Reviews

Reviews of gardening products of all kinds. If it’s used in the garden, we review it!


LaCrosse Alpha Muddy Mule Shoes: Product Review


If you’re looking for durable, comfortable, easy-to-clean gardening shoes, you’ll love LaCrosse Alpha Muddy Mule shoes. From the first wearing, the shoes help you comfortably complete gardening chores with no “breaking-in” needed. Your feet stay clean, as the stretchy nylon around the heel keeps muck out of the shoe—and your foot in it. The waterproof material prevents soggy socks. A perfect addition to your gardening wardrobe for hours of comfort. Continue Reading


WORX Hydroshot Portable Power Cleaner WG644: Product Review


For a portable, highly convenient power cleaner that requires no cords or a fixed water source, the Hydroshot™ offers a perfect alternative to typical units. Two 20-Volt Lithium Ion batteries power the unit, eliminating the need for cords or gas. It cleans well at high PSI, removing dirt and mold easily, while it also waters plants when using the two-speed trigger with a gentle squeeze. Easy assembly and smart functions make the Hydroshot™ an excellent Continue Reading


LaCrosse Women’s Alpha Lite Boots: Review


If you need durable, comfortable waterproof footwear, you’ll appreciate LaCrosse Women’s Alpha Lite Boots. The excellent design provides flexible material that accommodates wide calves. Tread prevents slipping on mud, while the boot’s material proves truly waterproof. Neoprene lining keeps feet toasty, even in freezing temperatures. However, the lightweight design makes the wearer forget that these are, in fact, work boots. Wear them comfortably all day while doing chores, and your feet will stay warm and Continue Reading


Melnor HydroLogic Four-Zone Electronic Water Timer (#73280): Product Review


This is the best solutions I’ve found for running four zones of above-ground or drip irrigation from a single faucet. The timer works reliably – mine has been running every month for a year with no problems. It’s relatively simple to set up, the large LED screen is easy to read and the programming doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out. Continue Reading


Corona 7-inch Folding Pruning Saw (RS 7245): Product Review


If you’re looking for a perfect pruning saw, you’ve found it with the Corona 7-inch Folding Pruning Saw. Extremely strong impulse hardened high carbon steel teeth make quick, clean cuts. The ergonomically designed handle and rubberized grip adds comfort without sacrificing dexterity, and the ability to fold the saw makes the tool highly practical for the user. The curved blade easily cuts high branches or those below waist, but it also works well at torso Continue Reading


Earthquake 1-Man Earth Auger Powerhead: Product Review


If you’re looking to make quick work of digging holes, the Earthquake 1-Man Earth Auger Powerhead offers an ideal solution. Even in heavy clay or rocky soil, the auger cuts through tough terrain, reducing the amount of time and effort needed to create multiple holes for fence posts or planting trees. The auger assembles quickly, and it starts easily without much effort. Its 37-lb. weight works with gravity to speed digging performance—but mobility can be Continue Reading


WOLF-Garten® Interlocken® Pole Pruning System: Product Review


The WOLF-Garten® Interlocken® pruning pole system is a combination of high-quality parts that fit seamlessly together, including a telescoping pole, pruning saw, and bypass lopper head. The saw and lopper can be individually snapped into place with the press of a button, letting you choose the right tool for the job without needing multiple poles (because who has space for that?!). Each cutting tool makes nice, clean cuts and the extendable pole is lightweight yet Continue Reading


Fiskars POWER TOOTH® Softgrip® Folding Saw (7″): Product Review


This folding saw has a unique undercut capability (basically, the blade “bends backward” at the handle) that makes it easier to use for those who are not comfortable with flipping a saw over to make the undercut. The push button design of the blade lock works extremely well for a right-handed person but it’s not easy for a lefty to use. It features a sharp POWER TOOTH® saw blade that makes good clean cuts and Continue Reading


Troy-Bilt Premium Folding Hand Saw (RE-K): Product Review


The Troy-Bilt Premium Folding Hand Saw makes very clean and fast cuts – some of the best that I’ve tested. However, the cutting teeth don’t extend the full length of the blade so the saw constantly gets hung up near the handle (unless you’re very careful to make shorter sawing motions which, realistically, isn’t going to happen). I also don’t like having to use an Allen wrench to adjust blade tension (rather than a standard Continue Reading


Corona Branch & Stem Bypass Pruner (BP 4180): Product Review


The Corona Branch & Stem bypass pruner is lightweight, durable, has nice tight tolerances and good fit and finish. The ergonomic handle design makes the tool comfortable to hold and the angled cutting head is terrific for getting into tight spots. The cutting blade is razor sharp and cleaves its way through extremely hard wood with ease, although the bumper could use some improvement. Plus, Corona offers replacement parts for everything except the handles. Put Continue Reading


A.M. Leonard Ergonomic Bypass Pruner (#1234): Product Review


If you’re in the market for a quality bypass hand pruner at a competitive price, then the A.M. Leonard Ergonomic Bypass Pruner (model #1234) is a definite contender. You’re not going to get the highest quality or features of the most expensive competitors, but what you will get is a pruner that if taken care of properly will likely last a lifetime. It makes excellent pruning cuts, is very comfortable to hold, and reaches into Continue Reading


Gardener’s Supply Folding Hand Saw: Product Review


If you’re looking for a great folding pruning saw, this is a definite contender. With its long-lasting, impulse hardened teeth and ability to cut in both directions, it makes quick work of cutting through even the hardest wood. The sticky rubberized handle gives you excellent grip, the locking mechanism works flawlessly, and the large adjustment screw makes it easy to adjust the handle/blade tension. Plus, it still fits securely into a hip pocket. What more Continue Reading


ARS Pocket Saw (SA-210DX): Product Review


Of all the saws I’ve reviewed, this is one of my favorites. I particularly like its shorter length, which makes it easy to slip into a pocket or backpack. Everything works exactly as it should and performs at the highest level, including the comfortable, non-slip handle design, the marquench hardened blade, swing lock blade locking mechanism, adjustable tension and aggressive cutting capability. If you do a lot of pruning, want a small compact saw and Continue Reading


Gardening with Emma: Grow and Have Fun: A Kid-to-Kid Guide, by Emma Biggs – Book Review


12-year old author Emma Biggs intended this book to be a “Kid-to-Kid Guide,” featuring fun photography, appealing illustrations and no-nonsense advice. But whether you are young or old, new to gardening or very experienced, you will learn from and enjoy the gardening journey Emma has created. She does an excellent job reminding all of us why we garden – for the fun of it. But perhaps the biggest gift Emma gives with this book is Continue Reading