Reviews of gardening products of all kinds. If it’s used in the garden, we review it!
Updated August 21, 2018 With so many options to choose from and little visible difference between garden hoses, it’s tempting to simply choose the cheapest one. But small differences can have a big impact on how long the hose lasts and how easy it is to use. A good garden hose should last 5 to […] Continue Reading
At only 18 inches long, the Fiskars PowerGear2 is a smaller version of its larger brethren. It can get into tight pruning spaces, makes clean cuts, stays sharp even after cutting deadwood, and is comfortable to hold. However, I was underwhelmed by its inability to cut 1 ½ inch diameter material as claimed and it would benefit from a bumper between the handles to absorb shock. Continue Reading
You may have to adjust the blade tension before using this ergonomically designed bypass pruner. Be aware that you’ll need a Torx or star drive screwdriver or key wrench to do that. Once adjusted, the pruner makes beautiful cuts in ¾ material – but not the 1 inch that it claims – is comfortable to hold, has tough German steel blades, and an integrated bumper that dampens shock. Continue Reading
Not only does the Corona BigLOAD Leaf Rake make raking faster, it’s more comfortable than any other rake I’ve tried. And I still felt good when I was done. By my count, they got everything right. The only improvement they could make is to send someone along with the rake to do the actual work for me. Continue Reading
Strong yet lightweight, tough and well balanced, the DeWit Small X-Treme Handfork allows you to easily tackle a wide variety of gardening chores. It’s perfect for those with smaller hands (there’s also a larger version available) and for working in clay and hard soil. With a lifetime guarantee, this tool is a great value. Continue Reading
This is a quality pruner that doesn't skimp on materials and workmanship. It's sturdy, comfortable and makes clean cuts in woody stems and branches. The few very minor drawbacks are a handle locking mechanism that could get in the way of the two handles closing, the fact that it only cuts through ¾ inch wood (rather than the 1 inch diameter claimed) and that it’s intended for woody stems only. Continue Reading
Miniature gardens and flower arranging are considered fine arts in Japan. That art has been admired by many of us in the United States so it’s wonderful to have a simple book with many clear illustrations to teach us how to create miniature moss gardens ourselves. Continue Reading
Of all the BAHCO pruners I’ve tested to date, the P126-22-F is my least favorite. The handles are slippery, the locking mechanism is problematic and the sharp tip protruding from the end is a safety hazard. This is not the type of product I have come to expect from a top quality manufacturer like BAHCO. Continue Reading
With wider, contoured and fully rubberized handles, as well as an integrated spring and bumper, this pruner has some nice improvements over the typical bypass pruner. However, those with smaller hands may find the handles too large and it won't readily cut more than 1/2-inch material. Overall, the FATMAX Hybrid Forged Bypass pruner is a good performer with a ½ inch diameter cutting capacity. Continue Reading
The Greenworks G-Max 40v cultivator has surprising power, very good quality construction and gives excellent results. It might be overkill for a very small garden where a garden fork would do the work. And it might be underpowered for a really big garden. But if you’re looking for a replacement for a gas-powered cultivator, this is definitely one to consider. Continue Reading
With the Convertible Pruner + Lopper, Corona tried to create a 2-in-1 tool that could take the place of both a pruner and a lopper. Unfortunately, it tries to be all things to all people and ends up not being particularly good at any one of them. Corona gave it a good shot, but missed the mark on this one. Continue Reading
If you’re ready to cut the cord on your electric trimmer or want to upgrade your underpowered 20V rechargeable hedge trimmer, get the Redback E522D. It’s priced right between the least and most expensive trimmers in its category, and this sturdy tool feels built to last for many seasons. It easily cut through everything I threw at it, is easy to maneuver, has good battery life and doesn’t feel any heavier than a corded model. Continue Reading
Strong yet lightweight, tough and well balanced, the uniquely-shaped Rock’n Root Trowel is ideal for many gardening chores, especially in tight spaces. With a lifetime guarantee, this tool is a great value for the price of only $20.00. Continue Reading
The BAHCO PX-L2 bypass pruner has quickly become one of my go-to pruning shears. The cutting blade is incredibly sharp, the ergonomic design causes less wrist and hand stress, and it easily cuts through ¾ inch branches and stems, even when pruning hard wood. Overall, this is a very high quality, professional grade bypass pruner. Continue Reading
The technology behind the pruner design is an honorable attempt at making something better. It just missed the mark. Instead of making pruning easier, it turned it into a struggle that required a lot of grip strength. Overall, the problems outweighed the positives. Continue Reading
