March 19, 2007 — Last week I shared with you five of the 10 gardening products my company judged as the "coolest garden gear and gadgets for the new year." Essentially, these are the products we believe all gardeners would benefit from having in their gardening arsenal.In order to make the cut out of the literally hundreds of products we review each year, the winners must be either unique, an noteworthy improvement on an already great idea or an older product that still adds so much utility it has yet to meet its match.
In all cases the products must be of high quality, high value and truly useful to gardeners.
Now for the remaining five products:
Dual-Flo professional-grade nozzle
Choice Products has developed a nozzle design that has the unique ability to deliver a soft stream of water, suitable for gently filling watering cans and buckets or for watering tender plants directly. But, with one easy twist of a side-mounted knob, it instantly redirects the water into a high-pressure flow, strong enough to clean even the most stubborn mud off a driveway.
We especially enjoyed the convenience of being able to use the high-pressure flow and then turn right around and water the plants and containers just a few feet away — without having to replace one nozzle with another.
Scotts Deluxe EdgeGuard broadcast spreader
We were first attracted to the EdgeGuard spreader by a design feature that allows it to serve as a broadcast and as a drop-spreader, all in one. An easy to use on / off control lever instantly activates a protective shield below the hopper that prevents fertilizer and other chemicals from being thrown onto areas where it is not intended, such as waterways, streets and other impervious surfaces.
This spreader offers the best of both worlds and a more eco-friendly solution for avoiding excess chemical runoff.
Fiskars Power-Lever Easy Reach Pruner
We found these pruners filled a need where few quality products exist. They offer an easy way to get into those hard-to-reach places when loppers just won't do. Clean cuts in tight spaces are a breeze, thanks to the extended reach and patented design that also allows for increased cutting power.
For us, the shorter 15-inch model made pruning plants such as thorny roses a breeze and it kept our tester's hands safely away from injury. The extra length 25-inch version provided trouble-free pruning from a standing position in many cases, making it easier on our tired backs.
Hook-and-loop plant ties and straps
Sometimes the very best products are ones you take for granted every day. We've been using these hook-and-loop plant ties around The joe gardener Company for so long they are simply second nature. From easily and quickly securing vegetable plants and flower stems to stakes, bundling tools or taming hoses, the uses in the garden are becoming more apparent every day.
TerraCycle
This product is garbage, literally! Garbage that is fed to worms whose organic waste (poop actually) is nutrient-rich food for plants. The technical term for the process of collecting worm castings (poop) is vermicomposting. The value of worm castings to plants and soil is clearly documented and backed by years of scientific research.
TerraCycle's marquis products are plant foods that are all natural, liquid fertilizers that are effective yet safe for the environment and readily available through mass-market retailers.
(Joe Lamp'l, a master gardener, hosts DIY's Fresh from the Garden as well as a gardening radio show. For more information, visit www.joegardener.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
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