Hose Bowl Planter
The trouble with garden hoses in my experience is that most of them are lawn colored. Now this may be a boon to those who are more organized or indeed have better eyesight than me; you can leave your hose out while watering the lawn and not have it stick out like a sore thumb. For me it simply becomes a hazard because invariably the hose winds up wrapped around the blades of my mower; such is the nature of camouflage. These days I prefer a easier to avoid yellow hose but then my lawn then looks like…Well, it looks like a lawn with yellow hoses. Hose reels are no more attractive either because now not only can people see the hose it’s elevated and there’s this big contraption looking like part of a medieval siege engine hiding in your bushes. But not to worry, this ingenious product takes care of the organization and hides the hose nicely to boot. This nifty poly resin bowl has a hole in the back to feed the hose through, and inside you can coil up 75 feet of “as ugly as you want it” garden hose. The lid doubles as a planter perfectly hiding whatever color water hose you may keep in there. The Hose Bowl Planter is available from Skymall for $59.99
Sunday ~ November 11, 2007 by Steve W Posted in Garden Tools, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Worm Composting: A Great Project for Kids
If you’re looking for a fun way to get your kids involved in composting, try out a worm-composting bin that uses red wiggler worms. Worm composting (also known as vermicomposting) is a clean, safe, and odor-free way to compost your family’s kitchen scraps. This is way more fun than an ant farm, and better for the environment, too! Worm composting also allows you to compost year round, as you can move the bin inside your garage during the coolest months of winter.
Monday ~ May 05, 2007 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Gifts for Women, Gardening Lifestyle, Kids, Organic Gardening, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Aerogrow planter lets you grow salad right in the kitchen
Looking for a cool gift for the gardener who likes to cook? Check out the Aerogrow indoor kitchen garden. The comprehensive video review above comes from Groovy Green, a great site about sustainable living and renewable energy.
Friday ~ February 02, 2007 by Ulrich Posted in Gardening Gifts for Women, Gardening Lifestyle, Organic Gardening, Serious Gardener, Vegetables | Add Your Comments
Kitchen Composter
Feeling lazy about going out to the compost bin in the winter? Not to worry, this kitchen compost unit is an excellent gardening gift that allows you to compost (smell-free) from the comfort of your own kitchen! It uses a unique fermenting process to decompose organic material. The kitchen composter is also a great gift for those who live in apartments and who may not have room to set up an outdoor compost bin. 
Wednesday ~ December 12, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Gifts for Women, Gardening Lifestyle, Organic Gardening, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Upside-Down Tomato Garden
Vegetable gardening just got a lot easier with this cool upside down planter from Hammacher Schlemmer & Company. It holds up to 80 pounds of topsoil and is also suitable for growing other plants like herbs on the top layer. This planter is great for balconies, decks, or any space that gets enough sunlight! And don’t forget about the award winning Topsy Turvy Planter for growing great tomatoes vertically!
Thursday ~ November 11, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Lifestyle, Greenhouse Gardening, Serious Gardener, Vegetables | Add Your Comments
Troy-Bilt Self Propelled 6.5HP Chipper Shredder and Vacuum
Fall cleanup can be a hassle. However, this excellent Troy-Bilt Self Propelled 6.5HP Chipper Shredder Vac 
Wednesday ~ November 11, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Toro 38025 1800 Electric Power Curve Snow Thrower
I just noticed that Amazon.com is having a big sale on tools for fall and winter gardening For example, you can get this excellent Toro Electric Power Curve Snow Thrower
Wednesday ~ October 10, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Lifestyle, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Organic Gardening for the 21st Century by John Fedor
Organic Gardening for the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs and Flowers is an excellent book that will introduce you to all the newest organic gardening techniques and technologies. The book starts with the basics of organic gardening, and then goes on to describe more advanced techniques, making it a perfect resource for all gardeners. The tips are useful and practical, too, without being out of reach for the average gardener. Check out more books about organic gardening here.
Friday ~ September 09, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Books, Organic Gardening, Serious Gardener, Vegetables | Add Your Comments
Pocket Chain Saw
Got heavy cleaning up to do in the garden that requires lots of chopping and cutting, but don’t want to use a big chainsaw? The Pocket Chain Saw is a great alternative. You can make quick work of logs and branches with this handy garden tool made of high strength, heat-treated steel. In addition to helping out in the garden, because of its compact size the Pocket Chain Saw can help you get around unusual work spaces. It also makes a great camping tool and will allow you to cut firewood or clear a trail or campsite in minutes. The saw when stored weighs only 5 oz. 
Thursday ~ August 08, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Lifestyle, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Gempler’s Grape Harvesting Knife
Check out this handy Grape Harvesting Knife
from Gempler’s tools. It has a hooked blade which is specifically designed for wrapping around vines and harvesting grapes. This is a professional quality tool made from high-carbon steel. The handle is made from hard woods and the blade is fastened to the handle with brass compression rivets. This garden tool works great for a variety of gardening tasks and will last you a lifetime!
Wednesday ~ August 08, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Gifts for Women, Gardening Lifestyle, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
New Line of Fiskars Garden Tools
Fiskars is one of the oldest garden tool companies in the world. They’ve been making tools since 1649! Fiskars recently came out with a new line of ergonomic garden tools which were put to the test by the East Valley Tribune of Mesa, Arizona. You can read more about these tools and a review at the East Valley Tribune website. The Fiskars website also has lots of information and great photos. Buy Fiskars garden tools here. 
Tuesday ~ August 08, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Ergonomic Gardening, Garden Tools, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Rittenhoue Garden Shears
Rittenhouse is proven name in garden supplies and garden tools. I found this very cool garden shear set on their website that has a set of English Sheffield steel shears, a sheath, and a sharpener. While these shears are for serious gardening, they are so easy to use that they will make novice gardeners very happy.
Thursday ~ August 08, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Japanese Garden Tools
The Japanese Woodworker’s Catalog has a huge selection of garden tools including garden machetes (shown above), ikebana flower cutting shears, trowels, garden hoes, etc. In my opinion, Japanese garden tools are some of the highest quality (and coolest looking) tools you can buy. I once had a Japanese garden saw that suffered fires, floods, and serious abuse during its life, and keep sharp for about 15 years!
Tuesday ~ August 08, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Lifestyle, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Gardener’s Supply Company
The Gardener’s Supply Company has a huge selection of gardening tools and other goodies for gardeners. You can also take advantage of their sales promotions for summer. Gifts for Gardeners - Gardener’s Supply Company
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Wednesday ~ July 07, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Lifestyle, Greenhouse Gardening, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Water Saving Gadgets
Summer is going full steam ahead, and that means you’re probably spending a lot of time and a lot of money watering your plants and your yard. Unfortunately, you may not be watering your garden very effectively. This means that you could be throwing serious money out the window. Try out a Nelson Watering Timer Another important way to save water in the garden is by collecting rainwater. You can save big money by setting up a few rain barrels around your home. Find out how to set up a rain barrel system at the Rain Barrel Guide. 
, which will allow you to regulate how long and when you water your garden plants.
Monday ~ June 06, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Lifestyle, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Recycled Whiskey Rain Barrels
These individually manufactured recycled whiskey rain barrelsare an attractive way to store rain water for use in the garden. Storing rainwater is a great way to save water, help the environment, and save money on your water bill. 
Wednesday ~ June 06, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Lifestyle, Organic Gardening, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Reel Mowers and Grass-Cycling
So I imagine by now you’ve busted out your lawn mower and have started the yearly ritual of blasting down that patch of green in your front yard. You know, standing behind a raging motor, breathing in the delicious fumes, bagging up the grass clippings, etc., etc. Well, ladies and gents, I’m here to tell you about Grass-Cycling! That is, leaving the grass clippings on the lawn. GASP! Blasphemy! “Why would I want to do that?” you say. Well, according to this government website about Grass-Cycling from the city of Philapdelphia, there are plenty of good reasons. DID YOU KNOW: Also, another thing to consider is trading in that gas-guzzling power mower for an eco-friendly reel mower. Using a reel mower means less noise, less pollution, and less money spent on gas. 
that a 40 by 100 foot lawn produces about 1,200 pounds - nearly 50 bags - of grass clippings each year? Think of the time, money, and effort it takes to bag all those clippings. Why go through all that hassle when it’s not necessary? Furthermore, you throw away $75.00 of your tax money with those 50 bags because of unnecessary collection and disposal costs. You can have a healthy green lawn and lower your City’s expenses by leaving grass clippings where they fall.
Tuesday ~ May 05, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Gardening Lifestyle, Organic Gardening, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Wellington Garden Boots
Wellington Garden Boots are boots for the serious gardener. They are comfortable, colorful, all-rubber boots that will keep you dry and clean while slogging it out in the garden or at the farm. These are the classic boots that are named for the English Duke of Wellington, who won the Battle of Waterloo. 
Wednesday ~ May 05, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Clothes for Gardening, Gardening Lifestyle, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Eco-Friendly Recycled Compost Bin
This durable compost bin has the added benefit of being made from recycled plastic. So, you’re not only doing the Earth good by composting, you’ll be helping out by buying a high quality and recycled piece of gardening equipment. It’s designed to be super efficient and easy to use. Cost is $89.95 so it’s economical, too! 
Saturday ~ April 04, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Garden Tools, Organic Gardening, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
Gardening and Horticulture Books
Timber Press is a small book press specializing in books about gardening, botany, horticulture, and natural history in the Pacific Northwest. Their book of the week is “Hardy Gingers,” which focuses on all things ginger and delicious. This is a gorgeous plant and one of my favorites. I really enjoyed perusing their collection of gardening books.
Tuesday ~ April 04, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Books, Serious Gardener | Add Your Comments
