already have all you’ll need. There are several types that you should get though, for different specific tasks. A round point shovel is good for digging holes for plants. A spade is necessary for all the more intricate work. Some people say a garden fork is not a necessity, but I've found it is one of my most-used tools - I don't think I'd even have a garden right now without one! I guess it depends on whether you are digging your garden yourself, or creating a raised bed using store-bought soil. If you are digging in existing soil, you will definitely want a digging fork, especially if the area has not been gardened in for a while (or ever). Having these different varieties of digging tools can help you to minimize the work you have to do. For example, if you try digging a big hole with a little spade then you’ll end up rather tired. The same goes if you are attempting to do more detailed work with a big clumsy shovel. A rake is an absolute necessity for many gardeners. You most likely already have one, but I’m guessing it’s a lawn rake and not a garden rake. There is definitely a difference, and if you try to use a lawn rake in a garden then you will not be happy with the results. Same if you buy a grading or a contractor’s rake. You’ll want to look for a bowhead rake
. I’ve found these are the best for gardening purposes. They will provide you the maximum control and accuracy, so you don’t accidentally tear up your precious plants.As far as hoes go, I don’t believe any gardener should have less than 3. There are so many useful varieties on the market that I have a hard time recommending just one, and that’s why I’ll tell you all the ones I usually use. The one I use the most is the onion hoe
, which is very lightweight and ideal for small cultivations and weeding. The Warren hoe is a larger model, with a pointed end. If you need to make a hole or dig out a pesky weed, this is the one for you. There are several other varieties, but I recommend starting with the ones I mentioned. As you progress in your gardening savvy, you will find the need for more types.Most people believe that gardening just consists of a simple spade. But there are many, many tools with many more variations that you will use in your gardening career. Usually you can start with just a few different tools, but you’ll always find that you can use more varieties for special situations. It’s just a matter of recognizing when one tool could be more efficient than another.
(For some more info and recommendations on gardening tools, be sure to visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html and sign up for the free weekly sustainable gardening newsletter.)
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