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G R E A T G I F T I D E A S F O R G A R D E N E R S

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by Jean Starr petaltalk-jean.com

*Where possible, I have included links to retail sources for products featured.

Unless otherwise noted, products were given to me as a trial.

I love this book! Not only does it have great

photos, but authors Jere and Emilee Gettle

offer interesting history about our favorite

veggies along with tips on how to grow and

cook them. The Gettles are founders of Baker

Creek Heirloom Seeds.

A great example are the instructions on

cleaning a leek. Remember the first time you

used a leek for a recipe? It seemed the entire

vegetable was filled with dirt! Not only do the

Gettles tell why this is, they tell you how to

clean it, and which is the tastiest part!

I attended a presentation by Jere Gettle in

Chicago. He spoke about genetically-altered

food, specifically vegetables. Until I heard him

speak, the topic seemed way to complicated to

understand.

Jere Gettle lives and breathes vegetables—

from their historic origins to their growth and

uses around the world. The Heirloom Life

Gardener is a compilation of what Gettle has

gleaned so far in his travels and experience.

And that’s quite a lot!

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I don’t think there is a gardener around who

hasn’t given a thought about or even a try at

forcing bulbs. Especially those in cold climates.

Author Art Wolk’s talent for explaining complex

topics in an easily-understood manner is obvious

in this book.

Bulb Forcing for Beginners and the Seriously

Smitten is a joy to peruse, and I guarantee has a

90 percent likelihood it will force a gardener on

the fence into the world of bulb forcing.

And with his experience as a bulb exhibitor at the

Philadelphia Flower Show, Wolk gives readers a

level to strive for.

Great photos, informative and humorous

anecdotes and priceless instruction are all

included in this book. Chapter 22 itself is worth

the price of the book for its step by step guide to

a gorgeous mixed garden that makes it look like

anyone can do it!

If you can get your hands on a dozen or so spring

bulbs to present along with this book, your

favorite gardener will be saying “thank you” for

months to come.

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Garden Girl Gardening Gloves

These gloves are both attractive and

comfortable; they actually feel

great on my hands!

Ethel Gloves - Rendezvous

The Ethel Glove is substantial yet

pliable. If you like a fitted glove, these

are for you. If you like a roomier fit,

order a size larger than you’d normally

wear.

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Ray Padula Hose Nozzles I’m tough on my hoses and their nozzles.

They’re dropped and dragged, and our well

water takes its toll on the inner workings of

anything it touches through the season. I

bought the Ray Padula nozzle from

Chesterton Feed & Garden early in the

season. It was inexpensive, and it held up to

my torture all summer.

I love that it’s easy to turn on and off, and

has lots of spray patterns, including a mist

pattern that’s perfect for seed starting.

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ScareCrow®Motion-activated Animal Deterrent The ScareCrow Motion-activated Animal

Deterrent is great if you have plants you

want to protect and say, a groundhog,

deer, or squirrels that want to mess with

them.

This tool is expensive at just under $100,

but worth the price if you consider how

much time and effort you put into your

garden.

I put mine near the vegetable garden with

a shut-off valve that I would flip when I

wanted to garden in the area. The battery

lasted nearly the entire season, and I had a

bumper crop of tomatoes, potatoes and

peppers!

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From Farm to Market

Shovel and Hoe

Nutscene Twine

I purchased the Nutscene twine with terra cotta holder

several years ago from Bosmere, which no longer carries the

holder or the twine. Since then, I’ve purchased the twine in

a can as well as refills I can put into the holder where it’s

mounted handily outdoors under the patio roof.

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The VegTrug

I love my VegTrug! Although I consider this my

“trial” season, I can see it will be useful for years to

come. I used it to start seeds in late March, which is

when I also planted a row of beets in the center where

the planter is deepest.

I purchased the greenhouse and the screen covers with

the frame so that I could discourage the cat and the

deer from using and eating from it in the summer and

help keep the frost away in late fall. In late November,

I still have parsley and beets still looking good.

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Rainforest Sprinklers

Gentle, far-reaching, and economical – what’s not to love about Rainforest Sprinklers?

I have a lot of gardens to cover and a lot of sprinklers I’ve used beat them up pretty badly. I like that

this style does not, and I especially like that they are manufactured in North America out of 100%

recycled materials.

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Silky Zubat 270

Cuts like butter. Really. This is the perfect saw for those with

limited strength. There is seldom need for undercutting,

especially when pruning branches less than 5” in diameter. It’s

well-made with an excellent feel. It’s not inexpensive, but

you’ll find its value every time you go to cut a branch or even

saplings that might have gotten out of hand. I purchased the

Silky Zubat 270 at Taltree Arboretum & Gardens.

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Carruth Studios I’ve been collecting

Carruth designs for

several years. Of course,

I especially like their

canine sculptures.

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Carolina Today Video interview

This great series, by Laura

Baldwin, injects the fun into

eating vegetables. The title

character is Harry, an

exuberant little terrier-like

dog that loves his veggies

(except for turnips at first in

the latest book.) and spreads

the word to all the kids

around him. The book

encourages kids to garden, or

at least shows them where

their veggies come from.

These books are great for

children, but I must say, I

liked it too!