Gardening is a breeze when I use my Favorite Garden Items!
As an avid gardener, I have accumulated numerous tools and items over the years. Each one has a unique purpose and is used accordingly. However, there are those special items that I reach for over and over and will replace in a heartbeat once they are past their prime. I'm including real pictures of my list items, dirty and worn out to show you that I really do own and use them! In no particular order, here is the list of my top ten favorite garden items that have made my experience in the garden so much easier!
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Hoselink: This is a relatively new addition to my garden, and I am so glad I purchased it. In fact I loved it so much I bought a second one! Having a retractable hose reel mounted to the post of my enclosed kitchen garden keeps my garden area neat and tidy. I installed it by myself fairly easily. It is secure and easy to use. I did have to purchase an extension for the leader hose to attach it to the spigot because my hanging location was farther away than the 6.5 foot hose that comes with it. I have both a 50 foot hose reel and an 82 foot hose reel, and use them all the time! The best part is not having to wind up a hose. One gentle tug and it retracts all by itself!
To compare to the Hoselink, I purchased an Ayleid Retractable Hose from Amazon and found it is quite satisfactory for its price point. I prefer the Hoselink, but absolutely recommend the Ayleid if that fits your budget better.
Regardless of the brand, to maintain the durability of your retractable hose, drain after use and before retracting. Store during the winter months to avoid freezing temperatures.
Plant support clips and stakes: These green stakes and clips are so useful. I keep them in the shed over the winter, but during the growing season they are in the garden! I lean them up in the corner of the enclosure and I hook the clips along the hog wire panels for quick one handed access. No more tying plants to stakes!
Vego beds: I chose these raised metal beds for my deer proof kitchen garden and I am so glad I did! They were easy to install and are very sturdy. The heights are fantastic for my lower back issues. Read more in my blog post The Pros and Cons of Raised Beds.
Drip irrigation and timer: It took me a little while to figure out how to set up drip irrigation. However once I did it, I wanted to kick myself for not doing it sooner! I added drip irrigation to all of the Vego beds and surrounding potted plants. The timer also controls various sprinklers that I placed around the yard to water the fruit orchard and flower beds. I can finally go out of town and rest assured that my plants will not die of thirst in the hot South Carolina sun while I’m gone!
Produce basket: My sister gave me this for my birthday, and I use it every day. First, I love the color! It matches my bistro table and potted containers in my enclosed kitchen garden. Second, it is so functional. I collect all my produce and take it straight to the hose to rinse before bringing it inside. It’s like a giant colander! When I’m done, I wipe it out and it’s ready for the next load!
Small clippers: Like most gardeners, I have several clippers and pruners for working in the yard. This small clipper is my favorite. I use it every day for harvesting, deadheading and snipping flowers. I need heavier duty clippers for thicker stems like roses or blackberry branches, but for the most part these are my go to clippers!
Nitrile coated gardening gloves: My mother-in-law has stopped asking me what I want for my birthday and just sends me these gloves. I wear them all the time in the garden. I also use them for cleaning up the chicken coop. The rubber coating keeps my hands clean and protected and the fabric liner breathes. I wash them under the hose and hang them up to dry. Eventually they do wear out at the fingertips hence the steady supply from my MIL.
*Ginger Tip: the bright colors are fun and happy, but green gloves disappear in the grass!
Battery Powered Auger: My husband doubted my decision when I purchased this online, but he quickly apologized after using it the first time! He and our son-in-law, Jon, dug every hole for the posts in my enclosed kitchen garden with this tough little guy. We have dense clay soil with rocks and they managed to dig into it with this. They also used a post hole digger to lift out the dirt from the depth of the holes and a tamping bar to help break loose super large rocks. Otherwise, the auger did most of the work for them. We also use it to dig holes for small trees and bushes. It’s such a time saver! Again, my lower back is pleased, too! Bonus: it breaks down into two pieces to store easily. Did I mention that it's battery powered?!
Debris bags: This is a must have in every gardener’s shed. Its plastic bottom withstands the rocks as I drag it around the yard and pull weeds or prune plants. It collapses and hangs easily in the shed. It’s the best!
Garden Calendars: I have a couple different garden calendars for different purposes. For example, Clemson Extension provides a nice calendar “chart” for planting and sowing in our growing zone. I also have one for the lawn. My favorite one is the book Week by Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook. After filling in the dates with before/after frost dates in each section, it can be used every year every week. I love the tips and suggestions in it as well. It’s perfect for a new gardener.
I hope this list inspires you to get in the garden and start digging! What are your favorite garden items? Please leave a comment!
For more of my favorite garden items, check out my list curated by myself and my fellow gardeners:
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