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Garden Because You Need the Skillz
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items I've been gardening since I was a child, and I achieved my Master Gardener's certification in 2016. This is one of my “special interests” as a neurodivergent.
Sections
4
Easy-to-Use Gardening Tools
Harvesting and Preservation Tools for Your Yields
National and International Gardening Organizations
Expert Gardening Books
Easy-to-Use Gardening Tools
You can go all out with tools out the wazoo or stay frugal with minimum tools. The only tool I cannot live without is my Hori-Hori knife. It's the best tool ever!
The only tool I use regularly. This knife can cut, weed, dig, and plant. It's like the Instant Pot of the gardening world.
Garden Guru Hori Hori Gardening Knife
If you can only afford one shovel, make sure it's the one that has a square edge. That way you can work around sidewalks (edging), garden beds (including raised beds), and other tight places. For me, it's also easier to get some depth on the first sh...
Spade - Shovels - Digging Tools - The Home Depot
The size of the fork is dependent upon the size of your garden. If you only have potted plants, get a small fork for adding dry fertilizer or to aerate the soil. No need for a super-large garden fork unless you're turning compost.
Garden Forks - Gardening Tools - The Home Depot
You can get super fancy with these cloches to protect your plants from cats and other feral creatures, or you can buy some imaginative cloches at the dollar store. I use a lot of water bottles and milk containers (the plastic kind). I remove the bott...
Garden Cloche
I've used the orange plastic 4-inch pots from Amazon because they're not expensive and I can reuse them by rinsing them out and running them through the dishwasher (not with your food utensils, please) to remove any stray disease or other problem tha...
Nursery Pots 4 Inch
You can try to mix your own garden soil, but is it really worth the time, effort, and mess? I think not. You can find an exciting range of soils at Home Depot or any other garden store. Be sure to shop around, especially since inflation hit gardeners...
Garden Soil - The Home Depot
You can purchase fancy cold frames, or even make them yourself with wooden boxes and old windows. But, wood boxes often need to be stacked during the summer to avoid wood rot, even if they're treated (be careful about that treatment, too, especially ...
Buy Greenhouse Cold Frames
Bamboo canes last a long, long time. If you've ever tried to cut bamboo, then you'll appreciate that these canes are already cut for you. It's difficult to cut! Use these canes as garden stakes or tie them together for fencing. Be sure to get the rig...
Bamboo - Plant Support - Garden Center - The Home Depot
Garden trellises are necessary if you're growing edibles such as cucumbers. This year, I tried out some cattle panels, but that's not a one-person job. You have to zip-tie them to stakes and bend them so the feet are about five feet from each other, ...
Garden Trellises - Viridian Bay
I've learned that fence stakes are an absolute necessity with gardening outside. If you live anywhere near feral cats, squirrels, rabbits, or raccoons, you can expect a garden raid when you least expect it unless you have a fence up. These stakes are...
Fence Stakes
This is the garden fencing I use, and it works well. I can even re-use portions of it from year to year. Permanent fencing might be better, but this works fine to keep critters out of the garden. Also, I learned to get plastic fencing that has a larg...
Plastic - Garden Fencing - Garden Center - The Home Depot
This is my next investment for a garden that sees a lot of rabbit and groundhog action. Rabbits burrow, yes, they do. Think also of moles and voles. None of this may keep squirrels out of your garden, but you'll just have to be aware of them – they l...
Dig Defence, LLC.
Plant netting helps protect your berries and other crops that birds love. It also can help deter squirrels, if you drape it over a tomato support. Squirrels love tomatoes. Ask me how I know. You always need a support for the netting, like hoops or ot...
Plant Netting - The Home Depot
We used a raised bed that held a compost container, and we couldn't grow anything else in that raised bed because we'd get volunteers every year out of that compost. Squash, tomato plants, etc. Freaky. So, keep your compost separate from your garden....
Compost Bins & Tumblers - Gardener's Supply
Tepee trellises are fun. You might not think they're going to work until they do. Again, you can make your own tepee from bamboo stakes or tree branches or even from pipe. Just make sure they're sturdy, because the plants that climb and grow that lar...
Extra Tall Garden Teepee Trellis
Just a side note to show how to use cattle panels for your garden trellises. The panels are inexpensive, they last a long, long time, and they're sturdier than any trellis you might purchase. The cons are that you need to find a way to carry them fro...
Cattle Panel Trellis: How to Build a DIY Vegetable Garden Arch
One of the best animal repellents around. You can purchase specifically for deer or for other animals as well as one for all-around general repellent. The issue is to keep applying it, especially after rains. If you forget, the animals will come cree...
Bonide Repels-All Animal Repellent, 3 lbs
I don't own many of these tools, as I'd rather spend money on plants and seeds. That said, I have friends who are willing to lend, and that helps. Building a gardening tribe where you can share tools, pots, and advice is a vital part of the gardening...
Garden Tools - The Home Depot
The best way to support plants, flowers or crops, to supports is with these soft flexible ties. They provide the plant with support without messing with the plant's integrity. Trust me, I've use zip ties and plastic holders for hardwoods and sturdier...
Plant Ties
I was SO surprised to find that metal zip ties were less expensive than the plastic ones at the store. The metal ones are perfect for holding cattle panels to fence poles. Don't use them on your plants, though, because they'll cut.
Metal Zip Ties
Excellent tool to protect low-growing crops such as spinach or strawberries. Either float them directly on the crop or use hoops, but either way is good. What isn't good is using those metal prongs to attach them to the ground, as they rip the fabric...
Floating Row Cover
Hands down the best fence posts for that plastic netting fence for your garden. My warning to you: check both the size of the netting (height) and the height of the post. Most often, the netting will be taller than the post. That's cool because you c...
Metal Fence Posts - The Home Depot
I have used these sleeves for years now, and I love them so much that my friends often buy a set of sleeves for me for my birthday or Christmas. The problem is that I'm accumulating sleeves, because--even though they might get scratched up--they're s...
Protection Sleeves - Farmers Defense
Harvesting and Preservation Tools for Your Yields
Everything you might need to harvest your floral and food crops is listed above, but there are many other tools to use to pick and preserve. Those tools are listed here.
This is the dehydrator I own, and it is perfectly sufficient to dehydrate anything from watermelon to herbs and more. It doesn't suck electricity, and the trays are easy to clean. Also, you can remove trays to make extra room. Of course, it's noisy, ...
Excalibur Dehydrator
My late husband was the canner, because I didn't trust myself around a pressure cooker. But I'm crazy about my Instant Pot and I might try a few small canning projects this year with that tool. At any rate, I use the Ball jars for just about everythi...
All Canning Products | Roots & Harvest Homesteading Supplies
This is my Instant Pot, and I cannot live without it. I feel safe enough to try some canning this year, so we'll see how that goes. This pot is 6 quarts, and I purchased extra rings, because they really do pick up smells (like from fish), even if you...
Instant Pot® Pro™ Plus 6-quart Smart WiFi Multi-Cooker
I wish I had this tool when I was working on a yard that had a gumball tree. Those things are a pain. But, these are handy tools for gathering nuts and small fruits. There usually are two sizes, and the larger one is good for apples as well as for nu...
Nut Wizard Home
A most excellent tool to harvest root crops such as potatoes, carrots, and radishes. I still would use my Hori-Hori knife, but this tool is so much better for potatoes, because it keeps me from stabbing them with a knife. The fork is gentler.
Gardening Hand Fork
I don't have apple or pear trees, but I used to work on a farm where there were such. I wish I had one of these tools to reach the higher branches, because those fruits usually just fell to the ground and rotted or were carried away by animals. A goo...
Fruit Picker + 3', 12', 18', or 24' Extension Pole - Eversprout
This is another tool I wish I had for those tall apple and pear trees on the farm. Not your ordinary fix-the-house-gutter, these ladders provide height, stability, and safety on unstable ground.
Orchard Ladders – Picking And Choosing - Fruit Growers Supply
These tools are inexpensive, but special because they help you avoid harming a plant when harvesting small fruits and veggies like grape tomatoes and even cucumbers. You want to be able to reach in and cut without harming vines or branches. Keep them...
YBB 12 Pcs Gardening Silicone Thumb Knife
I like baskets, but I like aprons even more. They move with me as I search the vines for ripe fruits or veggies, and I don't have to worry about leaving the harvest outside while I run inside to use the bathroom. This indoor trek also provides me wit...
Roo Gardening Apron with Pockets & Pouch
I didn't realize canning kits weren't that expensive. I'm happy, because I'm about to begin a canning adventure by the end of summer. This kit looks like a good one with five-star reviews.
Canning Supplies Starter Kit, 13 PCS Set
Look! A canning solution that isn't a pressure cooker. Huh. And I love enamelware, so I may have to invest in this one. If anyone purchases this kit, let me know how you like it. It has 4.5 stars with over 4k reviews. Not shabby.
Granite Ware 12-Piece Enamel Canner Kit
I'm not going to suggest a pressure cooker, because I never used one and I sold the one my late husband used when he died about ten years ago. Instead, I'll offer this list of the two best pressure canners. Have at it!
The 2 Best Pressure Canners of 2024, Tested & Reviewed
I'm including this link to illustrate the pros and cons of drying flowers through various methods. The author tells you what you need for each method, and she's very frank about costs and issues. I never thought about using my dehydrator but she says...
How to Dry Flowers - We Tested 5 Different Methods to Find the Best!
Another great article on various ways to preserve your herbs. I'm fond of the dehydrator myself, but I've also frozen them and made butter. The dehydrator works well for me, because dried herbs seem to last longer. I use spent spice jars to store som...
9 Ways to Preserve Your Herbs and Use Them All Year Long
I love the variety of handsome ways that the Etsy crafters are using to dry herbs. I know you're not supposed to say, “I could make that!”, but I can think it. Then again, I have important things to do like babysit my grandsons, so I'd probably buy o...
Herb Drying Basket - Etsy
This isn't the most handsome way to dry herbs or flowers, but I've been wanting one since I first saw it. Seems so easy, and for sure it's environmentally better since it doesn't use any electricity. We'll see…they seem to be very popular at the mome...
Coopache 6 Layer Herb Drying Rack Mesh
I haven't tried freeze-drying my yields yet. I'm sorely tempted, though. This is the brand I would go for, as it's highly rated and a reputable company. What a way to store a large harvest, huh? No food waste!
Harvest Right Freeze Dryers - Buy a home freeze dryer
Need just a bit more room for your frozen yields? Try this chest freezer out. I have a larger one (too big for me alone), and I plan to get this one to store my herbs and other frozen goodies. A tip I learned from a woman at our extension office: Eve...
Magic Chef 3.5 cu. ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer in White ...
National and International Gardening Organizations
Here are some of the major U.S. national and international organizations that may interest you as a gardener. TONS of education, resources, and help here.
The National Gardening Association (NGA) supports gardening by empowering home gardeners to flourish, enhancing their health, knowledge, environmental consciousness, and passion. Through various initiatives, NGA assists gardeners in making home and c...
The National Gardening Association
To address today’s challenges, the American Horticultural Society pledges to be attentive listeners, effective collaborators, and responsible stewards of the environment for the greater good. They updated their mission statement, vision, values, and ...
Home Page - American Horticultural Society
The Garden Club of America (GCA) is a distinguished and influential organization that has had a lasting impact on horticulture, conservation, and the appreciation of America’s natural beauty. Established in 1913, the GCA consists of nearly 200 indivi...
The Garden Club of America
The National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) is a leading organization committed to promoting gardening, floral design, conservation, and community beautification. Founded in 1929, NGC unites garden clubs and gardening enthusiasts throughout the United Stat...
Homepage | National Garden Clubs, Inc.
The Herb Society of America, Inc. promotes the environmentally sensitive preservation, cultivation, 'knowledge, use, and delight' of herbs through education, research, member interactions, and partnerships with the community (they also have an Etsy s...
Herb Society of America
The American Rose Society was a founding member of the World Federation of Rose Societies, which provides additional benefits to all ARS members. The American Rose Society provides educational content through a bi monthly magazine, American Rose, in ...
Home - American Rose Society
NANPS is a volunteer-operated, registered charitable organization dedicated to the protection, preservation, cultivation and promotion of flora indigenous to North America in both urban and wild areas. Their mission is to highlight the importance of ...
Home
“The mission of the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society has remained constant even if the wording has had some minor changes. As it currently stands this is who we are and what we do: ‘a nonprofit organization of multi-national memb...
Homepage - International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society
The International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) exists to provide a forum for the mutual exchange of information and benefit of similar minded, independent garden retailers on a worldwide basis. IGCA continues to grow, attracting individual garden...
Home Page
The Market Gardener Institute is your kind of place if you're so passionate about gardening that you want to start an organic farm, then this is the organization that could help you succeed. I learned enough to know that this is not my avenue (I have...
Home
I studied to be a Master Gardener at my local county extension office. You probably can, too. Use this website to learn more about organizations based upon this membership type across the U.S.
Extension Master Gardener
The ISHS is the world's leading independent organization of horticulturists acting as a globally recognized and sought-after platform for research, science-based information exchange and collaboration in support of sustainable innovation in horticult...
ISHS | International Society for Horticultural Science
Expert Gardening Books
Use these popular books to learn more about various gardening techniques and skills.
I love container gardens for both food and flowers. This author is one of my favorites, because she's very thorough about how to create success with container gardens by offering practical advice on growing a variety of plants, flowers, herbs, shrubs...
Christine Walkden's Container Gardening
If you don't have good soil (correct for your particular planting), then your time is wasted. This book is an accessible guide to understanding soil fertility and the rhizosphere, essential for maintaining healthy plants. Your county extension office...
"Soil Science for Gardeners" by Robert Pavlis
This book provides step-by-step guidance on planning, growing, and preserving food crops, making it perfect for families looking to become more self-reliant. You also can find various sources online to learn how to preserve your crops, etc., but this...
The Family Garden Plan: Grow a Year's Worth of Sustainable and Healthy Food
I have a confession – I don't like wasting time researching for companion plants. So, I rely on this book and on the experience provided by some of my gardener friends. Smart worker – let someone else figure it out!
Great Garden Companions
This book is filled with practical advice and time-tested techniques for organic gardening. Plus, the book is jam-pack filled with floral eye-candy!
The Complete Gardener
This book fascinates me. I don't know that I'll ever have the chance to use polytunnels for growing, but what an amazing result. Not only does the author provide comprehensive information on polytunnel gardening, but this book also offers month-by-mo...
The Polytunnel Book: Year-Round Produce
More and better right here. Huw shares his successful vegetable growing techniques, making this book a valuable resource for both novice and experienced gardeners.
The Vegetable Grower's Handbook
Don't think I didn't buy this book. hahaha
Gardening Basics For Dummies
If you ever want to start or have started a community garden, this book is for you. An allotment garden or community garden plot is a piece of land allocated or rented to an individual to allow them to grow food and flowers for themselves and their f...
Allotment Month by Month: Alan Buckingham