Garden Tools & Tips

Do You Really Know Why You Use Compost?

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Compost Bin

You’ve probably  heard that making your own garden compost in a home compost bin saves you money because that’s one less thing you need to go out and buy at the local garden center.  But, did you ever wonder exactly why you use compost in the first place?  Initially, that may sound like a dumb question, but it’s really not.  Gardeners use compost because it’s good for growing plants, but there’s more to it than just that.  Here are just a couple of reasons why you’re using compost in your garden:

Compost is good for soil.  As any gardener will tell you, not all soil is good soil.  Meaning, not all soil is ideal for growing and maintaining a hardy garden.  Because compost is rich in nutrients and helpful bacteria and fungi, it can improve the quality of existing soil and create a more inviting home for growing plants.

Compost prevents pests and diseases.  Compost “has also been shown to suppress plant diseases and pests, reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers, and promote higher yields of agricultural crops,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Maybe it’s enough to know that compost is good for growing plants, but understanding why can help gardeners appreciate compost all the more.

The ThermoQuick® Compost Bins   Earthmaker Aerobic Composter

Garden Tools & Tips, Storage Solutions

The Proper Workspace Starts a Garden Right

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Ready for Gardening

January is National Mail Order Gardening Month, and it’s the perfect time to peruse those fabulous gardening catalogs to find favorite plant varieties as well as new and interesting possibilities.  While you’re waiting for your seed order to arrive, gather the necessary potting supplies: soil, compost, seed pots, trays, and whatever else you like to use to prepare for the upcoming season of seedlings.

Where do you do your seed planting?  Do you have a designated space with room enough for working and storing yourCedar Potting Bench supplies?  The most efficient way to complete these early gardening tasks is to have a space dedicated to this work.  A potting bench offers the perfect location because it comes equipped with hooks for hanging tools, shelves for keeping pots and soil close at hand, and ample space for working.

Upping your gardening game this year means having the right tools and gear to make your gardening work easier and more efficient.  Treat yourself to a new potting bench and get the season off to a smart start.

Backyard Fun, Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Portable Fun

Thinking Outside the Picnic Basket

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Picnic Baskets and Picnic Totes

When you think of the word “picnic,” do you automatically associate it with warm and sunny outdoor excursions to the park or the beach?  If we open our minds a bit, though, we can quite easily visualize picnics happening anywhere, at any time of year.  

Picnics don’t have to take place out of doors.  A picnic meal can be set up on the living room floor, at the office, or in the treehouse out back.  All it takes is a little imagination and a bit of whimsy.  What really makes a picnic a picnic is a thoughtfully packed snack or meal, a blanket for sitting on, and good company.  It doesn’t require sun, warmth, or outdoors if those three ingredients are not available. 

Consider using a Picnic Basket or Tote that includes cloth napkins and washable, shatter-proof dishes and utensils.  Not only do these picnic sets give a picnic style, they make the experience environmentally friendly, too.  Here are a few tips to ensure a perfect picnic:

  • Packing a salad?  Take your dressing along in a separate container and add it to your salad just before eating.  Your lettuce and veggies will stay crisp and delicious.
  • Avoid bringing foods that need to be reheated if you won’t have access to a microwave or other cooking device.
  • Hard cheeses, fruits, hummus, crusty bread, and chopped veggies like broccoli, carrots, and cucumbers make excellent picnic fare.  They’re healthy and don’t require refrigeration if they’ll be consumed that day.

 

Garden Tools & Tips, Storage Solutions

Do You Have a New Year’s Gardening Resolution?

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Cedar Storage Sheds and Garden Sheds

If you’re an avid gardener, I’m willing to bet that you have at least one item on your New Year’s resolutions list related to your gardening plans for the upcoming season.  Whether it’s on your list of resolutions or not, most gardeners I know have one particular item toward the top of their gardening to-do list each year.  Better organization.

Keeping garden tools, supplies, seeds, soils, and other gear conveniently located and easy to access is a tall order when existing storage spaces are already brimming with household tools, sports gear, and other non-garden related items.  Creating one special area dedicated to gardening supplies can be a challenge, so one solution is to add more storage.  

Cedar storage sheds make a useful addition in any backyard.  Unlike standard plastic, resin, or metal sheds, cedar storage sheds are beautiful and natural and never need to be hidden in a remote corner of a yard to avoid being an eye-sore.  Cedar sheds maintain their good looks for years, and they offer an aromatic place to store all of your gardening gear and supplies.

With so many sizes and configurations available, every gardener — from the novice to the expert — can find a cedar storage shed that meets every gardening storage need.