Survival Guide :: Home Garden

I love to spend time in the garden.  Truly love it.  But the right tools for the job are always needed for any project and here are my mine for working in my home garden.   For the vegetable garden I need an entirely different kit of stuff - much larger and with many more "soil fixers" and bug repellants.  

Our garden at the old house was so established that all I really needed were two rakes, really good gloves, sunscreen, and the right information from year to year.  

:: Sunscreen ::

It seems like I am constantly looking for the perfect sunscreen/ lotion.  It has to last all day and not leave my skin dry at any point during the day.  My days are long enough without having to think about re-applying anything.  Then I just found this amazing sunscreen product from Clarins.  What I like about it is that it's just a sunscreen.  Put your fancy face lotion on first, then when that soaks in (give lotion at least five minutes) top with sunscreen.  No concerns about your skin staying radiant all day, but also no concerns about inadvertently burning in the hazy sun of spring.

:: Weed Tilling Rake :: 

This Japanese tool is perfect for breaking up the ground, turning the soil to get the dirt to look nice, and getting out even the most stubborn of tools.  I adore this rake and I have one at the vegetable garden too for getting between rows.  

:: Mini Leaf Rake ::

These mini garden rakes go where the Japanese rake may be too aggressive.  It picks up leaves from under plants and through ground cover.  It's the perfect way to get around sensitive plants that don't need a big pile of debris around them.  

:: Really Good Gloves ::

Nothing beats good gloves.  Heaven knows I have tried every kind of glove on the market and right now I am loving these Smith & Hawken green ones.  First, they actually fit me - ahem - like a glove.  Second, they are soft and supple right out of the store.  I find nothing more annoying than trying to break in gloves.  Lastly, they are thick enough to guard against small prickles and dirty fingernails.  

:: Territorial Seed Company Catalogue :: 

The right garden tools mean nothing if you have crappy plants.  I have had great luck with both Territorial Seed Company's live plants and seed packets.  The best part is that they aren't that expensive, so you can load up and feel confident in your products.

:: A Garden Journal ::

What did you plant last year?  How did it grow?  When did it bloom?  Did you do anything different?  Do you remember?  I know I don't.  There is way too much going on every day for me to think about - or even attempt to remember - my plants.  Instead, I keep notes in a small journal and track when things bloom, what we did differently, and what was planted when.  It's also really helpful for planning a grand scheme for your garden and following through with the plan.

:: A Tote ::

All of these things need to be stored somewhere.  And be easily accessible.  And it's nice to just take them from one place in the garden to the next using one hand.  I love this tote from Smith & Hawken with loads of pockets on the outside and a big opening on the inside.  I used to use a bucket, but I am loving this way more this spring.