Every year I scour
trade shows and new-product literature for truly useful things
for gardeners. Once I get my hands on the product, it gets the
torture test — a work out in my South Florida garden. Many products
don’t make the grade. I have lots of rejects ranging from pruners
that hurt my hands, hose nozzles that required two hands to operate,
gloves that I wore only once, to books that put me to sleep. The
survivors go on to become old friends, things that I pick up every
time I go out into the garden or use again and again.
For this year’s roundup,
I’ve found some new must-haves and reaffirmed a few picks from
previous years.
Soil scoop,
$15, is a Garden Works all-in-one planting tool that replaces
hand-digging/planting tools. The scoop is made of rust-resistant
stainless steel with a solid birch handle. Vicious-looking serrated
edges cut roots and move rocks out of the way. The bowl-shaped
scoop grabs potting soil or mulch easily from the bag. The pointed
tip can be used to make a planting furrow in the soil. The combination
of trowel and cutter works great for digging holes for plants
and bulbs. My only complaint is that the scoop doesn’t fit in
my tool belt. Available from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply (www.groworganic.com).
Sun Grip Gloves,
$8. I had to use them to believe them. These Garden Works gloves
are extra cool. Their ultra lightweight feel and snug fit reminds
me of surgical gloves. Once they’re on, you forget you’re wearing
gloves. Even when you get into something wet, you don’t mind them
on your hands. Sizes seem to run small; a medium fits my small
hands perfectly. Available from Stone Barn Furnishings (www.stonebarnfurnishings.com).
Historic tree
seedlings, $35 to $250. Shipping is extra. When I first
heard about this I was intrigued. Here’s a gift for friends who
aren’t big gardeners but might go for a seedling of tree that
witnessed some important piece of American history. The nursery,
American Forests Historic Tree Nursery in Jacksonville, Fla.,
created the nursery to harvest the seeds from America's historic
trees.
American Forests’ fastest
selling seedling is the George Washington poplar. Seedlings from
the pink-flowering Japanese cherry trees that grace the U. S.
Capital every spring are second, followed in popularity by seedlings
from the oak trees that line the driveways at Elvis Presley's
home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tenn.
Tree sizes average
1 - 3', and vary depending upon the species, the time of the year
ordered, and their overall age. Gift certificates are also available.
The web site makes it easy to shop by zone or tree name. www.historictrees.org
Beverly Nichols
books from Timber Press. This relatively obscure British
writer crossed my path this year, leaving an indelible mark. Nichols
(1898-1983) authored some 60 books, but his most famous are a
dozen or so gardening books written in a light and airy style.
In them, he reveals a keen observation and sensitivity to nature,
whether it be floral, human, or feline. Readers will be delighted
with witty musings about his world and the characters who visit
it.
Judging by the handful
of Nichols’ books that I’ve read, Merry Hall is probably
Nichols at his best. In it, he describes his ambitious efforts
renovating the rundown Georgian house and garden. Early on in
the book, Nichols forewarns readers “when I begin to write about
flowers I lose all sense of restraint, and it is far, far too
late to do anything about it.” Available books: The Merry Hall
Trilogy (including Merry Hall, Laughter on the Stairs,
and Sunlight on the Lawn); Garden Open Today; Garden
Open Tomorrow; Cats’ A.B.C.; and Cats’ X, Y, Z. www.timberpress.com
Sun-protective
clothing. While gardening in Florida’s hot and steamy
summer, I tested several sun-protective shirts. Two especially
impressed me. Both provide maximum sun protection (SPF 30) without
cooking you. Sun Precautions Hook & Tackle Women's Air/X-100 Shirt
. One of my favorites for its soft feel against the skin and excellent
ventilation. Drips dry. Zipper vents below the arms and across
the shoulders allow maximum ventilation. Multiple storage pockets
with mesh drainage. CoolMax® mesh lining. Roll-up collar for added
sun protection and roll-up sleeves with a tab. $65. www.sunclothingetc.com
Solumbra Safari
Shirt. This shirt got extra points for it’s silky feel and
excellent ventilation. Choose one size up to get the roominess
needed for gardening. Needed the dryer briefly to get out the
worst wrinkles. Two front-button pockets. Vented back yoke backed
by mesh panel; wide mesh inserts under the arms. $56 www.sunprecautions.com
Gardener's Tool
Belt, $28 in green, $32 in floral print. This is my favorite
apron. It’s practical and, as much a tool apron can be, attractive.
The belt is in two parts, allowing you to wear it on your hips
like a cowboy's gun holster. That way when you bend, the tools
don't fall out or jab your ribs. If you prefer, separate the two
parts and wear only one side. Durable leather loops and straps
hold tools. The floral print is especially lovely: www.rittenhouse.ca.
The Fiskars PowerGear
Anvil Lopper 7972, $32, has earned a permanent place in
my tool shed. It makes pruning branches up to 2 inches thick easy.
The gear-action minimizes strain on wrists, forearms, and shoulders.
The lopper itself is very super lightweight and only 15 1/2 inches
long. You can also get it in a longer handle for $60. Available
at most home-improvement stores. For more information, see www.fiskars.com.
Fiskars Extended
Reach Power-Lever® Grass & Hedge Shears, $70. This odd-looking
tool is one that I gladly make room for in my tool rack. My back
is especially grateful and my arms don’t mind the gentle workout.
I found it great for trimming up close to beds where overlapping
plants make it tricky to edge with the mower or a string trimmer
or when it’s too simply much trouble to pull out the power equipment.
The 10” blades neatly slip under edging plants to cut grass. The
cutting head rotates 270 degrees, which allows for convenient
angling and a more comfortable body position. Fiskars also recommends
the tool for hedges, something I disagree with. The motion is
awkward, regardless of the height of the hedge, and a strain on
shoulders and arms. www.charleysgreenhouse.com;
www.fiskars.com.
