JESSICA'S FAVORITE THINGS FOR GARDENERS

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Sometimes, low-tech is the best tech. After seeing a resurgence of this old-school, long-handled weeding tool, which was invented in 1913, I bought one to see what the fuss was about. I'm  not sure who Grampa was, but his ingenuity was brilliant! Using your foot, plunge the tool directly into whatever weed you'd like to remove, and its claws will clamp around its roots. Tilt the tool and lift it out of the ground, and voila! Weed removed -- roots and all. Just like hand-pulling, it works best on softer soil or after rainfall (or a good watering). And the best part is no exertion or bending required (except to collect your pulled weeds). This is my absolute favorite tool of the year!

By now, you've guessed that I gravitate toward time- and back-savers. This 2022 Cultivate horticulture show Retailers’ Choice Award winner is a battery-operated, hand-held shovel and auger kit that includes a case, 12-volt battery and charger. The heavy-duty steel and aluminum  digging tool directs soil away from the user and makes easy work of  planting flowers, bulbs and shrubs (it can also be used to install  posts or dig a trench). I use mine every time I plant, and the only time it failed me was in rocky soil (which I see as understandable.)

If you've ever tried to repot a plant, you know it can get messy. But these little wonders have side walls that snap together (so simple, yet so brilliant) so you can pot, repot, dump pots -- without leaving a trace of soil on your table or potting bench. You can even use them indoors. Just carry them over to your garden bed when you're done and pour out mess. Then fold them flat for storage until  next time. The set includes two mats: One each in 39 inches and 26 inches square.

This sharp, multipurpose, stainless steel gardening knife is smooth and sharp on one side, serrated on the other. Use it to remove weeds, cut roots and dig into the soil. The 6-inch blade is marked in inches for measuring depth when planting bulbs. and a twine-cutting notch comes in super handy, too. The bright orange, one-piece molded plastic handle is comfortable and won't get lost in the compost pile. I prefer (and use) this hori hori  over all others because, although plastic isn't sustainable, the handle won't splinter or rot, and it flares out to protect your hand from accidentally slipping onto the blade, an important safety feature many other brands don't have. Includes a leather sheath.

I've had my Swiss-made, F6 model pruners for more than 15 years, and they're still going strong. Because all the critical parts (blades, handle grips and springs) are replaceable, I consider these lifetime investments. A range of models offers a variety of sizes, left-handed and right-handed options, and ergonomic rotating handles. They have super-sharp blades that make clean cuts that promote fast healing, and their nonslip, comfortable handles are red, so they won't get lost in a pile of clippings.

After a lifetime of watering my plants the old-school way -- with a handheld hose -- I broke down and ordered this raised-bed soaker system, which I can automate with a timer or turn on and off at the spigot. It's one of the simplest and best improvements I've made.  And it's pretty sturdy: I left mine out over winter (I don't recommend this -- the instructions advise against it) and it's none the worse for wear.

I often forget what I planted -- or which varieties, cultivars or hybrids I have -- and needed a better way to keep plant tags organized than the giant ziploc bag I'd been using. Now I punch holes in them, separate by year or plant type and put them on these 2- and 3-inch binder rings. It feels so good to be organized!

This quarter-inch, single-hole puncher is perfect for cutting holes in plant tags before organizing them on binder rings.

This self-watering grow system uses low-wattage LED lighting and high-tech soil capsules to grow flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables. Grow edibles indoors year-round, or use the optional seedless "Grow Anything" capsules to start your own seeds, like I do, before transplanting outdoors. My model is the Smart Garden 9. Use the link below and promo code JESSICA will automatically be applied for a 10% discount.

Gone are the days of balancing a wheelbarrow on one wheel only to have it get stuck in the grass and tip over. Several models are available, including my GCG4, which is as steady as they come. It has a comfortable handle, a strong bed, and 10" pneumatic tires that make it super easy to steer and change direction - even when going backward. Its quick-release dumping system allows for easy unloading of mulch, soil or whatever you're lugging, and it has a four-cubic-foot, 600-pound capacity.

These are truly the highest-quality wind chimes I've ever owned (I have two). Created by a Grammy-award-winning musician and made in upstate New York, each instrument is musically tuned to replicate specific tunes. One, for instance, is reminiscent of Amazing Grace; another plays the harmonized pitches of Pachelbel's Canon. You haven't likely heard anything like it. They're good for the soul.

This Mobile Tool Storage Caddy keeps everything I need handy and in one place and can be easily rolled around the garden. The included fabric liner holds and organizes hand tools around a 5-gallon bucket (which itself stores long-handled tools), and there's an additional bin I like to use for harvests or pulled weeds. 

I received my first EarthBOX as a gift circa 2007 and bought a second a year later; I've been using them ever since, usually to grow extra tomatoes, but you can grow almost anything in them. They're self-watering (from the bottom, which helps prevent disease), self-feeding and can be easily wheeled around to chase the sun if your garden gets shady during the day.

I've been wearing my German-made, red Birki clogs since 2007, and I suspect I'll wear them for the rest of my life. The proprietary Birkenstock cork footbed, lined with a moisture-wicking fabric, is replaceable, though I haven't had to swap mine out yet. And I can rinse them off with a garden hose when they get muddy before placing them by the back door until next time. 

When you need a closed work shoe, you can't go wrong with the Outscape from Muck. Made of  flexible neoprene with a comfortable memory-foam footbed and breathable mesh lining, they're 100% waterproof. Available in several color choices (mine are olive, as shown) in low and high-top models. 

When I need more protection, I wear Muck's Arctic Sport II ankle-high boots (mine are gray and trooper blue).

Arguably the best bargain in the gardening world, the Atlas NT370s are my go-to gloves. They fit like a second skin, enabling me to feel what I'm touching, but they are sturdy enough to protect from scratches without tearing or puncturing. The nitrile coating gives them a good grip, keeps my hands clean and dry, and protects against prickles (but don't use them when handling roses; they aren't thick enough to resist thorns). They even come in handy in the kitchen for opening jars. And they're machine-washable. A pack of 6 is your best deal.

 Fish fertilizer to the rescue! Made from North Atlantic fish caught in Gloucester, Massachusetts, this cold-produced organic fish hydrolysate  helps establish roots, boosts plant vigor and production and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the soil.  It's available in several formulas, including Tomato & Veg and Rose & Flowering. I use the Tomato & Veg formula throughout my garden, as it's also suitable trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. The product is concentrated, so the large, gallon-sized jug makes 256 gallons, which lasts years in my garden. Smaller bottles are also available.  

This is one of my TOP 3 "CAN'T GARDEN WITHOUT" AMENDMENTS.

These donut-shaped briquettes contain the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), which makes them a safe and effective way to kill  mosquito larvae, as well as black flies and fungus  gnats. The floating rings offer 30 days of protection when added to ponds, birdbaths, rainbarrels and wherever else rainwater accumulates outdoors, and  “will not harm people, pets and other animals, aquatic life, or other  insects, including honeybees,” according to the CDC. 

 Do I know exactly what's in it? No (aside from vitamin B-1 and a mention of kelp on the label, the rest is proprietary). But this "Original Vitamin Solution," developed to help WWII victory gardens thrive, works in my garden.  A little goes a long way, so the tiny 4-ounce bottle provides 96 doses. Use it to help prevent transplant shock or give plants a general boost.

This is one of my TOP 3 "CAN'T GARDEN WITHOUT" AMENDMENTS.

Guys! These things really work! I was skeptical at first, but I used mine all summer long and it literally sucked out all my mosquito bites. Just place the open end over a bite as soon as possible and pump the top to create suction. It removes insect saliva or venom  out of skin and stops the body’s immune response to prevent those itchy,  painful welts. The lightweight, easy-to-use gadget operates solely on  suction power -- no batteries, no chemicals. Works on mosquito, bee, wasp, biting  fly, gnat, chigger, sea lice and other bites.  

From the same folks that brought us the Bug Bite Thing (see above) comes this innovative tick remover tool for people and pets. I got one over the summer but didn't have occasion to use it, but if it's anything like their suction tool, it's a winner! The two-sided design works on embedded ticks of all sizes: There are fine-tipped tweezers for removing small ticks on one end and a slotted scoop for removing larger ticks on the other. Meets CDC guidelines. 

Instead of calling in an (expensive, toxin-spewing) exterminator, there’s an alternative tick control that’s safe for pollinators, wildlife, pets and people. The secret is to protect mice, which are the early-season food source for ticks before they move on to deer, dogs and us. The tubes are filled with pesticide-soaked cotton, which mice will grab for their nests. In the process, they'll get treated, much like a dog does with flea and tick meds. When the baby tick population is killed, there will be fewer (or no) adults in the yard for the rest of the season. But there are only two windows per year when this method is effective — in spring and mid-summer, when tick nymphs are active.

I've had success growing potatoes in these sturdy fabric pots with innovative "windows" on their sides. The velcro is tight, so there's no worry about it popping open, but when I want to check on my potatoes, I don't have to dig up a mound and risk stressing the plant. I just roll up the "window" and poke around. I can pull one or two through the window or dump out the soil when the whole batch is ready. The fabric allows air to circulate around roots, water to drain, and plants from becoming pot-bound. 

They can also be used for other root crops, like beets, onions, carrots, even peanuts.

This lightweight brick is made of coco coir that turns into a potting mix when water is added. I can store several in a small space, which ensures I always have some on hand. And there's no lugging heavy bags home from the nursery (or dirtying my car or clothes in the process).

My herb scissors have saved me hours over the years mincing chives alone! Just one slice with these multi-bladed snips does the work of five. And an herb stripper makes easy work of removing rosemary, parsley and other herbs from their stems. This two-piece set includes both, plus a protective sheath and cleaning tool for the snips.

 A little goes a long way: Just dust plant roots with the living powder before planting, and the beneficial fungus gets right to work stimulating roots to grow. My treated plants settle in faster, grow more quickly and fruit and flower better. 

This is one of my TOP 3 "CAN'T GARDEN WITHOUT" AMENDMENTS.

Arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and weak hands are no match for the FinaMill. The stylish, AA-battery-operated spice grinder grinds everything from peppercorns to dehydrated onions at the (very light) touch of a button — no pressure or twisting required. Set the mill on the counter or table and press gently to release the retractable, refillable pod and insert another with the same simple motion. Available in midnight, soft cream, sangria and stone. 

This meat thermometer connects to the Meater app via Bluetooth to monitor roasts in the oven,  meats on the grill, in a smoker, pan, air fryer and even on a rotisserie. Just insert the Meater, set the app and watch your iOS or Android devices for notifications alerting of remaining cook times, current internal temperatures and when your food is perfectly cooked.

I bought this model this year to replace an earlier version that stopped working recently. It's sleeker, with a smaller footprint than the original, and makes easy work of creating air-tight sealed bags and pouches of food and backyard produce I store in the freezer. 

A hot water bath may be sufficient for many foods, but if you're canning those with lower acidity, you'll need a pressure canner, like this well-priced, good-quality, 22-quart unit from T-fal, to ensure safety.

OK, I admit this is a splurge, but I use it several times a day, and it's so fast, easy, reliable -- and beautiful in my kitchen!

If you drink tea, brew homegrown herbs or love pour-over coffee as I do, you can't do better than the Fellows Stagg kettle. It allows you to set the perfect temperature (up to 212 degrees) and achieves that temperature in mere minutes. With a gooseneck spout for pour-over perfection (bloom your coffee!), an LED temperature display and a stopwatch built in, it's truly one of my favorite things!

I have a 15-year-old, old-fashioned, hand-crank Fagor Food Mill that comes out of storage about three times a year: Tomato season, apple season and mashed potato season (Thanksgiving, etc.) The brand is no longer available, but the simplicity of the device means newer models are likely just as good or better. A few things to look for: Stainless steel construction, easy assembly and disassembly for cleaning and storing, a variety of disks to process different textures and a comfy handle. This OXO Good Grips model checks all the boxes.

There are other, way more expensive sous vide machines on the market, but the Anova Nano serves me well. I use it to cook perfectly tender steak and reheat meats without drying them out. I've even experimented with eggs and desserts. It connects to my smartphone, too, and the free app provides recipes and instructions that demystify the process. And it's so small it stores easily in a kitchen drawer. Use it with the FoodSaver Vacuum (above) for leak-proof cooking.

I first learned of this Eastern European seasoning while watching a Food Network TV show in 2016, and have been using it ever since. It's like a less-salty bouillon that can be used to ramp up soups, stews, meat, seafood, and of course, homegrown veggie dishes! There are versions with and without MSG (both are excellent), and I think your foodie friends would love to find either in their stockings!

This 5-gallon grow kit includes everything you need for a healthy indoor harvest -- just add water, seeds and light. And the included Superb Soil blend contains all the nutrients needed for the entire grow, so there's no fussing with fertilizers. You'll get a 5-gallon fabric pot, saucer, seed germination kit, 2 packs of Superb Soil, beneficial bacteria, diatomaceous earth, aeration top soil mix, coco bricks, rooting booster, a smartphone camera magnifying lens to help time your harvest, natural leaf shine, a watering can/spray bottle and trimming scissors -- all in a pretty gift box.  Additional grow bags and soil packs can be purchased separately.

This corded trimmer from Cloudious9 has residue-resistant blades (both straight and curved) and a responsive trigger that saves your hands from the repetitive stress  that accompanies the delicate job of bud trimming.  (I see a few negative reviews on there that complain about the cord not being long enough to reach bushes in the garden and the blades not cutting paper properly for crafts, but clearly those folks don't get the intended use of this trimmer).

Use the seedless Grow Anything capsules with your own seeds to give plants their best indoor start. Self-watering from the bottom eliminates mildew and damping off diseases, and the super-nutritious pod material boots seedlings to their highest potential before transplanting into grow bags. I have the Click & Grow 9 but other sizes, like the 3 model, above, are also available.  Use the link below and promo code JESSICA will automatically be applied for a 10% discount.

This portable, lightweight storage container has a silicon seal and 3-layer carbon filter to trap in odors, a humidity pack slot to control moisture and a non-shift base groove design with a secure latch for stability. It's a great storage solution for in the home or on the go. Plus, it's cute.

I have three of the older model-version of this full-spectrum grow light, which I suspend from my ceiling with a hook and the included daisy chain, adjusting its height as the plants beneath grow. Two fans run automatically whenever the lights are on, and there are two brightness levels to accommodate both veg and flower plant stages.  A bonus thermometer/humidity monitor is included. 

After the harvest, it's vital that you dry your flowers at 50% humidity. Higher levels of moisture in the air may lead to mold, mildew or rot, which means your whole grow would go up in smoke--and not in a good way. This small investment will help protect your much larger one. It's the same model I have.

So, you've got all your supplies, but where are you going to find high quality, reliable seeds that will grow well? First, a primer: Cannabis seeds can yield male or female plants, but only females produce harvestable buds. Conventional plants require very specific light exposure, which needs to change as plants enter different phases of maturity.  I recommend getting around all that by purchasing only feminized autoflower seeds: All female, no light adjustments needed. Easy peasy! My pick for you is this money-saving 3-strain Autoflower Mix pack, which is ideal for indoor grows. You get 5 seeds each of Amnesia Haze, Blueberry and Northern Lights.

*Check local laws prior to purchasing seeds.

There's no better way to keep  trimmed and dried flower buds fresh than vacuum sealing, and the FoodSaver makes the process quick and easy.

There's nothing more classic than a Zippo lighter, and now they come in all sorts of groovy designs, like this safari-patterned brass model. 

Available in Wintergreen or Lavender scents, these candles burn cleanly, removing unwanted smoke odors naturally using plant extracts. Made with ingredients like beeswax, soy wax and plant oils (and without paraffin wax, phthalates, sulfates or parabins).

This 3rd edition of the 2009 classic by Irish botanist and horticulturist Greg Green is the ultimate reference for both new and experienced growers.