Re: What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget?

countrynaturals 4/3/2019, 10:11 am

Judy McConnell wrote:The basic unit and an add-on. Like:
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/stack-n-grow-led-light-system/8595769RS.html#start=1

So, do you absolutely love it? Pics? This $%^ rain actually had me thinking about this, but then I discovered that I wouldn't get it before the rain is almost gone, so I'll make do with what I have for this year, but if this setup is absolutely amazing, I may just have to have one for next winter. Wink

Judy McConnell 4/3/2019, 11:46 am

Well, I had experience with a wire bookcase-like shelving unit and tied on aquarium lights before.

This set-up had everything I wanted. The only question I've had about it are the lights strong enough, because the lettuce seedlings developed long stems. The rest of the plants are doing well, tho.

The reflectors supplied may not be enough, so for the next set of seeds, I'll add foil covering over the lights to focus the light more.

Am I happy with the units - Yes! Very! The expense seems acceptable because one never makes money on backyard gardening - except for the home grown food aspect.

Judy McConnell 4/3/2019, 11:48 am

An addition - Gardeners has frequent discount coupons that might help defray the costs.

countrynaturals 4/3/2019, 11:57 am

Judy McConnell wrote:Well, I had experience with a wire bookcase-like shelving unit and tied on aquarium lights before.

This set-up had everything I wanted. The only question I've had about it are the lights strong enough, because the lettuce seedlings developed long stems. The rest of the plants are doing well, tho.

The reflectors supplied may not be enough, so for the next set of seeds, I'll add foil covering over the lights to focus the light more.

Am I happy with the units - Yes! Very! The expense seems acceptable because one never makes money on backyard gardening - except for the home grown food aspect.

Thanks, Judy. That's about what I expected.

countrynaturals 5/17/2019, 5:44 pm

Katie was cleaning out a shed and asked if I wanted this bucket -- origin unknown. I said yes, but without much enthusiasm -- I just hate to throw anything out that still has some use.

I took the thing home and used it once to water some container plants. WOW! I'M IN LOVE! I love you

This simple design is so much easier to haul around and pour from than a round bucket. Now I'm surprised that there are still round buckets left in the world. This little unsung hero deserves a medal.

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 Bucket10

countrynaturals 10/14/2019, 12:18 pm

I need a 5 gal. planter for my Brandywine. It has to come in and out with the weather. Has anyone tried these grow bags? Wadayathink?

Planter Bags

Judy McConnell 10/16/2019, 8:52 am

Tried the 5 gal bags for peppers and discovered they were too small -difficult to keep watered enough.

Last year had 15 gal bags and used them for indeterminate tomatoes - worked well.

countrynaturals 10/16/2019, 10:42 am

Judy McConnell wrote:Tried the 5 gal bags for peppers and discovered they were too small -difficult to keep watered enough.

Last year had 15 gal bags and used them for indeterminate tomatoes - worked well.

That's what I needed to know.

markqz 11/27/2019, 4:11 pm

I bought this spudger to repair my Ebook reader. Since that's something I hope I don't have to do very often, I pressed it into service as a transplant tool for sprouts. It seems to work better than a pencil, which is a bit too pointy.

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 C8NpSxu

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 C8NpSxu

**Scorpio Rising** 11/27/2019, 6:06 pm

markqz wrote:I bought this spudger to repair my Ebook reader. Since that's something I hope I don't have to do very often, I pressed it into service as a transplant tool for sprouts. It seems to work better than a pencil, which is a bit too pointy.

I love it, perfect!

markqz 12/10/2019, 9:20 pm

I got this at an all-things-Japanese store. It hasn't been as useful as I hoped, but it does come in handy from time to time. Notice I painted the handles to make it easier to find when I'm having an obviously premature senior moment:

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 I746Yjj

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 I746Yjj

**sanderson** 12/16/2019, 7:16 pm

Spudger - I learned a new word today. Very Happy

countrynaturals 2/17/2020, 12:16 pm

For my birthday, I got an 8 in 1 wheelbarrow. Yes, it's everything it's cracked up to be. No, we would never use all 8 features. (Couldn't resist getting a cat in the shot -- that's Hootie.)

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 8in110

The wheelbarrow is narrow, making it easy to navigate. It has 2 wheels, making it easy to balance -- won't tip over.

One of the best features is to use it as a dolly. The little platform has a simple locking mechanism, so it stays put.

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 8in1b10

What I was excited about was the cargo net and arms for hauling rocks.

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 8in1c10

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 8in1d10

So, what's the downside? It's just as hard to get from point A to point B as any other wheelbarrow. If your land is smooth and flat, there is no downside. If it's uneven and bumpy, like mine, this wonderful gadget is worthless. I'm back to hauling dirt and compost by the bucketful, and getting one of the guys to haul the rocks for me. Crybaby

Also, the capacity is small, so, for large loads, you'll still need a regular wheelbarrow.

**donnainzone5** 2/17/2020, 1:42 pm

I have one of these, although I haven't yet used its more esoteric features.

Yes, the capacity is small, around two cubic feet, I'd guess. Otherwise, it's an incredible gadget!

markqz 2/23/2020, 2:19 pm

If you like these clamps for creating tulle huts, then the cheapest way is direct from China:

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 Xf2pzbv

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 Xf2pzbv

Guess I should count and make sure there's a 100 ...

**donnainzone5** 2/23/2020, 5:23 pm

I generally use binder clips, although in a pinch, I resort to old-style plastic hair roller clips. They're particularly good for securing frost cloth, bird netting, regular trellis netting, etc. to supporting trellises and branches of plants/trees.

markqz 2/24/2020, 1:24 pm

donnainzone5 wrote:I generally use binder clips, although in a pinch, I resort to old-style plastic hair roller clips. They're particularly good for securing frost cloth, bird netting, regular trellis netting, etc. to supporting trellises and branches of plants/trees.

These clips have some advantages over binder clips:

Binder clips for 1/2 PVC require a fair bit of hand strength
Binder clips have sharp edges that might tear tulle
Binder clips left outside rust
Binder clips mostly come in black, rather than attractive colors

The hair roller clips I'm familiar with seem kind of fragile, but they do come in interesting colors! My quick scan on amazon suggests they run around 75c a piece, about 3x what these cost. But of course, if you have a bunch just laying around then that's a different thing Wink

**donnainzone5** 2/24/2020, 2:18 pm

Actually, Mark, those hair roller clips usually stay in place pretty well.

I've seen binder clips that come in different colors, although those are usually in small sizes. I don't really care too much about color, just about funtionality.

I've rarely torn frost cloth or the like with them, although you're correct that the can rust if left outdoors. The obvious fix is to bring them inside for the winter.

Here are some other options from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pvc+greenhouse+clips&hvadid=77928017143544&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_3tv59r39jx_e

OhioGardener 4/2/2020, 5:47 pm

After all of these years, this is still one of my favorite garden tools. This Dibble belonged to my father, and was probably originally purchased in the 1940's or 1950's. It is made of steel, whereas all of the ones sold today are either wood or plastic, and it has been used so much the point of it is worn off.

Today, I used it to plant 144 sets of Onion plants in 9 squares. I say "sets" because each of the 144 hole had 2 or 3 onion plants in it, for a total of somewhere around 350 plants.

What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget? - Page 9 Dibble10

**Kelejan** 4/2/2020, 5:56 pm

My favourite gadget is someone who is going to do all the hard that I need done. Please do not tell him otherwise he might change his mind. I intend to break him in gently so that it will take a while before he realises what is going on. Laughing

Dan in Ct 4/5/2020, 9:22 am

My newest favorite gardening related gadget is The Easy Sorter Funnel Tray at Harbor Freight. I use it to sort seeds from the chaff and just used it yesterday on Black-eyed Susan and Echinacea dried dead headed flower heads so I can jump start them now. I am hoping to get away with dry cold stratification, here's hoping and a link to what I now call my seed separating tray, notice the opening in one corner, brilliant.

https://www.harborfreight.com/easy-sorter-funnel-tray-37081.html

ralitaco 4/5/2020, 9:32 am

Dan, that is a great idea. Sure would make it easier to put the seeds back in the packets too.

My Fav gadget is SFG - without it, I don't know if I would garden

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What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget?