“Catalogs offer fascinating garden tools - Anchorage Daily News”

Catalogs offer fascinating garden tools - Anchorage Daily News

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 01:26 AM PST

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Some gardeners really get into gardening tools and gadgets. It shouldn't come as any surprise to the rest of us that there are catalogs and Web-o-logs that specialize in gardening tools. These are really winter reading material. Not only will you be amazed by what is available, a good tool catalog can stimulate gardening thoughts in the middle of winter.

Garden calendar (1/20/10)

Christmas tree recyling: It is over. Do not spoil the program by taking trees to the now closed collection areas.

Sweat Peas: Order, buy and start. Pinch the outer covering with a nail clipper, soak in water for 24 hours and plant in good soil. Pinch back when they get three sets of leaves to two sets.

Seed Racks: They are up and they are dangerous. Only buy what you need, not what you desire.

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Let's start with Lee Valley Company. These folks have a standard display at many home and garden shows around the country, and it is always fun to touch their offerings instead of just looking at them in a catalog. Still, they have a great gardening "tab" on their Web site (leevalley.com), which is fun to go to as well. I never thought of a gadget to connect two bamboo tomato stakes for a longer reach, much less a nifty item that makes three stakes form a teepee without ties. Need to see some different kinds of trowels because of arthritis or want to price a composting thermometer? Check out Lee Valley.

Next, I love Rittenhouse (rittenhouse.ca), a Canadian garden, farm and nursery supplier with warehouses in the U.S. They sell almost everything you can think of from watering gardening tools and equipment to dog-shaped wire frames to make topiary displays. I don't confine myself to the Web tab designed for the home gardeners, either. Check out some of the golf course equipment, for example, over in the professional products tab or some of the sprayers in the industrial supply tab. As for pricing, if you are going to buy, make sure to check the U.S. currency flag on the opening page.

You will surely find all sorts of interesting things to consider at Gardener's Supply Company (gardeners.com). I like these folks, in part, because I bought a garden cart from them over 1,000 years ago that is still working hard for me. Their site has a bunch of tools listed in different categories, which makes it a bit easier to navigate than some tool sites. Check out the labor saving devices for some good ideas. I love the clothespin twine cutter that fits in the pocket. It can be seen over in the new tools section.

Kinsman Company (kinsmangarden.com) sells all sorts of gardening things but has a tab for gardening tools on their Web site. Need a sharpener for the mower blades or for those old shears you can't part with? How about "Better than Rocks" -- a great idea to help your deck pots and containers to hold water and provide some aeration while keeping the pots light?

Lilypons Water Gardens (lilypons.com) has been the go-to place for water garden equipment. It is also a great place to spend some time and learn about water features you might consider for your yard. Who knew there was a special sealant to divert water over waterfall rocks? Liners? What is a liner? Spend a half hour here and you will learn what you need for that water garden you have always wanted. You don't have to buy; winter catalog time is for learning too.

I have always wanted to automate the watering around our yard with a drip irrigation system. (My lovely spouse wants me to do so as well). I am going to make sure we both spend some time at Dripworks (dripworksusa.com) Web site. Not only do they have lots of neat systems to look at, but there are educational videos on setting them up.

Felco (felcostore.com) makes pruning tools. Spend a few minutes on their site to see what they have to offer, including how to choose a pruning tool and how to maintain them. Similarly, Fiskars (fiskars.com/content/garden_en_us/Garden/Home) has a bunch of stuff on their U.S. gardening Web page, including their new products. I am looking at their foot aerator, for instance. Both brands are carried in several locations here in Alaska.

While they don't sell to the general public, Growers Supply Company (growerssupplycompany.com) has a whole line of indoor gardening products and tools. Lights, fixtures, growing trays, stands and systems are featured. You can buy anything you see at local outlets.

Finally, the list wouldn't be complete with out a reference to Charley's Greenhouse and Garden (charleysgreenhouse.com). There are lots of tools listed, including, obviously, things needed in greenhouses. There is also a hard copy catalog available.

Again, if there is a catalog you think should be on one of my January lists, let me know. Happy reading in the meantime!

Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at teamingwithmicrobes.com or by calling 274-5297 during "The Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR AM-700.

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