To find out if you could benefit from a garden shed, ask yourself: Do my growing number of garden tools need a new home? There’s your answer. Having clean tools, which all have their place, will elevate these feelings of contentment, too.

Let’s get practical for a moment. Garden tools take up space.

Sometimes, they take up a lot of space; other times, not so much. Obviously, it depends on how involved you are in gardening. Or how much you plan to be.

When you get to choose a new garden shed, it’s wise to know what sort of tools you’ll be storing.

So, what goes in a gardening shed?

Let’s make a quick list. Go ahead and tick them off in your mind as you scroll through:

• shovels
• spades
• rakes
• hand tools
• pruners
• tomato cages
• mowers and blowers
• trash bags
• work gloves
• bird feed and feeders
• pots and containers
• old potting soil
• fertilizer
• twine and ties
• hoses
• watering cans
• brushes
• outdoor furniture you currently aren’t using

How many tools came to mind as you read the list?

If you are in the market for a new garden shed, my advice would be to first take an inventory of all your garden tools as you write them down on a sheet of paper.

You wouldn’t like to build a shed, only to find out that there isn’t sufficient space for your lawnmower – that is unless you are ready to get rid of your lawn altogether. That’s a more extreme scenario. For the moment, let’s stick to the task at hand – choosing the best garden shed for you and your garden tools.

How Big Should a Garden Shed Be?

Adding a garden shed to your property could very well be a long-term investment. But it doesn’t have to be. When you plan it right, you can make the garden shed a permanent feature on your property, or you can choose something lighter weight that will fulfill the job for only a couple of years.

The smallest garden sheds might only set your wallet back a few hundred dollars, whereas bigger sheds with lots of luxurious shelving could run into the thousands.

Trying to determine the price always brings us back to size and materials.

How much space do you need for your garden tools?

As mentioned above, it’s useful to know how much space your garden tools take up (including how many more you plan to purchase) before committing to a plan.

• Garden sheds for small yards range from 4′ x 2′, which is perfect for a selection of hand tools all the way up to 8′ x 4′. The former is more like a tool closet, and the latter looks more like a traditional shed with a door that allows a lawnmower to be pushed in and out.
• Garden sheds for medium yards generally start at 6′ x 6′ and go up to 8′ x 8′ in size. In the larger size, they almost start to act as she sheds or small artist studios. Choose the right materials, and they can go either way.
• For large yards, most prefabricated sheds go all the way up to 12′ x 12′. Now we’re talking about a lot of space to fill, as well as thousands of dollars to build it or set it up.

But in the case of garden sheds, bigger is not necessarily better. It’s your organizational skills, shelves and hooks that will make all the difference in the world.

If you still aren’t sure what size will suit your needs, grab a tape measure and head outside to the spot where you imagine your garden shed residing. It’s a great way to visualize it if you are having difficulty knowing how much space your shed will take up.

Should You Build Your Own Garden Shed or Buy a Shed?

The choice to build your own garden shed or opt for one ready to put together is an easy one.

If you have the tools at hand and the experience working with them, then the DIY route is probably the best option for you. Building your own garden shed allows you more control over choosing materials; it also gives you creative freedom.

However, if the building of a garden shed would entail buying lots of tools to complete the project, then an almost-ready-made one is probably a better option. While buying a shed often costs more money, it also saves you time. If you’re someone who is ready to get started right away, go ahead and splurge – there are many prefab garden sheds out there to choose from. Will list a few sites to check out in just a minute.

Homemade Garden Shed Plans

First things first, you need to decide where that new garden shed of yours is going and how much space you can commit to an outbuilding. Then, dive deeper and find out what kind of foundation it needs and how permanent you want the structure to be.

At the same time, you’ll also need to check local building codes for setbacks. After all, you wouldn’t want to build it, only to move it later. Find more on permits later in this article.

It isn’t necessary to know exactly how it should look at first, with a gable roof or a smaller shed with a lean-to style roof. But, you should look around for inspiration. Pinterest is a great place to start your search.

Sheds can range from fairytale-like all the way to plain and pragmatic. All you have to do is build something that is pleasing to you.

One thing a garden shed should do, however, is last for a long time.

Here are some ideas to help you get started with choosing the best garden shed:

• DIY Cedar Garden Shed – No Kit & Built in a Weekend! – Stacy’s Savings
• Garden Shed Plans – Build Blueprint
• How to Build a Shed on the Cheap – Family Handyman
• DIY Shed Design Ideas – How To Build A Garden Shed from Scratch – Home Edit
• How to Build Your Own Shed from Scratch w/ Plans – Wood Create

Prefab Garden Sheds

If you have more money than time and tools, it’s wise to take a look at what’s already out there on the market, so you can organize and get your garden growing faster.

We’ve already mentioned that it’s going to cost you more, so don’t be surprised at a price tag of thousands, plus shipping costs. However, prefab garden sheds come with materials that are precut and ready to put together with simple tools, which most homesteaders already have. Assembly comes in the form of your own manual labor, yet there is a community or family building to that aspect, too.

Whether you are building from scratch or buying a garden shed online, watch out for these 7 things:

• Floor space – Will there be enough room for shelves as well as fitting in other larger equipment? If you are good at visualizing, this won’t be a problem, but if you need more guidance, try to step into a ready-made shed in person.
• Height – Will you be able to fully stand up in the shed, or will you be bending your neck? The latter may not be a problem if it’s more of a garden tool closet, but if you need to spend more time in there, imagine how difficult it is to be productive in a tent.
• Entryway – If the shed doors are too narrow, it’s going to be a challenge to get a lawnmower in. Depending on the location of the shed, double doors and/or a ramp may be necessary for riding mowers.
• A source of light – Is natural light important? If so, then a window can provide some daytime light. It does reduce some storage space, yet it makes finding things in the shed a lot easier.
• Shed foundation – Naturally, you can’t just plop the garden shed on top of the soil; there’s more to it than that. The base of your shed can be gravel, concrete or masonry blocks.
• Flooring – Choosing flooring for your shed sounds like it could be easy, but there’s really a lot to consider. Read this in-depth article to find out more about shed flooring options.
• Insulation – Will this garden shed of yours need to be heated in winter months, or are you okay with letting in the cold?

If you need a garden shed but don’t have the skills to build it or put it together, another option between the two would be to have a local woodworker/carpenter/friend build it, or put it together, for you.

Prefab garden shed designs to consider:

Besides the sampling below, you can also find garden shed kits on Amazon and at stores like Lowe’s and Costco.

• Garden Sheds from Summerwood Products
• Storage Shed Kits from Yard Craft
• Cedar Shed Kits by Cedar Shed
• Garden Sheds from Polhus (UK)

After looking at many of these garden sheds for sale, all I can say is that I have my eye on at least 3 of them. Now, if only I needed a shed!

At the moment, our barn is large enough for our few gardening tools, a wheelbarrow, firewood and cross-cut saws.

What Materials Make the Best Garden Shed?

The basic materials that sheds are made out of are wood, metal or some sort of composite/plastic.

Which one appeals to you at first hearing? That’s most likely the shed material that’s going to work out the best for you.

These three options will give you a good range of budget, indoor organizational space and outdoor aesthetics.

Let’s start by looking at the benefits of metal sheds.

Metal sheds are generally considered durable where good quality is concerned. Unless you have the tools for cutting metal, however, these are going to be prefab jobs.

Still, they are often cheaper than wood, they won’t rot, they’re often rust- and corrosion-resistant, and they’ll pretty much stand out in the elements of nature for several years without intervention. No repainting, not even a drop of pest control. If you are in the habit of storing valuable tools, you’ll definitely want to consider planting a metal garden shed on a good foundation in your backyard.

On average, a metal shed will last well over 10 years. You can make that up to 25 years with little maintenance and a little bit of luck.

There must be some cons to installing a metal shed, right?

For starters, most people find metal sheds less attractive in the landscape. Perfunctory as they are, that’s probably true.

Because of the material at hand – metal, most people won’t have the skills or the tools to customize shelving, racks, etc., let alone to put it up without hiring someone skilled in the trade. Bits may need welding; you might even need to bring in an angle grinder, plus those sharp edges!

I know someone who has a knack for cutting himself on every sharp edge he finds. A metal shed isn’t for everybody. But it may be for you. Consider them budget-friendly and low-maintenance, plus they come in a range of sizes for every backyard and farm.

The Good and Not-Too-Bad of Wood Sheds

Wood sheds are by far the best-looking sheds out there, but you don’t have to take my word for it; just look around.

Beyond appearance, wood sheds are the easiest of the three types of sheds to assemble, even for DIY beginners. Wood, being a natural insulator, will make them cooler in summer and warmer in winter, as opposed to a metal shed, which heats up in summer and freezes in winter. A side bonus is, that when you make a custom-built shed, you get to choose the thickness of the wood.

The cheapest way to build a wood shed is with overlap cladding, wherein the boards are attached to a timber framework. A word of caution: wood will often warp, leaving air gaps in between the boards. It’s a free source of airflow, but it also allows insects and rodents passages to play in.

A sturdier version of a wooden shed will use shiplap cladding. These shiplap panels overlap (instead of interlock) for a more defined finish, with protection from the elements.

Finally, the strongest and longest-lasting wooden sheds use tongue and groove interlocking timber boards. This, by sheer design, will make the walls tough and hard to break into. At the same time, the tightness protects your tools from rain, draughts and moisture.

If you want to find out more about cladding options, this article will clad you with everything you need to know.

Naturally, the wood that you choose will depend greatly on your budget, but what you really need to know about wood sheds, is that they are easily customizable both inside and out. Not only is it easy to add shelving, but you can knock a nail in the wall and have a tool holder ready with a few knocks of a hammer.

On the outside, they can be stained or painted any color of your liking. You can even make them match your home.

The not-so-good part about wood sheds?

Wooden sheds, just like metal ones, can function for several years.

The barn we currently use as a wood-cutting shed is several decades old. Sure, the wood is wearing down as it was once used as a stable for horses, cows and pigs, but it’s big, very airy and gives us a lot of space to store wood in winter.

If you can’t imagine the damage that wood can endure, here’s a picture to enlighten you:

That’s one of the downfalls of wood. Now, you could go with pressure-treated lumber, yet if you are trying to avoid chemicals and toxic preservatives, other options will suit your environmental ethics better.

Another thing you may have trouble with, depending on your location, is insect infestation.

As far as assembly time goes, I can only say that many hands make light work. Take some inspiration from the Amish communities and get a bunch of hardworking people together, and time won’t even be an issue.

Oh, then there’s the price. Expect to pay much more for a wood garden shed. In the end, it’ll be worth it.

Plastic sheds for ease of moving and convenience.

If you are renting or unsure of your long-term plans, plastic garden sheds are a viable option for storing your tools outside of the garage.

Plastic garden sheds are often less expensive than metal sheds, and far more mobile in the off-chance that you need to move and want to take your shed with you.

They get bonus points because they are easy to clean; simply hose them down when necessary. At the same time, rot and moisture are never a problem. Plus, they tend to be easy to assemble.

Downfalls to plastic sheds.

The biggest downfall of plastic sheds is that while they are sturdy to some extent, they aren’t the best option for areas with hurricane and tornado-induced high winds. It also goes, hopefully without saying, that they would be easier to break into.

If guarding your tools is absolutely necessary, something stronger would be my best bet.

Your plastic shed may also falter in cold temperatures and really hot ones. So they really are location-specific.

Does Your Garden Shed Need Electricity or Running Water?

In most instances, the answer will be no. Smaller sheds require nothing of the such.

When you get into larger-sized sheds, some source of light may be necessary. There could be times when you need to start your gardening chores early, let’s say, watering your vegetables, or working later into the evening pulling weeds. Of course, you could use a flashlight; we’ve been known to do that a time or two; it all depends on convenience.

And water? Well, if your garden shed is in close proximity to your garden, then you may want to have a water line installed, for watering the vegetable patch or irrigating a nearby greenhouse.

Be sure to think about electricity and plumbing {before} purchasing the materials or kit for a garden shed. It will save you money, time and hassle later on.

Does it Take a Permit to Build a Garden Shed?

This is something you’ll need to take into your own hands with your local permit or zoning department. That being said, if it’s the second shed on your property, you want to install electricity or running water, or you simply need a larger space to store your garden tools, be sure to find out what building or zoning permits you need before spending a dime.

Every state has different building laws and codes. Always contact your local county or city zoning department before breaking ground.

A couple more items to consider as you finish up your last gardening chores of the evening – do you need locks on your shed’s doors and windows? Can you add your new outbuilding to your home insurance policy? Better be prepared, for gardening season will soon be upon us, and you have every right to protect your investment.

Even if it takes a lot of tools to cultivate your gardening dreams, I know you wouldn’t have it any other way. Go, now, and confidently choose the best garden shed that’s right for you.

The post How to Choose the Best Garden Shed for Your Backyard appeared first on Rural Sprout.

If you’re seeking some inspiration for gifts that stand out, this guide highlights the best gifts for gardeners that are sure to delight anyone with a green thumb. There’s even a few DIY projects for those looking to have a homemade Christmas.

1. Homestead Iron Tools

Invest in quality with a hand-forged garden tool that will last decades longer than you. Each USA-made tool is constructed from high-carbon steel with the same blacksmithing techniques that were common practice for hundreds of years. They make the perfect gift for gardeners who value expert craftsmanship, and you’ll be supporting a small, family business with your purchase.

2. AeroGarden Harvest

Give the gift of year-round greens with an AeroGarden countertop hydroponic system. The system is optimized for growing up to six plants at a time without soil. It’s a mess-free form of gardening that gives you access to fresh herbs whenever the culinary urge strikes.

3. Mason Jar Terrarium Kit

This terrarium in a mason jar kit makes it possible to create your own plant centerpiece for a cute succulent. It includes everything necessary for starting, including pink reindeer moss and sphagnum moss—you just need to provide the succulent.

4. Copper Watering Can

Gardening equipment can be gorgeous as well as functional. This copper-hued watering can looks as lovely on a display shelf as it does out on the patio, and it’s constructed with quality stainless steel and chip-free vintage gold/copper paint. It’s the perfect size for watering indoor plants.

5. Cow Manure Natural Brew “Tea” Bags

Gift a new kind of tea this year with Authentic Haven’s Cow Manure Brew Pack. Each “tea” bag can be used to condition soil for better plant growth. Simply place the teabag in several gallons of water, cover, and let it steep for one to three days. You can then use it to water your plants, so you encourage stronger root systems and more robust growth all season long.

6. Kale Razor and Herb Stripper

Take the tedium out of stemming kale and stripping herbs with this tool that does double duty. It’s made in the USA from stainless steel and includes sharp blades and six hole sizes to make quicker work of your kitchen prep.

7. Fairy Gardening Kit

Add some whimsy to your friend’s garden this year with a fairy garden accessories kit. It includes a miniature house and figurines that can be staged in infinite ways. Glow in the dark pebbles and solar lights add to the charm. It’s the perfect patio accessory for kids and the young at heart.  

8. Easy DIY Worm Tower

If you’re a DIYer, this project is inexpensive and only takes about fifteen minutes to make. Get your favorite gardener started with vermicomposting this holiday season. Making your own compost and worm castings could never be easier.

9. Propagation Stand

For the houseplant lover who is always propagating new cuttings. Gift them with a beautiful propagation stand to show off all those lush, new plants as they grow. The minimalist design of the glass and wood fit nicely into any decor and add a touch of nature to any space.

10. Wildflower Seed Bombs

For the rebel gardener in your life, whip up a batch of wildflower seed bombs and support them in their green revolution. This project takes about half an hour and is easy enough for a child to help. All you need is clay, potting mix and seeds. Choose a native variety or a pollinator-friendly plant, and you’ll surely have a happy gardener on your hands.

11. Glow in the Dark Pebbles

Add interest to the nighttime garden with these glow-in-the-dark rocks. They can illuminate paths or highlight special landscape features surrounding your patio. Each pebble is crafted from a non-toxic resin, meaning they are safe for surrounding plant and animal life.

12. Bonsai Starter Kit

Gift a miniature tree with this bonsai kit designed to teach beginners the beauty of this traditional craft. Each kit includes everything necessary to start four small trees—all that’s needed is some patience. And if your seeds don’t sprout, you can use the company’s 100% satisfaction guarantee to claim a refund.

13. Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit

Gift someone the joy of homegrown mushrooms with a shiitake mushroom log. Each hand-cut log arrives inoculated with spores, meaning you can expect a fresh crop of mushrooms every two to three months. Simply soak the log for 24 hours once you receive it, and you should get your first mushroom crop within weeks. Not a fan of shiitakes? Choose an oyster log instead.

14. Wild Tomato Vine Candle

Let your favorite gardener enjoy the distinctive scent of tomatoes even during the offseason with a soy tomato that smells like them. Best of all, the candle’s packaging is biodegradable and contains tomato seeds so that you can enjoy the real thing as well.

15. Garden Tower

Give the gift of a horizontal garden. These wonderful garden towers allow you to grow a ton of vegetables, herbs and flowers in a small footprint by growing vertically. Add in the fact that the center of the tower contains a vermicomposting bin and this the perfect gardening gift for the urban organic gardener who doesn’t have a lot of space. 

16. Birth Month Flower Grow Kit

Show your thoughtfulness to a gardening friend with a birth month flower grow kit. It includes a glass bottle, a soil-less growing medium, and plenty of seeds for getting started. Each month has a specific flower assigned to it, but you can also defy tradition and buy your favorite instead.

Looking for a different way to celebrate with flowers? Consider a birth month flower necklace instead.

17. Beautiful (& Easy) DIY Herb & Flower Drying Rack

Herbal enthusiasts will love this low-tech hanging drying rack. It’s made with a tea towel. Choose a special tea towel that the giftee will love to make it extra personal. Perfect for a rustic Christmas.

18.  Sweet Heart Planter

This heart-shaped planter offers a shallow growing space perfect for growing succulents and other low maintenance plants. It’s handmade in the United States from cast stone cement and includes a drainage hole. An easy way to add style to any outdoor space.

19. Bird-Shaped Plant Watering Globes

One major threat to indoor plants is forgetting to water them. Put your favorite plant enthusiast’s mind at ease with a hand-blown glass globe. The whimsical bird design lets water into your pots when needed for a stress-free plant maintenance that’s especially beneficial if you need to leave home for a few days.

20. Herb Scissors

Make cooking with herbs a snap with these five-bladed kitchen shears. You can use them to chop up basil, parsley, and other delicate herbs without pulling out the cutting board, and the included comb makes cleaning as simple as a single swipe.

21. Gardana Clog

Made from 100% recyclable plastic hemp, these French-made waterproof clogs are the perfect gardening shoe and guaranteed to make a statement. They’ll hold up through months of mucking around in the dirt, and their unique speckled color tones come from the natural sugars within the hemp plant.

22. Hummingbird Feeder

Attract more hummingbirds to your backyard at once with this fun feeder. Get up close and personal with these tiny, winged jewels. Easy to fill and hang, it’s the perfect gift for avid bird watchers.

23. Paper Pot Maker

Looking for a use for excess newspaper? Transform it into seed starting pots! This solid oak paper pot maker lets you create biodegradable pots in seconds, saving you money on standard seed-starting equipment AND keeping more plastic out of production.

24. Flower Pot Bread-Making Kit

Take a love of garden products into the kitchen with this breadmaking kit that relies on flowerpots. You’ll receive four pots and all the ingredients necessary for four loaves of bread, including instructions for homemade lavender butter.

25. Cocktail Grow Kit

Treat the classy cocktail lover in your life with this unique herb growing kit. It includes six seed packets (thyme, lavender, Thai basil, mint, lemon balm, and blue borage) packaged in a recycled egg carton. You can plant them directly in the carton with the included soil and transplant the seedlings once they start to size up. It’s guaranteed to make your home happy hours more interesting.

26. Butterfly House

Insect lovers will enjoy this gift of a butterfly house that gives them safe places to rest. The design’s narrow slits let butterflies in while keeping potential predators far away. It’s the perfect way to dress up a garden space. You can make the space feel extra homey for this favorite pollinator by planting a butterfly garden seed mix.

27. Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy

Chapped hands go with gardening, so help soothe them for someone special with this ultra-moisturizing hand cream. It’s made from macadamia seed oil and shea butter as well as a blend of herbal extracts that work to replenish lost moisture and repair cracks or cuticle damage. Even the scent should remind you of a pleasant spring rain.  

28. Mindful Gardener Book

Gardening season can get you caught in the whirlwind, so gift this journal that brings perspective. It offers pages of inspirational quotes, tutorials, and writing exercises designed to help you live in the moment and tackle any challenges that come up. 

Gift-giving doesn’t need to stress you out this year. Consider one of these top gifts for gardeners, and your guaranteed to get the inspiration you need to make your favorite plant lover’s day.  

The post 28 Thoughtful Gardening Gifts for the Green Thumb in Your Life appeared first on Rural Sprout.

A hori hori is really the ideal tool for us easily distracted gardeners.

Maybe you know the drill. You set out into the garden with a specific task in mind and you spot a clump of weeds along the way. Or an overgrown shrub that could use a trim, or flowers that need deadheading, or a leafy green that’s ready to be cut-and-come-again’ed. Suddenly one job turns into several.

But with a hori hori in hand, you can do all these things and more.  

A multi-tool for the gardening set, a hori hori is essentially a trowel, shovel, saw, knife, and measuring tape, all rolled into one.

Every part of the hori hori has a purpose. Made from solid stainless steel, the 7.25 inch blade has a slightly concave shape and a pointed tip that allows it to slide through soil like butter.

The edges of the knife – one side beveled and the other serrated – are used to slice and saw. The face of the hori hori is etched with a ruler.

Taken all together, the hori hori lets you get straight down to business. With no need to stop what you’re doing to switch tools, you can seamlessly zigzag from task to task.

My trusty Nisaku Hori Hori Knife is by my side all season long, from first thaw to first snowfall.

Here’s why it’s my favorite tool for almost any gardening encounter:

1. Weeding

Removing weeds is one of the things a hori hori does best.

The sharp tip slices through compacted, heavy, and bone dry soils with ease.

The curvature of the blade lets you get nice and close to the roots of the plant. Dig into the soil at a slight angle to get under the root mass and pull back on the hori hori handle to lever them out.

Weeds with a long taproot come up whole, ensuring you’re getting every last bit.

2. Digging

Hori hori means “dig dig” in Japanese, an onomatopoeia for the sound that digging makes.

And dig dig it does. Use it to make planting holes, remove turf, and edge small areas.

Because it keeps roots intact, it’s a safer way to dig up and divide perennials.

3. Planting

No matter what gardening method you use – tilled soil, no-dig, raised beds, container gardening – a hori hori is a definite asset in the sowing and planting department.

Where it really excels, though, is in no-dig systems where you want to minimize soil disturbance as much as possible.

Using the etched measurements on the blade to determine planting depth, insert the hori hori, and pull back on the handle to part the soil. Remove the blade and deposit the seed inside. When you’re done, gently push the soil back together.

Seedlings, tubers, bulbs, and other larger specimens can be planted in the same fashion, just pry open a wider deposit in the soil.

Lay the hori hori down on the soil next to your planting spot and it becomes a measuring tool. Use it as a guide to determine the appropriate amount of space between individual plantings and rows.

4. Pruning

As the garden matures over summer, originally tidy and compact plants can become hulking monsters that take up more than their fair share of space.

Although a good set of hand pruners will do a neater job, the serrated edge of the hori hori comes in handy for quickly trimming back overgrowth.

The saw is sharp enough to cut through branches a half-inch thick in just a few strokes. Hack away at wayward shrubs, vines, and brush as you go.

Having a hori hori within reach is convenient for deadheading on the fly, too. Prompt a second bloom in bushier plants like catmint, alyssum, and thread-leaf coreopsis by grasping the plant in one hand and using the hori hori to shear it down to the ground.

5. Harvesting

Flip the hori hori over to the beveled side for its slicing and chopping action. It will cut through soft and tender leaves like lettuce, arugula, and chives without any trouble at all.

The serrated side is useful for gathering lavender, rosemary, thyme, and other woody-stemmed herbs.

It’s the perfect implement for harvesting root vegetables. The long blade makes it a snap to loosen the soil around carrots, beets, parsnips, and other edible roots without damaging them.

6. Random Garden-Adjacent Tasks

Clearly, a hori hori is no one-trick pony! And once you start using it around the garden, you’ll find that it has plenty of other offbeat functions.

Need to open a bag of mulch? Slice through twine? Chop up yard waste for the composter? Break down a cardboard box? Measure something, purely to satisfy your curiosity?

It’s all in a day’s work for the hori hori.

Buying A Hori Hori Knife

A Hori Hori knife is an affordable garden tool, often coming in around the $25 mark. There are lots of different options available here on Amazon at a range of price points.

My Hori Hori knife, and the one pictured throughout this article, is the Nisaku Hori Hori Knife. It comes with a faux leather sheath for easily securing to your belt.

The post 6 Reasons Every Gardener Needs a Hori Hori Knife appeared first on Rural Sprout.

If you wander into the garden section at any store, inevitably, you’ll be met by a wall of orange pots – the terracotta section.

If you’re new to gardening in general or just terracotta pots, you’ve probably wondered what the big deal is with these silly things.

After all, they’ve been around forever, and you can find them in the fanciest nursery down to lowly old Walmart. But there has to be something to these pots since there are so many nicer-looking options out there.

So, what is it? What is the big deal with terracotta pots?

1. It Helps to Know a Bit About Terracotta

Terracotta’s enduring popularity is centuries old, millennia even. Whether we’re building irrigation systems in ancient Rome, making roof tiles for our homes or creating timeless pieces of art that will last thousands of years, it seems our clay of choice is terracotta.

One of the biggest reasons is that you can find it anywhere in the world. It’s the most commonly found clay in the soil on every continent.

(Well, I don’t know how much clay has been unearthed from Antarctica, but I’ll bet it’s there, too, if you dig deep enough.)

Not only is terracotta plentiful, but it’s inexpensive to make and easy to work with. Terracotta is quite malleable and doesn’t require crazy hot temperatures to fire it like other clays. It’s no wonder humans have reached for this natural construction and art material for ages.

And it seems when someone made the first terracotta pot for gardening, something clicked, and we’ve been hard-pressed to find another alternative that measures up. Easy to find, easy to work with and inexpensive to make. I’m sure you’re beginning to see why these pots are so popular. But let’s take a closer look at its use as a gardening tool.

2. Use Your Ears to Choose High-Quality Terracotta Pots

Ditch the notion that terracotta pots are fragile. There is an entire army in China that would take offense at being called “fragile.”

Some of the oldest pottery fragments found in archeological digs are terracotta. And ancient vases made from it are sitting in museums, all attesting to its durability.

But like most things these days, there is also a lot of cheap terracotta on the market. Its durability has a lot to do with how it’s fired, and when it comes to making durable, high-quality terracotta, no one beats the Italians.  

For centuries now, the best terracotta has come from Italy. (I guess that’s why they got to name it. Terracotta translates to “baked earth” in Italian)

The notion that terracotta is fragile stems from purchasing terracotta of inferior quality.

Lower-quality terracotta is much more susceptible to cracks due to temperature changes – think freezing weather and a porous pot saturated with water. However, good quality Italian terracotta pots can last decades if properly cared for. Ask any seasoned gardener, and I bet they have a collection of terracotta pots they’ve had for decades.  

When choosing terracotta, check the outside of the pot for a “Made in Italy” stamp, but also use your ears.

Turn the pot upside down on a flat surface, and place your finger over the drainage hole on the bottom. Now tap the rim of the pot with a metal object like a spoon or a screwdriver. Good quality terracotta will have a nice ring to it. If you get a thud, it’s a dud.

The best part about buying good quality Italian terracotta pots is that they’re still reasonably priced compared to many other planter options.

3. It’s Okay If Orange Isn’t Your Color.

Many folks love the classic earthy look of terracotta because it goes well with nearly any interior style. If the color reminds you of rust, there’s a good reason for that.

The natural hue comes from the high iron content of terracotta, usually between 5-10%. The iron oxidizes during the firing process giving it that “rusty” orange we all know so well.

But some folks avoid using terracotta because they don’t like the orange color. Terracotta is easy to paint and makes the perfect blank canvas for turning your gardening into a fun DIY project.

4. Porous Clay is Your Friend – Mostly

Using terracotta pots has a bit of a learning curve, but lucky you, you’re reading this article, so you can skip to the head of the class.

Yes, terracotta pots are naturally porous, so you’ll need to do a few things differently. This natural porosity is good for a few reasons.

Believe it or not, most people damage their plants not by forgetting to water them but by overwatering them. It seems whenever our plants look a little off, our instinct is to water them first and ask questions later.

Terracotta allows the soil to dry out quicker, meaning even if you get a little heavy-handed with the watering can, your plant will probably be fine.

Terracotta pots also have a drainage hole, so your plants won’t sit in water. Between the quick-drying porous clay and the excellent drainage, it’s rare to have a plant growing in terracotta develop root rot or other diseases that occur in damp soil.

If this is an issue you struggle with, consider switching to terracotta pots.

The flip side is that you generally need to water plants growing in terracotta more often. So, it’s a good idea to choose a pot slightly larger than your plant needs. Having a bit more soil volume will cut down on some of that extra watering. Size up about 1” bigger than you normally would.  

I’m sure by now you’re already thinking of certain plants that hate having wet feet and how they would do so much better in terracotta. You would be right. Some plants do better in terracotta, and some would do better grown in a less porous planter.

Plants That Do Well in Terracotta

• Snake Plant
• Monstera
• ZZ Plant
• Pothos
• African Violets
• Christmas/Holiday Cactus
• Succulents
• Cacti
• Aloe Vera
• Jade Plant
• Pilea
• Bromeliads (they prefer water in their leaves rather than the soil)

Plants That Don’t Do Well in Terracotta

• Ferns
• Spider plants
• Umbrella Plant
• Baby’s Tears
• Pitcher Plant
• Lucky Bamboo
• Creeping Jenny
• Nerve Plant
• Lilies
• Iris
• Oxalis

Of course, these are just a few examples. If plants don’t like wet feet or are susceptible to root rot, they will most likely do well in terracotta.

It’s important to remember that while some plants prefer having moist soil and some prefer it dry, they might also have different humidity needs. Even though they may prefer the porous nature of terracotta, they still might need moist air to thrive.

Alright, Tracey, you’ve convinced me to try terracotta pots.

5. Pre-planting Terracotta Prep

The first thing you will need to do before planting in terracotta is to soak it. As we’ve already discussed, terracotta is naturally porous, so if you put moist potting soil into a brand new, dry terracotta pot, it’s immediately going to pull all of the moisture out of the soil.

Fill your sink or a bucket with water and put your terracotta in to soak. Leave it overnight or for twenty-four hours. You really do want to give it a good long soak.

Remember that drainage hole we talked about? For years the old tip was to put a stone or a piece of broken terracotta over the drainage hole to prevent soil from washing out of the bottom. Instead, put a paper coffee filter in the bottom. Not only does this keep the soil in the pot, but it allows the water to drain out slower so the roots can soak up more of it.

Make sure your pot and the coffee filter are soaking wet. The paper will stick to the inside of the pot better, making it easier to fill the pot with soil, so it doesn’t slide down between the pot and the filter.

6. Protect Your Furniture

You may have noticed one of the obvious drawbacks of terracotta saucers. (Hopefully, you’ve noticed it before you ruined a piece of nice furniture.) As terracotta pots and saucers are both porous, if you use them indoors, you need to put something under them to protect the furniture. Because of the roughness of the clay, you’ll want to protect fine furniture from scuffs anyway.

A few suggestions:

• Cover the inside of the saucer with foil
• Dip the bottom of the pot and/or saucer in melted wax and allow it to dry
• Place the saucer on top of a cork mat
• Pick up an old decorative trivet to put under your saucer
• Purchase plastic drip trays to put the saucer in
• Use a sealed clay saucer

7. A White or Green Patina is Normal

After a while, your terracotta is indoors or out, you’ll notice the pot starts to develop a white, crusty film on the outside. This is completely normal. Some folks even prefer this patina as it gives the pots a characteristically aged look.

It’s simply the minerals and salts in your water and fertilizers filtered out by the clay. If you don’t like this look, you can minimize it by using rainwater or distilled water. Chemical fertilizers (usually salts) are more likely to leave a white residue than natural fertilizers.

Outdoor pots can even develop moss on them. Some folks prefer to age their terracotta by applying a thin coat of yogurt to the outside of pots and letting them sit in the sun for a few days.

UPDATE JULY 2023: I tested some of the most popular ways to quickly age terracotta pots, and while yogurt did work, it wasn’t the best method. Take a look at my no-effort way to age terracotta pots here.

8. Cleaning Terracotta – Don’t Worry, It’s Not Hard

If you don’t like the natural patina that develops or if you plan to grow different plants in a used pot, eventually, you will need to clean your terracotta.

To clean crusty, stained terracotta, remove the plant and the potting soil and let the pot dry out completely. (Check Mickey’s post on what to do with that leftover potting soil.) Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub out as much dried-on dirt as possible.

Next, you’ll need to soak the pots in a vinegar and water solution or water and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Let the pots soak overnight, and then give them a good scrubbing with a brush or scouring pad. Rinse the pots well, and they’re good to go.

However, if you’re growing a different plant in them or the previous plant had pests or a disease, you will need to disinfect your pots with a mild bleach and water solution. Because they’re porous, all that surface area is great for fungi and bacterial spores to grow.

A word about bleach.

Bleach always seems to get a bad rep from the environmentally conscious crowd because it’s made from *gasp* chemicals. This reputation is, however, unfairly earned. When exposed to air, bleach quickly oxidizes and breaks down into two even scarier chemicals – salt and water.

Yup, that’s it, folks. So, please, don’t be scared to use bleach.

Soak your pots in a bucket or sink with water and a ¼ cup of bleach. Don’t let them soak for longer than an hour, and don’t use more bleach than that. If left for too long or used in larger amounts, bleach can weaken and wear down your terracotta.

Let the pots air dry, and they will be ready for the next generation of tomatoes or impossible-to-keep-alive-calathea.

Terracotta pots can be used for so much more than growing plants too. They’re often the basis for craft projects, you can use them to make an inexpensive heater, and you can even use them to irrigate your garden.

Terracotta pots deserve a spot in every gardening shed and every houseplant lover’s collection. Their natural beauty and practicality have stood the test of time, and it’s easy to see why.

The post 8 Things You Need to Know Before Using Terracotta Pots appeared first on Rural Sprout.

Tell me if this has ever happened to you, my friend. Spring rolls around, and you’re ready to get out in the garden and start the season properly. Only you can’t seem to find your kneeling pad, your hand pruners have rusted together because you forgot to clean them before you put them away last year, and a family of mice spent the winter making a nest in your garden gloves.   

It’s not the best way to kick off a new growing season.

Most of us would rather play in the dirt and the spring sunshine instead of searching for lost tools or replacing broken ones.

But with a little time invested now, you can make spring gardening easier for future-you.

After the garden has been laid to rest for winter, a few extra steps will ensure your gardening tools will be in good working order next year. And getting in the habit of performing annual maintenance means those same tools will last for years to come.

Let’s look at a few things you should do before you hang up your tools for the year.

Clean and Put Away Terracotta and Other Fragile Planters

The elements can take their toll on items left outside during the winter months, so putting away things like terracotta pots and other clay planters is important. Any moisture remaining in the porous clay will freeze and expand, cracking the pot. Plastic planters can become brittle in cold weather and crack too. Even if you don’t live where winter sees freezing temperatures, sun and rain exposure will shorten the life of pots left outdoors.

Compost annuals and follow Mickey’s tips for how to reuse the remaining potting soil in the pot. If you have a perennial planted in a clay pot, consider moving it somewhere indoors for the winter, such as a greenhouse, shed or garage.

Now is also a great time to clean and sterilize pots before they’re used again next spring. Use a dry, stiff-bristle brush to remove as much dirt as possible, then rinse the pots out with a garden hose.

Mix four cups of water and one tablespoon of bleach in a spray bottle and wet the entire surface of the container, inside and out, with the bleach solution. The pots can be stacked and stored away neatly, ready when spring rolls around again.

Tidy Up and Put Away Large Tools

Wheelbarrow Maintenance

It’s best to store your wheelbarrow somewhere out of the elements. Before putting it away for the season, add a touch of grease to the wheel bearings. Sweep out the tray and store it somewhere out of the elements.

If you can, store your wheelbarrow in a shop or garage, as extreme cold can cause rubber tires to become brittle and crack. Regardless, if the weather is too cold, you’ll likely need to add more air in the spring, as the cold will cause a drop in tire pressure.

Clean Out and Put Away Your Garden Box

Wait? What do you mean you don’t have a garden box? You really should. These handy outdoor storage boxes keep gardening gear close at hand during the season.

At the end of the year, though, they need to be cleaned out (they tend to collect odd bits and bobs during the gardening season) and put somewhere out of the elements so that they can do their job again in the spring.

Cleaning out your garden box at the end of the season is also a great way to determine if you need to replace worn-out or used-up items like gloves or fertilizer.

Bring gloves indoors and toss cloth gloves in the wash. Brush off leather gloves with a stiff-bristled brush and rub in a thin coat of saddle soap.

Hand Tool Maintenance

Gather all of your small hand tools. Check handles for cracks and decide if anything needs to be replaced. Now is a good time to scrub hand tools with soapy water to remove sticky build-up from the season. Cleaning your tools also prevents the spread of plant diseases.

Wood handles should be rubbed with a light application of linseed oil to keep the wood conditioned and prevent it from cracking.

Rust Removal

It doesn’t take long for rust to show up on your favorite hand tools. But it’s relatively easy to remove. All you need is vinegar, salt and baking soda. Submerge and soak rusty hand tools in vinegar with 2-3 tablespoons of table salt mixed in.

Let the tools soak for 12-24 hours before removing them and scrubbing any remaining rust with steel wool. You’ll need to submerge your tool again in a mixture of water with two tablespoons of baking soda. This alkaline solution neutralizes the acidity of the vinegar.

Lindsay did an excellent job of walking readers through the rust-removal process over here.

Loppers, pruners and shears should all be sharpened at the end of the year. Use a fine file to smooth out and hone any nicked or rolled edges on a blade surface. To prevent future rust, treat the surface of the metal with a neutral oil, like mineral oil or WD-40.

Store Tools and Keep Them Rust Free

We’ll use an old machine shop trick to clean, store and keep hand tools rust-free during the winter. Grab a bucket and fill it with clean sand. Now pour mineral oil over the top of the sand.

Take your hand tools, like your trusty Hori Hori knife, garden spade and weeder and thrust them repeatedly into the sand.

The sand cleans the tools and helps to remove light rust. The oil coats the metal and prevents future rust. When the tools are clean and shiny, shove them back into the oil-soaked sand up to the handle. This will keep them looking good and ready to go next spring.

Larger Tool Maintenance

Don’t forget to show your larger tools a little love before you close them up in the shop for the winter.

Clean & Remove Rust

Grab rakes, shovels, hoes and forks and use a stiff-bristle brush to remove caked-on dirt.

Rinse them off with the hose once you’ve got most of the dirt off. If the tools are especially rusty, you may want to consider Lindsay’s vinegar soak, followed by a final alkaline soak.

Sharpen, Coat & Put Away

Finally, don’t forget to sharpen spade and shovel blades. Having a dull shovel makes the back-breaking work of digging that much more back-breaking. Finish by coating the metal surfaces of large tools with WD-40 or mineral oil to protect them from rust over the winter. Hang them neatly where they will be ready to go next spring.

And when you’re all done cleaning and putting away tools, don’t forget to put the garden hose away too!

And that’s that. Sure, it’s a little extra work at the end of the season, but you’ll be glad you took the time to clean and care for your tools come next spring. When the weather warms up and you’re ready to get back out in the garden, you won’t waste time searching for lost tools or dealing with rusty, dull blades.

The post How To Clean, Maintain, Sharpen & Store Garden Tools So They Last Forever appeared first on Rural Sprout.

Learn from my mistakes – always, always survey your working area before packing it in for the day.

Or else…this will happen:

Yup, gardening tools left outside to weather the elements will soon look like old pieces of junk.

Rusty hand shears with a dull blade certainly take all the joy out of pruning. Not only does it make cutting more difficult and time-consuming, the jagged cuts aren’t good for the plant either.

Smoothly snipping away is so much more satisfying and plants will appreciate a clean cut too. Straight cuts will heal faster and the wounds will better resist diseases and insects.

A good set of hand pruners are made to last a lifetime, so don’t chuck ‘em away. It’s really easy to restore a used and abused pair of shears back to nearly new condition.

Supplies:

• Large glass jar or casserole dish
• White vinegar
• Table salt
• Baking soda
• Multipurpose oil
• Carbide sharpening tool or diamond file
• Steel wool
• Clean rag

Remove the Rust with Vinegar and Salt

To bring your snips back to their former shiny glory, all you need to do is soak the rusted parts in a solution of white vinegar and salt.

This trick works will any metal tool that’s corroded with rust – hammers, wrenches, loppers, scissors, and the like – by following these same steps.

My pruning shears are in pretty bad shape so I disassembled them first by removing the bolt that holds the blades together. It’s not strictly necessary to do this, but I wanted to make sure the solution would reach all the inner bits.

Next, fill a glass jar or baking dish with vinegar. Add roughly 2 tablespoons of salt and stir until the granules are mostly dissolved.

Add your pruners to the mix and top up with vinegar, if needed, to completely submerge the metal. Toss in the bolt and nut too.

After a few hours, you’ll see little bubbles working their magic on the rust:

Let the pruners soak for 12 to 24 hours. I left mine immersed for a full day.

The remaining rust can be scrubbed off using steel wool.

Once the pruners are rust-free, we’ll need to neutralize the acidity of the vinegar by plunking the clippers into a jar with filled with water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

Leave them in there for about 10 minutes. When time’s up, take them out and let the pruners dry completely before proceeding to the next steps.

Sharpening the Shears

When your pruners aren’t so rusty, you can skip the vinegar dip and clean the blade and mechanism with soapy water. Scrub with a toothbrush to remove dirt, sap, and plant debris from all the nooks and crannies, and then wipe it down with a clean rag. Use steel wool to clear away light rust.

To get your pruners snipping smoothly again, you’ll need to use a sharpening tool along the beveled edge of the blade. In bypass pruners, you only need to sharpen the upper blade.

I used a carbide tool because it’s so simple to use, but any sharpening stone or diamond file would do the job.

Match the sharpener to the angle of the bevel – around 10 to 20 degrees – and draw it along the edge from the back of the blade to the tip. Do it in one smooth motion with a moderate amount of pressure on the tool.

You only need to do 4 to 5 swipes across the bevel. You’ll feel the burs being removed as you run the sharpener across.

Flip the pruners over and do the other side. This side is flat so run the sharpener flush to the blade. When both sides are smooth to the touch, you’re done honing the edge.

Apply a Coat of Multipurpose Oil

Prevent future rusting and keep the squeeze mechanism moving seamlessly by applying a thin coat of multipurpose oil as the final step.

Using a rag, rub the lubricant all over the blades and moving parts. Work the pruners back and forth a few times to disperse oils through the closing mechanism.

And now for the real test:

Amazing!

Clean and sharpen your pruning tools in fall before tucking them away for the winter season. Add this task to your autumn to-do list and you’ll hit the ground running every spring.

The post How to Easily Clean & Sharpen Your Pruning Shears appeared first on Rural Sprout.

When I first got a look at these things, my initial thought was, “What in the world are they?” They’re shipped flat, so what you receive isn’t pot-shaped. And it’s filled with holes, lots of holes.

Air pruning pots are rhomboid-shaped pieces of plastic with funny cone-shaped indents. On one side, the cones have small holes at their tips, and on the other side of the sheet of plastic, the cones do not. They come with a couple of screw-like fasteners and a flat round bottom piece of plastic screen.

You assemble it by wrapping the rhomboid-shaped piece around the round bottom, forming a pot. The fasteners are screwed in and keep the whole thing held tightly together. Then you fill it with your growing medium, compacting it firmly. Unlike traditional pots, where you don’t want firmly packed soil, in this case, doing so prevents the medium from washing out of the holes in the pot each time you water it.

My immediate thought was that there was no way this worked. But they do! In fact, they work so well they’re trusted and used by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in England. They grow over 3,000 species of plants using Air-Pots.

Tree nurseries love them as they produce saplings with perfect rootballs. As anyone who has ever tried to plant a tree can tell you, a healthy rootball is key to the sapling becoming well-established.

It’s probably safe to say they will be the most interesting pot you’ll ever use.

How Do Air Pruning Pots Work?

Air, air, and more air.

When asked to list what plants need to grow large, strong, and yield lots of fruit or flowers, what do we usually think of?

• Sun
• Good soil
• Water
• Nutrients

Rarely does air make that list. However, it should. Believe it or not, the key to healthy plants and large yields isn’t what’s above ground but below. Healthy roots always correlate to a healthy plant.

Air pruning pots work by using air to prune the roots of the growing plant.

Remember the cones I mentioned? The cones on the inside of the pot direct roots to grow toward the holes facing the outside of the pot.

As the roots reach these tiny holes, they are exposed to the air, and they dry out and die back a little. This is exactly what you want, as it sends an enzymatic message to the plant to produce new root growth along the now-trimmed root. As more and more root tips reach the air, the plant receives more signals to put out more roots.

In the end, you have a denser rootball with tons of surface area, which means the plant can take up more water and nutrients.

This air-pruning also eliminates root-circling, which is a problem when using traditional growing pots.

Why are circular roots a problem?

Roots are pretty interesting. They will keep on growing until something stops them. That can be you trimming them or, more often, exposure to air.

When you grow something in a traditional container, the roots are never exposed to air, so as the plant grows, so do the roots. Once the roots hit the sides of the pot, they will continue to grow, circling around inside the pot.

Over time this unchecked root growth pushes soil and the plant up out of the pot. If left for too long, these circling roots can put enough pressure on the stem to prevent water and nutrient uptake. In short, the plant strangles itself.

Beneficial Bacteria and Fungi

If you’re a long-time Rural Sprout reader, you know of my undying love of mycorrhizae. Air pruning pots are mycorrhiza’s best friend. By encouraging more root growth, you have a greater surface area for beneficial bacteria and fungi to attach to. In turn, these naturally occurring microorganisms in the soil “pre-digest” nutrients, making them easier for the plant to absorb.

They also further increase the surface area, essentially becoming a part of the plant’s root system. This means the plant can take up more water and nutrients.

All of this leads to healthier, stronger plants with higher drought tolerance and disease resistance. As we all know, these are the kinds of plants that give the largest yields.

So you see, air pruning pots work to improve the root system, which in turn gives you rapid plant growth. Not too shabby for a funny-looking pot. Aside from the obvious benefits, there are a few other great things you’ll notice when using air pruning pots to grow houseplants, veggies and fruits.

No More Leaning Towers of Pots

Container gardening is awesome. Whether you have limited land or just want to grow vegetables and herbs close to your backdoor, growing in pots is the perfect solution. Unfortunately, at the end of the season, you’re faced with storing your containers out of the elements so you can use them next year.  

If you use the same shape pot, you can have the Leaning Tower of Garden Pots in your garage or shed. This has its drawbacks; it’s unsightly and prone to falling over or you tripping over it.

One of the great features of air pruning pots is that they’re easily disassembled at the end of the growing season and stored flat. They take up much less space, and you can tuck them out of sight and out of the way.

Repotting is a Breeze

When it’s time to pot up to a larger size, you remove the pot from the plant rather than the other way around. You’ll have less of a dirty mess, and it will be less stressful on the plant itself. Place the unwrapped plant in a new air pruning pot the next size up and add more growing medium. There are a variety of sizes of air pruning pots available here – from tiny propagation pots to pots capable of growing trees.

Air Pruning Pots and Decorative Planters Are Made to go Together

We can all agree that while the benefits of using air pruning pots are well worth it, they aren’t exactly lovely to behold. Luckily, they fit beautifully inside decorative planters. If you’re going to use these pots with another planter, make sure the decorative planter you set the air pruning pot in is still large enough to encourage plenty of airflow.

Using the air pruning pot inside the decorative planter, you will extend the life of your planter and avoid unsightly salt stains from fertilizers. Using an air pruning pot inside another decorative planter also helps preserve moisture, meaning you aren’t watering as often.

Downsides to Using Air Pruning Pots

There are a few downsides to consider when deciding if this style of pot will work for your gardening needs.

More Frequent Watering is Needed

Because of the holes in the tips of the cones, the pot will have a higher evaporation rate than a more traditional pot. However, this is balanced somewhat by the increased surface area of the roots. More roots = faster and more efficient absorption of water.

The manufacturer recommends a drip irrigation system for their pots, which is fine and dandy if you’re using a lot of them, like in a commercial setting, or you can consolidate them to one area. But for the home grower who is only using a few of these pots or who has them spread out around their patio or yard, a drip irrigation system can be costly and impractical.

So, you’re back to hand watering with a hose or can, which you will need to do more frequently, especially during the hottest summer days.

You May Need to Pot Up More Frequently

This might be a benefit, depending on how you look at it. But by encouraging the development of large root systems, you’re encouraging rapid plant growth. This means you will need to repot into a larger pot more often than using a traditional growing container. Luckily, because of the way the air pruning pots are designed, this is easy enough to do.  

While they may seem a bit odd, I would encourage home gardeners everywhere to give these weird pots a try. They might be the very thing you’re looking for to get those prize-winning tomatoes you’ve been dreaming of or kick your Meyer lemon tree into flowering this year.

Where To Buy Air Pruning Pots

You probably won’t find air pruning pots available in your local garden center but there are a number of sellers offering various sizes of pot on Amazon.

This listing is great if you want to test these pots out with just a few plants. You can purchase six five-gallon pots from here – big enough to grow most veggies.

If you know that air pruning pots are for you, then this listing offers bulk purchase of various sizes from 0.8 gallons up to 8.5 gallon planters.

The post Air Pruning Pots – The Weird Planter That Every Gardener Needs To Try appeared first on Rural Sprout.

A trellis can be a very useful addition to a garden or growing area. In this article, I want to show you how to make a rustic woven branch trellis that’s perfect for climbing plants.

A trellis like this can have a wide range of uses whether you grow climbing vines loaded with flowers or you have a passion for pole beans and peas. 

I made mine to stand wherever I’m growing legumes but you could use yours in a number of different settings, and for a number of different purposes.

Why Might You Need a Trellis?

Before we discuss how to make a rustic woven branch trellis, let’s take a moment to think about why you might want a trellis in the first place. Determining what exactly the trellis is for, and where it will be used is important. When you don’t know these things, you won’t be able to make design decisions about your trellis, or determine which materials to use. 

You might need (or choose) to add a trellis:

• To a sunny wall or fence.
• To the edge of a raised bed.
• To grow crops vertically in a square foot garden.
• Freestanding, between different parts of your garden. 
• Inside a greenhouse or polytunnel.
• Above a window box or other container on a balcony or porch, or even inside your home.

Wherever it is positioned, a trellis can serve one or more of the following functions. It can:

• Save space by allowing plants to grow vertically rather than horizontally.
• Give climbing or vining plants the structure they need to grow tall and strong.
• Allow you to disguise or screen an ugly wall or fence.
• Create a decorative garden feature.
• Screen off a certain area of your property from view (for example, recycling bins or compost heaps).
• Create a degree of separation between different garden zones. (For example, a trellis can provide a little privacy for an outside seating area).

Why Not Just Buy a Trellis?

Why should you make your own trellis using branches from your garden when you could just buy one? Well, of course, you could simply choose one of the many examples that there are on sale. 

If you do decide to go the route of buying a trellis be sure to choose materials that can hold up to the elements where you plan to use it. Wood and bamboo trellises can be great sustainable options, but a metal trellis is strong and durable. Take care with using painted trellis around edible plants – especially if you cannot fully determine exactly what type of paint was used. 

Making your own can give you far more control over the shape and size making it much more customizable.

Reasons To Make Your Own Natural Branch Trellis

Of course, when you make your own trellis with branches from your garden or the surrounding area, you know exactly where the materials have come from.

Using natural materials from your local environment can also help your man-made structures blend in more with the natural ecosystem of your property. Using such materials can give your garden a very harmonious and peaceful atmosphere and help your garden feel more rooted in the landscape.

And when your trellis is no longer needed, a natural branch trellis won’t create a waste problem. Eventually, the trellis you create will simply biodegrade, and be recycled into the natural system.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that such a structure will cost next to nothing to make. You might potentially even be able to make one for free.

Determining Your Trellis Design

There are a number of different design ideas to consider when creating a trellis from natural branches. For example, you could create a:

• Ladder type design, with a grid of squares made from vertical and horizontal branches.
• Closer-woven trellis with vertical and horizontal branches.
• Lattice of diamond shapes, with branches placed diagonally across the structure. 

Of course, you could get more creative and turn your trellis into a true piece of garden art. But these three designs are the easiest ways to make a structure that is suitable for a range of plants to climb.

Sourcing Your Materials

Branches

The main material you will need for your woven branch trellis is, of course, the branches themselves. For this easy, forgiving project, you can use almost any type of wood you choose. Simply use whichever branches you have on hand. You will need some garden shears or a saw (for larger branches) to cut branches to the right lengths.

It’s easier to choose green wood that is slightly flexible, yet rigid enough to hold its shape. The width of branches you choose will depend on whether the structure is to be freestanding or placed against a wall or fence. It will also depend on how sheltered or exposed the position will be. 

To make your life easier, it will be best to choose branches that are as straight as possible. But you can also choose branches that are curved or wavy to create some interesting, rustic effects. By adapting to the branches you have available, you can create some truly unique and beautiful trellises from what you have to hand. 

Twine

In addition to the branches you will need some natural twine or string to tie your branches together and make a sturdy structure. (It’s best to use natural twine rather than a twine made from plastic for the obvious environmental reasons. Natural twine is less costly in environmental terms to make, and will biodegrade naturally along with the branches at the end of the trellis’s useful life.)

You could also use strips cut from an old t-shirt.

Choosing to tie branches together rather than undertaking some more advanced wood carpentry/joinery techniques makes this a far quicker and easier project.

How To Make Your Woven Branch Trellis

The time has now come to create your woven branch trellis. The exact technique that you choose will of course depend on where your trellis will be positioned, and the design you have selected. However, the method of construction is more or less the same for all three trellis designs mentioned above. 

While this is a project that you can undertake on your own, it may be easier if you have a helper to hold things in place as you go.

The Method:

Part One: Placing Uprights

• First, position your uprights into the ground or into your raised bed or container. For ladder type and tighter weave vertical and horizontal strut designs, these will protrude vertically from the ground. How widely spaced these uprights are will determine the tightness of the mesh of the trellis.

For a diamond lattice design, the branches will protrude diagonally. Alternate branches that face diagonally in one direction with those that face the other. To keep things stronger, make sure that all the left facing branches are to the front, and right facing ones to the back (or vice versa) on the first row, then the opposite way round at the next point they join. If you want the trellis to have vertical edges, place vertical uprights at both edges of the structure. 

Part Two: Weaving in Branches and Tying Them Together

• Next, for the first two types of trellis design, take another branch and weave it in and out between these uprights. Pass it behind the first upright, in front of the second, behind the third etc. Weaving the branches in this way will make a sturdier structure than simply attaching your horizontal branches to the front or back of the uprights.

• Now, it’s time to begin tying your branches together to form the trellis structure. Decide how high off the ground to position your first horizontal branch, or to cross over your diagonal struts. 
• Now use the twine to tie the branches firmly together. There are a number of different knot and tying methods you could choose. But the key thing is to make sure that the branches cannot slip upwards or downwards, or break free. After passing the twine around the branches, secure them by knotting them. To keep things neater, try to make your knots at the back of the trellis structure. (Leave trailing ends for now. These can be neatened up and cut off later.) 

Tip: It is easier to secure the ends first, before tying in branches across the middle of the structure. This is especially true if you do not have a second pair of hands to help you hold branches in place while you secure them. For smaller, lighter trellis, you may find it is not necessary to tie the central cross-overs at all.

Part Three: Continuing to Make a Trellis of the Required Height

• Once you have secured the branches at this first row, it is time to move upwards. For the first two designs, you will now add another horizontal branch, weaving it in and out of the uprights as before, and securing it at the desired height above the last one.

For a diamond lattice, you will tie each diagonal onto the next diagonal that points in the opposite direction, as you move upwards. This will begin to create your diamond shapes. At the sides of the trellis, tie your diagonals onto your uprights. (You can trim off lengths of branch protruding from the edges of the structure later.)

• Continue as above, adding or tying in branches as you move upwards until your trellis is at the required height. As you can see from the image, I chose to tie my upright branches together at the top to make a simple arch-like shape.

If you wish, you can add a horizontal branch at the top of a diagonal lattice to make a square or rectangular structure. (Alternatively, you could leave out the upright sides and horizontal top strut, and instead make a triangular diamond shape lattice trellis.)

Part Four: Finishing Touches

• When you have a fully tied together structure of the right height, it is time for the finishing touches. Trim off any branches that protrude from your trellis.
• Finally, trim off any straggling twine, and neaten everything up. Then you’re done.

Your trellis should now be strong and stable enough to support plants. So you can get planting. Transplant or sow seeds and before long, your trellis will be green with living plants.

This simple project is just one way to enhance and improve your garden in the most sustainable of ways. So why not give it a go?

The post How To Make a Rustic Trellis Out of Branches appeared first on Rural Sprout.

When it comes to making gardening a little easier, having the right tools for the job can make all the difference in the world. But what are the best gardening tools?

You know, the ones you reach for time and again that make every trip out to the garden with you.

Sometimes the best tool is as simple as repurposing something you already own. Or it’s taking a chance on that one hand tool you’ve seen in a seed catalog year after year, and after using it, you wonder how you’ve been gardening this long without it. (Those are my favorite.)

In its most simplistic form, gardening is nothing more than putting a seed in the ground and watching it grow. Yet if you’ve ever attempted a garden, you know there is nothing simple about it. Bad weather, pests, plant diseases, soil deficiencies, and busy schedules all come together to create the challenge that is the average growing season.

Having tools to help you navigate each of these issues will go a long way to a successful harvest.

Often, when you find these types of lists on the internet, they’re filled with silly gadgets meant to pad someone’s Amazon affiliate earnings. And much like kitchen gadgets, many of these tools end up being a huge waste of money.

That’s not the case here.

We’ve put together a curated list of the best gardening tools that will make your time in the dirt more efficient, productive and hopefully, more enjoyable.

And, while yes, some of them are linked to Amazon, you don’t have to buy them there. It’s helpful to see the product and read the reviews before purchasing it locally.

You may look over this list and find tools that you’ve passed over in many a garden center for years.

Often, we overlook the simplest tools but then find ourselves pleasantly surprised at how much they improve our gardening experience when we finally pick them up. I hope that even the seasoned gardener will find something here to help your growing season go smoothly.

1. The Right Gloves

I know this one seems painfully obvious, but hear me out.

I’m a big advocate for getting your hands in the dirt. As a society, we’ve become obsessively clean. Putting your hands in the earth exposes you to all kinds of microbes and organisms. Not only is it a boon for your immune system, but it’s also a great way to feel more connected with the task at hand – playing in the dirt.

All that being said, some jobs require a good pair of gardening gloves, weeding for instance. For many, choosing gloves is more of an afterthought.

How many of us have absent-mindedly grabbed a pair of gloves off the rack without any thought about what we will use them for?

I know I’m guilty of this.

Put some thought into this seemingly unimportant tool before you head out to the store. Ask yourself a few important questions:

• Will I be using gloves all the time in the garden, or will I go barehanded for much of it?
• Will I be doing any pruning of thorny or prickly weeds or plants?
• Do my gloves need to be waterproof?
• Do I want a pair of gloves that will last me a decade or a season?
• Do I need a couple of pairs of gloves for different tasks?

Now you can make an informed purchase when confronted with a rack of them at the garden center.

Cheryl did a great write-up of gardening gloves for women that you may find helpful too.

The Best Gardening Gloves For Women – I Tested 5 Of The Most Popular

2. A 5-Gallon Bucket or Two

Yup, a plain old five-gallon bucket is one of the best gardening tools going. You probably already have one hanging around that you can put to good use. A five-gallon bucket is a gardener’s best friend.

Use a 5-gallon bucket to:

• store all of your hand tools and gloves.
• flip over and use it as a stool while you’re weeding.
• use your bucket to transport weeds to the compost pile or produce to the house.
• fill the bucket with water and use a cup to water the base of plants, right where they need it.
• grow potatoes in your bucket or other fruits & veggies.

Related Reading: Grow Food In 5 Gallon Buckets – 15 Fruits & Veggies That Thrive

3. Kneeling Pad or Knee Pads

I resisted having a dedicated tool to kneel on for the longest time when I was gardening. It was always one of those things I told myself I would need when I was older, and using some sort of padding for my knees was like admitting defeat.

Which is silly.

As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

So often, we gardeners are guilty of putting our bodies through the wringer without any thought of preventing injury. I mean, it’s just gardening; after all, it’s not like it’s a full-contact sport.

But it’s still hard, physical labor, and you can injure yourself, making the rest of the growing season a misery. Taking the time to care for how we treat our bodies each time we garden will help ensure a long future of playing in the dirt.

You can use any number of things to protect your knees while you’re kneeling in the garden:

• A kneeling pad
• Gardening knee pads
• An old throw pillow that’s gone flat
• A folded yoga or exercise mat.

4. Heated Seed Mat

For the gardener who prefers to start their seedlings rather than buy them from a nursery, germination can be a toss of the dice. Will it sprout, or won’t it?

And if you live in a cool climate, even starting seeds indoors may not give you the temperatures needed to ensure successful germination.

There are plenty of seeds that require warmer soil temperatures and take a couple of weeks to germinate. Peppers are a good example. If you find that a couple of weeks have passed and nothing has germinated, you may have to start all over again, only now you’re that much closer to the growing season.

Enter the heated seed mat.

Seed mats are an electric heating pad you set under your seed tray that delivers just the right amount of heat to warm your newly-planted seeds, ensuring germination success. These brilliant little mats are usually the same size as most common seed starting trays, so they sit snuggly underneath them.

Once your seeds have germinated, you can roll them up and stash them away for next year.

A heated seed mat can be a real game-changer for anyone starting seeds at home. They’re relatively inexpensive, around $30 each and give your home nursery a professional boost to start the season.

If you’ve been on the fence about whether they’re worth the fuss – yes, they are.

5. A Garden Planner

I know very few seasoned gardeners who don’t keep a garden journal or yearly garden planner. During the growing season, it’s easy to remember which plants did well, what pests you struggled with and which side of the garden you planted the beans on.

But trying to remember all of those things when you’re planning your garden the following spring can prove to be a daunting task.

A garden planner doesn’t have to be fancy; even a simple blank journal will do. However, if you like to keep things organized and searchable in the future, you may want to consider picking a planner designed specifically for gardening.

Lucky for you, I did a write-up on some popular garden planners, which will help simplify choosing the best one for you.

Need A Garden Planner? I Tested 5 Of The Most Popular

6. Sun Hat

Look, I’m just going to say this once. If you’re going to garden, you have to look the part, which means wearing a sun hat. Generally speaking, the floppier and bigger, the better. Trust me on this; it has nothing to do with protecting your skin and eyes from damaging UV rays.

Nope, this is a dress code.

I mean, sure, wearing a hat can make seeing into that tangle of tomatoes much easier when the sky is blazing overhead. And wearing a decently sized hat can protect the back of your neck from getting sunburn. A proper sun hat can even protect you from a bit of rain as you make a mad dash back into the house.

There are plenty of practical and healthful reasons to wear a sturdy, wide-brimmed sun hat when gardening, but none of them matter. If you want to be a part of the club, you gotta wear a hat. Bonus points if it’s old and looks like someone sat on it.

P.S. Owning a proper sun hat means you’ll never be without a Halloween costume.

7. Hori Hori Knife

This is one of those tools that I scoffed at for ages. It was for “fancy” gardeners, and I was quite content with my trusty spade and my old hoe. Not to mention it looked a little intimidating, more like something you would use hunting rather than in the garden.

But then I was gifted one by someone who was clearly wiser than me, and said they used theirs all the time.

Despite myself, I kept reaching for this one tool repeatedly while I was working.

It’s the perfect shape for digging, so it made short work of making holes for my transplants. And because it is, after all, a knife, I could easily cut the twine from around the hay we bought for mulching. The tip of a Hori Hori knife makes the perfect little rows to plant seeds in too.

A good Hori Hori knife can replace a multitude of other hand tools in the garden and, if you keep it sharp, can even handle tougher pruning jobs.  

Plus, there’s the added benefit that anyone will think twice about attacking you while you’re gardening.

8. Coated Seeds or Seed Tape

If you’ve ever tried to plant lettuce or carrots out in the fresh dark earth, then you know how trying it can be to see where that tiny carrot seed ended up or if you managed to plant one lettuce seed or six in that hole.

Coated or pelleted seeds or seed tape are the answer.

This brilliant invention has saved many a gardener the headache of dealing with teensy seeds.

Individual seeds are coated in an inert material that dissolves in the soil as the seed germinates, making it easier to see and handle carrot, lettuce and other small seeds. Some seed companies may even inoculate the material used to coat the seeds with fertilizer or even mycorrhizae to give seeds an extra boost.

Seed tape is exactly what it sounds like and is even easier to use than pelleted seeds.

Seeds are spaced evenly between two pieces of a thin paper “tape” and sealed together. To plant the seeds, cut or tear off the length of seed tape equal to your row and plant the seed tape at the correct depth. As the plants germinate, the tape holding the seeds in place dissolves.

This season give coated seeds or seed tape a try. They’re one of the best gardening tools out there to save your eyes and your sanity.

9. Watering Wand

Sure, you can water with a watering can, a bucket, or even straight from the hose, but a watering wand combines all of the best features of those methods into one simple tool.

I know it doesn’t seem like the sort of tool that would make a big difference, but it’s that simplicity that makes a watering wand so brilliant.

If you still have delicate seeds waiting to germinate outside, the last thing you want to do is blast them with the heavy spray of a hose, and even the sprinkle of a watering can will wash seeds away. But a watering wand with a fine mist setting is the perfect tool to keep newly planted seeds moist without washing them away or impacting the soil.

When it comes time to water your hanging baskets or buckets, having a watering wand means no more lifting awkward and heavy watering cans over your head. And the extra length afforded by a watering wand also makes watering at the base of plants in the middle of a raised bed easier.

10. A Dedicated Garden Cart

You may already have a wheelbarrow, so getting some sort of cart for the garden may seem superfluous. But let’s face it, that wheelbarrow can’t help you out in the garden if it’s loaded with firewood or new stone for the driveway whenever you need it.

Having some sort of dedicated cart just for the garden makes a lot of sense.

A garden cart is great for hauling large piles of weeds to the compost pile; it’s great for moving heavy bags of soil, compost or potting mix. And that bumper crop of pumpkins isn’t going to haul itself up to the porch.

If your garden is further away from the house, a garden cart is one of the best gardening tools you can own. It means one trip out to the garden and one trip back up to the house when you’re done. You can haul everything you need in one trip.

Plus, it’s a great way to keep all of your gardening tools organized and in one spot when you aren’t out playing in the dirt.

11. Soil Test Kit

When it comes to fertilizing, you’ve probably read over and over again the importance of testing your soil. But how often have you actually done it? Make it a point to pick up a couple of soil test kits every year. They’re inexpensive, around $15 each, and provide you with a wealth of information. 

How else can you know if your soil is deficient in certain nutrients if you don’t test it? Without a clear idea of the makeup of your soil, all of your efforts to fertilize are just guessing.

If you grow a garden every year, especially using premixed soils, you have to amend your soil. Frequently you need to add nutrients to the soil throughout the growing season. Set yourself up for success by testing your soil at the beginning and end of the growing season.

Testing your soil can save you time, money and aggravation in the long run. 

12. Your local County Cooperative Extension Office

I’m always amazed that more gardeners don’t take full advantage of this free resource. It’s positively brilliant, and you won’t find better local information on gardening right where you live.

Many folks don’t realize this goldmine of free information exists, so you might be wondering what a cooperative extension is.

Back in the early 1900s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partnered up with universities all across the United States with the sole purpose of creating a nationwide network of agriculture experts to help out local farmers. Over the years, this resource grew to include home gardeners as well as large farms.

You have free access to the knowledge of agricultural experts in major universities in your state simply by visiting or contacting your local county cooperative extension office. If you live nearby your county office, you can visit in person or call or email them for help.

When it comes to finding answers to some of your toughest gardening questions, you really can’t beat your local cooperative extension.

They’re often the first to know when specific annual pests arrive in your area. They are the watchdogs for diseases like blight that can spread through an area.

Your local cooperative extension is the best place for information on native species of plants and pollinators to your area, making them an excellent resource when planning a pollinator garden.

And if you’re having trouble identifying the specific cause of illness in a plant, you can take in a sample for them to analyze.

The county cooperative extension also offers many year-round free or inexpensive courses on topics ranging from starting your first garden to home-canning safety.

Put this amazing resource to work for you!

With a garden shed stocked with the best gardening tools for the job, you’re sure to grow successful gardens for years to come.

More Garden Tools Articles On Rural Sprout

6 Apps Every Gardener Needs To Install

30 Essential Hand Tools That Every Homestead Needs

12 Tools Every Tomato Grower Needs

The Only Pair Of Garden Pruners You’ll Ever Need

The post 12 Best Gardening Tools That Most Gardeners Overlook appeared first on Rural Sprout.

There’s an app for that.

Yeah, it seems like there’s an app for everything these days. And those of us with green thumbs aren’t being left out. There are quite a few apps aimed at plant lovers, whether it’s a garden journal app or an app for identifying that mysterious plant that’s growing in the middle of your herb garden.

According to an article by the Pew Research Center in June of 2019, 81% of Americans owned a smartphone. (June 2019, Pew Research Center) And according to a study released in 2017, nearly 77% of all U.S. households participated in some form of gardening. (April 2018, Globe News Wire) With those kinds of numbers, it’s pretty safe to assume that most gardeners also own a smartphone.

Why not put your smartphone to work with a helpful gardening app?

But which one?

I downloaded the six best-rated and most downloaded apps and tried them all to help you choose the best one. To be reviewed, the app had to be available on both iOS and Android. Some were also available as a web app and as a desktop version, those have been noted.

There were a lot of apps out there that looked great but were only available on one platform. You should check out the options specific to your phone too. (I have a list of suggestions at the end.)

At the end of this post, I’ll let you know which app was my top pick.

In no particular order…

Gardenize

Available on desktop

Features

• Gardenize is an excellent app for folks who are interested in just their garden and don’t want to have to search through an extensive catalog of plants. You build your own plant library with pictures from your garden, adding notes throughout the season.
• One great feature is the ability to connect plants with different areas where you garden. For instance, what did you plant in “Flower Bed by Shed” or “6×4 plot”? You’ll never forget what you planted where again.  
• The app includes lots of great articles on gardening. You can search and save topics based on your needs. Are you looking for an article on tomato pests? Search for it in the Inspiration feed and save it to read later.

Picture This

Features

• Picture This claims to be a “Botanist in your Pocket” (PictureThisAI.com). And the app lives up to the claim.
• While the app is a paid app, the premium features are pretty sweet – unlimited plant ID’s, 1-on-1 consults with gardening experts, weed IDing with suggestions for mitigation, a step by step care guide for plants based on photo IDs to name a few.
• This is a great app when you have a sick plant. You can take pictures of the plant and get it diagnosed based on the images.
• The explore tab allows you to see what other people near you are growing or identifying.
• Picture This has excellent care guides filled with useful information. You can add plants to your Plant Care tab and set watering and fertilizing reminders. You can even name your plants, like “lavender, southern side of the house” or, in my case, “Pam the Palm Tree.”
• Plant identification happens via image matching. Simply take a photo of your plant, and it uses other pictures in its database to make a match. The website boasts 95% accuracy.
• There is a fun community feature that allows you to like and comment on photos shared by others in the community.

Of note

The app says you can ‘try it out’ for free. You get a 7-day free trial, after which, the premium version is $19.99 a year. I think that’s a bit on the pricey side for a phone app, but depending on how often you use the app, it may be worth it for you.

Moon & Garden

Features

• This gardening app is based on the biodynamic gardening approach, which was created by Rudolf Steiner. The practice relies heavily on the notion that the moon influences all aspects of gardening from when you should plant to when you should harvest, even when you should mow.
• The app has an active community forum that allows you to connect with others who practice biodynamic gardening. The forum does seem to be engaged with new posts daily.
• The calendar provides detailed daily gardening advice based on the lunar calendar. It also provides you with a local weather forecast tab. The calendar is the best part of this app.
• Moon & Garden allows you to keep detailed notes and photos of your garden so you can track your successes and failures through the growing season.
• The premium version is only .99 and gets rid of ads as well as unlocks a few premium features like unlimited picture space.

Of note

The app had several bugs at the time I used it, including one which would not allow you to purchase the premium version and one where some pages were in a different language. These issues had been noted in a few of the reviews. I really wanted to like this app, but between the bugs and the overly simplistic features, it was a no-go for me.

From Seed to Spoon

Available as a Web App

Features

• This app was started by a couple who got interested in growing their food. They now grow food for their family of 6 in their back yard in Oklahoma City.
• The app uses your GPS location to give you planting dates, which helps you make sure you’re getting seeds and plants in the ground on time. It also takes into account your local frost dates, again using your location.
• Several apps have an area dedicated to pests, but From Seed to Spoon also has a tab for beneficial insects. This kind of information can be incredibly helpful to your overall yield, as some beneficial insects will get rid of pests.
• The app has detailed growing-guides for numerous vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
• What sets this app apart from other apps is the connection between growing your food and healthy eating. You can filter the plants by their known health benefits to plan a garden tailored to your health needs.
• The app has a dark mode; I’m all about apps with dark mode.
• You can access videos from the app filled with helpful gardening advice.
• There are recipes too, which helps if you’re new to growing vegetables and have no idea what to do with all of those tomatoes you planted.

Of note

They have a premium service, which is free for now but will be a paid plan in the future. The Garden + feature includes things like plant tracking, seed sprouting estimates, a garden log, the ability to archive past gardens, and more. At the time of this writing, no price was available for this feature and no timeline for when it will no longer be free.

This app does not have a plant identification feature.

PlantNet

Available as a Web App

Features

• Touted as a ‘citizen science project,’ Pl@ntNet is all about getting the average person involved in plant biodiversity. As we lose plants around the world, this is increasingly important. The app is part of the Floris’Tic project, which hopes to close the gap between plant sciences and the general public.
• By using the app to identify plants, you are essentially helping to create a catalog of plants around the world.
• While this app is primarily for plant identification, it can be a helpful tool for gardeners as one of the flora categories is weeds. This is a fantastic app for foragers as well.

Of note

The app doesn’t offer much in the way of gardening advice or tracking. However, it’s still a great app to use. Biodiversity is vital to us all, especially those of us growing food.

Garden Answers

Features

• The Garden Answers is a snappy little cell phone application that identifies plants almost immediately. You take a photo of the plant using your camera, and the app then compares the picture to similar photos until it finds a match.
• The app offers both the botanical and common names of plants, which can be important when you are foraging beyond your garden walls.
• You get in-depth care information for the plants you identify. The plant identification page has a link to the Wikipedia entry for that species.
• While the app is free, you can get the premium version for $3.99 a year. The only difference is that premium members do not receive marketing.
• For $1.99 per question, you can ask a horticulturist for help identifying a plant or for information concerning a disease or problem with a plant. Answers are received within 24 hours, and if they can’t help you, you get a credit towards your next plant ID.
• The app uses your GPS location to show you ID’d plants near you. This can be useful for foragers.

Of note

The app boasts a ‘community,’ but it’s just a link to a Facebook Group. If you’re looking for something in-app, this isn’t it.

Which one did I like best?

After tinkering with all of them, it was a tough call. However, I felt like From Seed to Spoon was the best over-all app for those who are looking to grow their food. The platform is nice, and the app contains a wealth of knowledge and provides you with numerous handy tools to track your garden growing endeavors.

Try out these apps from the Apple Store

• Vegetable Tree
• Garden Compass
• Gardenia

Try out these apps from Google Play

• Sowing Calendar
• Gardroid
• Garden Manager

The post 6 Apps Every Gardener Needs To Install appeared first on Rural Sprout.