It’s time for the 2008 selections for The joe gardener Best of the Must-haves awards. Hundreds of products are tested by many gardeners, but only a few earn this coveted distinction.
CowPots
Moo…ve over peat pots and plastic containers. There’s a new eco-friendly product on the market and it is utterly awesome. CowPots (www.cowpots.com) are good for gardeners and the environment.
CowPots use a process of drying composted manure into a plantable pot. The pots last for months in a greenhouse but break down within weeks once planted in the ground. As they decompose, they feed the plant and enrich the soil. Unlike peat moss, from which peat pots are made, cow manure is a highly renewable resource.
The ET Manager
Much of the water used outside to irrigate lawns and landscapes is wasted due to evaporation and runoff. Overwatering can also lead to unnecessary diseases. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a way of knowing when lawns and plants really need to be watered? Now there is.
The ET Manager by Rain Bird (www.rainbird.com) is a small device about the size of a deli sandwich. It connects to virtually any installed irrigation timer and uses local, real-time weather data collected on an hourly basis to determine if the scheduled irrigation cycle is necessary. If not, the ET Manager overrides the system for that cycle. This saves money and improves the health of lawns, plants and the planet as we seek effective ways to conserve such a valuable resource.
Enki Watering System
At first glance, the Enki Watering System (www.myenki.com) by Ovation Science appears simply to be an attractive watering pitcher. But built-in patented technology increases oxygen content in the water by as much as five times. Simply put, oxygen in the soil stimulates plant growth and yield.
Our performance results were backed by a study conducted at the University of Minnesota horticultural department. “Plant quality, flowers, foliage, yield and size all increased or were improved.” The Enki system also provides gardeners with a green way to grow better results naturally, with no added chemicals or fertilizers.
Spear-it
The Spear-it is a clever device that helps long-handled garden tools such as bow rakes and hoes stand up to any job. Appropriately named, the Spear-it tools (www.bushprotools.com) include a fold-down ‘spear’ that rests firmly against the handle until you’re ready to set it down. Then you simply fold the spear away from the handle and down toward the ground, allowing the spear to penetrate the ground while keeping the tool firmly upright.
With the Spear-it tools always standing up, the risks and danger associated with stepping on them later or running over them with a lawn mower are virtually eliminated.
Kneeling bench
This folding kneeling bench by GroWorks (800-594-4000) is a convenient way to get some relief in the garden in several ways: a padded platform for the knees, support for getting up, and a place to rest, too.
When a well-deserved break is in order, or it’s time to do some pruning or trimming higher up, simply flip it over and it becomes a sturdy bench, strong enough for even the brawniest weekend warrior. And it all folds down into a compact size, ready for the next adventure in the garden.
Rechargeable tools
Imagine tackling nearly any outdoor weekend-warrior project without ever having to reach for the gasoline can. Black &Decker (www.blackanddecker.com) is making outdoor work easier with a wonderful array of cordless, battery-operated, rechargeable tools. This equates to convenience, and more importantly, less pollution from carbon emissions. So now we have a versatile, practical and more environmentally responsible way to clean up our yards and the planet.
Two rugged 18-volt batteries come with each product. Equipment choices currently include common tools such as a blower, a cultivator, a pole pruner, string and hedge trimmers and even a light-duty chain saw.
For more information on these products or the selection process, go to www.joegardener.com.
Joe Lamp’l, host of Fresh from the Garden on the DIY Network and GardenSMART on PBS, is a master gardener and author. For more information visit www.joegardener.com and www.DIYnetwork.com.
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