Harnett County Center
10 THINGS NO GARDENER SHOULD BE WITHOUT, 6/5/98
If you've been gardening for any length of time, you no doubt have a few things you just couldn't live without. Just as no two gardens are alike, each person's list would be a bit different. But here are a few items you might want to think about.
SOAKER HOSE
Here's a tool that for about $10 will help the environment, reduce your water bill, and help prevent plant diseases. That's a bargain if you ask me! A soaker hose applies water right where you need it, with little evaporation or runoff. Since the water is applied to the soil, the foliage stays dry which helps prevent disease.
COMPOST PILE
What could be better than a free source of mulch? Mulch helps to control weeds, reduce water loss, and adds nutrients to the soil. And chances are you already have all the needed materials to build one. Give me a call for details on how to build one.
LAWN MAINTENANCE CALENDAR
Here's the secret to a beautiful lawn. Your free maintenance calendar gives you all the details on what to do, how to do it, and when. Let me know what type of grass you have and I'll mail you a copy.
PEN AND PAPER
Successful gardening is not all digging and weeding. It also involves sitting in the shade with a cool glass of lemonade. This is the time to calculate fertilizer rates, sketch a design for the new flower bed, and record pesticide applications. Start a garden notebook to record that favorite tomato variety, or that pesticide for controlling powdery mildew.
GARDEN INFORMATION LINE
Good information is another key to successful gardening. Want to know how to grow blueberries? Wondering how to control bagworms? Just call (910) 893-7533. You can speak with me or a Master Gardener Volunteer about your question. We have access to hundreds of pamphlets that we can send you.
HAND PRUNERS
I like to keep these in my back pocket whenever I'm in the garden. There are always dead, diseased, and damaged branches to be removed, or infected foliage. Plus, they come in handy for harvesting herbs and cutting flowers. Look for quality, as they will be used often.
YARD CART
A variation on the age-old wheelbarrow, I use my yard cart frequently. Made of durable plastic, it's lightweight and rust free. Uses are innumerable, such as hauling weeds to the compost pile, carrying tools, and moving heavy bags of lime. Again, look for quality, especially if you will abuse it like I do.
COMPUTER
I must be joking, right? Not at all, actually. If you call me to ask a question, chances are I'm clicking away on the internet looking for the answer. Most of the hundreds of pamphlets I mentioned above can be found there, not to mention previous "Plant Talk" columns. Don't have a computer? Many libraries now offer internet access.
DANDELION REMOVER
There are a variety of different styles, from short handheld "pokers" to long models that you can use while standing. There's nothing more frustrating than pulling the top off a dandelion or other weed and knowing the root will shortly produce a new plant.
GARDEN TROWEL
From soil sampling to transplanting to dividing a plant to share with a neighbor, this is another "indispensable". Since it sees frequent use, remember the old axiom "you get what you pay for".
So now you know my favorites. There's probably one to two you would add or leave off. But as you can see, if you have the right tools you are well on your way to having a green thumb.
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