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| amazon |
1. A programmable timer that transforms your hose and sprinkler into a ~sprinkler system~: you just press a few buttons to tell it when to water, how long to water, and how often to repeat.
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| amazon |
Some reviewers mention it causes water hammer, and to fix that by attaching a water hammer arrester; although I'm not a plumber so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Promising review: "After trying other brands, this Orbit water timer is the best in my book! Along with a clock, it has many programable functions, and includes detailed, easy-to-follow instructions. It also has a manual override capability, all connections can be made without tools, and it takes standard AA batteries. My last one lasted 3 years — and it worked flawlessly, without any leaks in every season. I only replaced it because of my own negligence. Because it's plastic, it has to be taken inside before the first winter "freeze", or any water inside will turn to ice and expand the plastic. This damages the case and seals, rendering it useless. I totally forgot about the timer this year and suffered the consequences." —RWHPI
Price: $24.88+, depending on how many hose outlets you need.
2. A quick-to-install drip kit that'll let you kick back, chill out and just enjoy your garden instead of watering all the freaking time.
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| amazon |
It connects directly to your outdoor faucet — or to your programmable timer, if you have one.
Promising review: "This is a great starter kit! You can add on to it later too. Having a drip system is the only way I can manage my garden because you can ensure that each plant gets the water it needs, you can water all of them at once, and you don't need any great skill to install it. The tubing's easier to manage when it's warm. Consider letting it sit in the sun for 15 minutes before you get started installing it. And gardening gloves will help you grip the tubing better. This isn't really what you need if you are trying to water rows of crops, like carrots or beets, where you have a plant every several inches." —Sarah
Price: $37.09, available with brown or black tubing.
3. Or a soaker hose you can run through your beds and along your rows of veggies to keep them hydrated all season long.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "I installed this around my fruit trees and hooked it to a hose timer so when we go on vacation they will get their daily watering. It has a nice steady drip and so far the fruit trees are thriving. We live in the desert SW and when it's over 100 daily they need a good soak. I buried the hose just under the surface and mulched with rock to keep it shaded so that it will last longer. So far it is working great!" —b4dawn
Price: $8.99-$20.89, depending on the length you need (25-, 50-, or 75-foot available).
4. A chemical-free miracle weeder that doesn't require bending down to pull up those rogue dandelions sprouting between your rows of squash.
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| amazon |
Unless you want to harvest and eat the dandelion greens, I guess. Or like getting your hands dirty, which is totally acceptable.
Promising reviews: "I am now God of Weeds. This thing is stinking incredible. It should come standard when you get a house. My yard was full of weeds from the last owner, and I filled two buckets full of weeds with this thing in 20 minutes. —Carolyn P
Friendly advice: wait for the rain! When there's water on the ground from the day before, the claw will go into the earth like butter. THEN, it's a pleasure to weed out the yard and look at it! You have to remember, you're jamming these claws into the earth, which if it's not moist or wet enough, is going to push back on the claws and eventually either bend or break them." —Ricky Mattos
Price: $39.15
5. A raised, irrigated porch garden that you can guarantee veggies from whether you keep it on your home's patio or set it out on your apartment's balcony.
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| amazon |
Promising reviews: "I live in a condo and thought I was doomed to have a small, lame garden, but I was wrong! I bought the first one of these for flowers, but after seeing how well they did, I bought a second to grow vegetables. The soil stays moist even in the summer without having to water every day, which is convenient for me since my balcony isn't plumbed for a garden hose. I love it and will buy another for spring planting!" —AH
Price: $114.99
6. Sleek slate row labels that will proudly proclaim which plant in your garden is which.
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| amazon |
They come with solid metal stakes that are just as durable as the slate. Write on it with an oil-based paint marker ($5.07) — and if you want to reuse them next year, but for different plants, you could probably remove the paint marker with some rubbing alcohol.
Promising review: "These stakes are truly beautiful, and very well made. It seems like they might be made in Germany. Immediately when you open them you see that they're crafted with care. The stakes are very sturdy. They are absolutely beautiful and worth it. My roses look distinguished now!" —Sun Waker
Price: $29.95 for a set of 10.
7. Or copper ones that'll stand out elegantly, no matter how you decide to label them.
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| amazon |
One reviewer stamped and weathered them, another used a label maker, while still another printed on window decals. Or you can do the easy thing and use a paint marker, like the reviewer below.
Promising review: "LOVE these copper plant labels. they were VERY easy to use, label and look very attractive. I used a black fine-tip paint marker to write on them, and just had to let the ink dry for a minute or two, so that it wouldn't smudge, then it was PERFECT! The copper label's curled around the post, so you don't have to attach it., and is very sturdy. The whole post measures 10" tall. They ARE real copper, so be warned, if you get your finger prints on them, your finger prints WILL corrode the metal and will show! After you get them printed, it might be a good idea to put some clear coat over it to seal it in and protect it from your own finger prints later." —Jeanine S
Price: $19.95 for 25.
8. A silvery baby elephant watering pail who will cheerily help you keep your container garden in tip-top shape.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "This Elephant watering can is so unique! It was much bigger than I imagined it to be for the price. The plastic itself is nothing amazing, and the mold has a few marks and imperfections on it, but that does not stop it from being an awesome watering can!" —Christine M. Chenique
Price: $8.32; available in silver/grey and red.
9. But if you don't like refilling a pail over and over, a handy nozzle for your hose with eight different settings that can gently shower your plants and blast dirt off your car's wheels.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "All hose nozzles should be made like this. The settings are easily changeable and a wide variety dependent of your needs, be it soft watering of your plants to jetting gunk off your tires. This is perfect, on, off, or anywhere in between. You don't have to hold the trigger, just set it and use it. No more sore hands from trying to grip it for lengths of time. The material seems very sturdy and is easy to hang on to. You won't regret this purchase. I plan on giving some as gifts." —slunder
Price: $11
10. Or a 24-inch-long brass ~watering lance~ that makes it easy to reach deep into rows of fully-grown plants.
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| amazon |
It was originally designed for city parks and nurseries, but now of course you can get it for your own garden.
Promising review: "Quality. This product will last a lifetime, unlike the plastic models that I have been purchasing every other year for $25-$35. When you get it you can feel the superior quality of the metal used to make it. The price point is high but as I had stated, this watering lance is very good & should last you a lifetime. So, if you are a gardener, forget the cheap stuff and get yourself something nice." —dr
Price: $69.29
11. A no-batteries-required meter that'll report on your soil's moisture and pH levels, plus the intensity of the light, so you can easily adjust everything as needed.
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| amazon |
Of course, you'll probably be able to tell when it's "wet", but sometimes its hard to know if the soil beneath the top layer's actually moist or completely dried out.
Promising reviews: "Works great! I always know when to water my plants and when to leave them alone, I can't imagine gardening without it." —Ashley DiBlasi
"It’s a great value and really convenient to use. I bought it because it’s nice to get all of the readings from one device and not have to use my phone to measure illumination like before. The build quality is good, better than I was expecting, and the time it takes to calculate the measurements are quick – much faster than the 10 minutes the instructions suggest. Very happy with my purchase and would buy it again!" —JVR756
Price: $11.89
12. Cast-iron edging that'll always look nice, even if your plants aren't doing exactly what you wish they would.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "These fence panels are the best that I have ever found. My wife and I have been gardening for over 40 years and certainly appreciate a great product. They look great, and protect the flowers and plants we have around my borders." —Edward Mattingly
Price: $49.99
13. A minimalist gardening knife that can tackle almost any task you set it to, whether you're weeding, digging, pruning, measuring, or harvesting.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "Although the blade is no where near razor sharp it does extremely well at sliding into stubborn root systems. You can then pop the weed right out of the ground, scooping it up by the root system. The serrated side of the blade's great for cutting away thicker wood roots. This knife also does a decent job at chopping up old dead plants pulled from pots left out all winter long. I chopped up 14 dead house plants root system and all, then threw the pieces into my compost pile. I feel that this knife has been abused far more than any other knife I own, but the metal and wood work hold up well." —Chastin L
Price: $26.95 , which includes the knife, sheath, and a sharpening tool.
14. A pair of socks perfect for a leisurely Saturday afternoon spent tending all your favorite green and growing things.
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| amazon |
Promising reviews: "Ankle socks are just as pictured and cute as ever! Perfect statement for a passionate gal of gardening!" —Joey B
"I got these socks for my dad for Father's Day. He loves plants and I thought he would like these socks. I was wrong...he loves theses socks!!" —Rebecca Hunnicutt
Price: $10.99
15. A pair of mini pruners that'll make quick and precise work of snipping off deadheads, so your flowering bushes and vines bloom and bloom and bloom.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "These pruners are a fantastic value for the price. I have a pretty extensive terrace garden, and these pruners are perfect for everything from deadheading faded flowers to snipping stems and overeager morning glory vines. The pruners hold up very well, and they have a surprising degree of cutting power given their relatively small size. After two growing seasons of heavy use, they're functioning as well as they did the first time I used them. The edges have retained their sharp, hard quality." —JKI
Price: $4.22 for the non-coated blades, or $13.97 for the non-stick blades.
16. Or a pair of ergonomic heavier-duty pruners that might actually last you for years, no matter how often you use them.
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| amazon |
As long as you clean and take care of them, but that's not too hard. And if they do eventually break, you can actually order new parts for them.
Promising review: "I was tired of running through at least one pair of cheap pruners every year, so I decided to upgrade. The price made me hesitate, but the reviews convinced me. Right out of the box, I was in love with these pruners! So sharp! So comfortable in my hand! With these, I pruned for hours without getting tired. Well, it's now 10 years later and I still love my Felco pruners. We live on 5 wooded acres and it feels as though I'm constantly beating back "the jungle." Loppers are heavy and quickly tire me out, so I use my them for everything that can fit inside the cutting mechanism. I've never sharpened them. I've never really cleaned them, other than a quick swipe with a rag. I left them out in the rain once, but some steel wool and oil restored the spring. The blade has a few small dings as a result of my tendency to tackle over-sized woody branches. I appreciate that I can easily get a replacement spring and a new blade. After 10 years of heavy use and not a little neglect, my pruners deserve some sprucing up, which is what brought me to shop Felco items today." —J Williamson
Price: $44.98 for the regular size. If you have smaller hands, you can get similar ones that'll be more comfortable for $45.38.
17. Breathable gloves that'll protect your hands *without* making you s-w-e-a-t more in the summer heat, because they're made from breathable bamboo.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "Snug fit, very dextrous. I feel very protected from wet soil and yard debris (probably not thorns—haven't pushed it). I really love these gloves for gardening and even for light construction, like sanding wood. Grip's really good and helps me get my hands dirty when I don't really feel like it. No need for a nail brush after gardening with these gloves." —Delayed Gratification
Price: $7.97. (Available in sizes small-XXL; many reviewers report that the gloves run small, so you may want to order a size or two up).
18. A padded kneeler that flips upside-down into a sturdy seat so you can get down and dirty with your favorite plants despite any back or knee pain.
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| amazon |
It's not pictured, but it also comes with two fabric tool holders that attach to each end. And the legs fold in for storage!
Promising review: "I really like this kneeler/seat. It opens and closes quickly, the side pocket for tools is attached with Velcro, so it can easily be moved and/or used on a lawn chair, etc. It should be noted that the pockets are long and fairly narrow, so not all tools will fit, but I find it works well with my clippers, weed puller, and skinny spade." —Jacq
Price: $39.99
19. Or a simple memory foam kneeling pad if you'd rather just tote around something smaller.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "Perfect! Much better than the cheap sponge pads sold in stores everywhere. Well worth it to save your knees!" —XAGSX
Price: $31.05 for the purple, $35.98 for the red, or $34.99 for a light blue.
20. A wood potting bench that'll keep all of your favorite tools and potting supplies handy so it's never a hassle to repot a plant that needs it.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "I purchased this to actually use as potting bench. It came promptly and in good condition. Assembly went quickly, it took my husband and I about an hour. I did put a tinted water sealant on it since it would be stored outdoors all year (in California). I also added wheels so I can move it in and out of the sun and shade, depending on the time of year; stapled chicken wire to the back of the top so I can clip and hang things; and added cup hooks to the left side to hang a storage basket. It's been one year now and the potting bench still looks good and serves multiple purposes. When I hosted a bridal shower I moved the potting bench to the back yard and used the sink portion for ice and used it as the bar. Was perfect!!" —Amazon Customer
Price: $72.99.
21. A handy storage apron that'll keep all your tools (and your phone) out of the way but still close at hand, as you tend row after row of your perfect lettuce crop.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "Good quality and sturdy and especially pleased with the comfort and fit. I'm 5'3" female and when apron is full of tools the weight is nicely distributed so that you don't feel a lot of weight on your shoulders." —K. M.
Price: $13.99
22. A bamboo house that'll attract gentle mason bees, who will happily pollinate all of your plants.
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| amazon |
Learn more about mason bees and their houses from The Honeybee Conservancy.
Promising review: "Bees love it! The one near the garden had eggs laid in two of the tubes the first year. And this winter it is half filled. Since Mason bees prefer a particular diameter, they are not going to use all the tubes. I'm buying two more to put near the garden so there will always be room for any bees looking for a nesting tube. To make sure the bees in my area have something to eat all summer long, I planted a small plot of red clover. That may explain the higher occupancy rate this last winter. I have mine under a small overhang against my shed wall and facing south. So far, it's holding up well; I think I've had it two or three years." —Carole
Price: $32.99
23. Supportive, waterproof gardening clogs that you can easily slip on whenever you want to wander or work in your garden.
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| amazon |
They'll also rinse off easily when they inevitably get muddy or dirty.
Promising review: "I absolutely love these gardening clogs! They are very well made, comfortable, sturdy, and they look great! They fit exactly as expected and are perfect to slip on and off when I want to walk up to my garden." —Rachel A.
Price: $23.98+; available sizes 6-10 in 20 different colors and patterns.
24. A wall gardening system for growing your own outdoor green wall art.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "Where have these been all my life?! I have always grown herbs and had a garden the traditional way (in pots or in a garden bed). I love these because my husband and I travel a lot, so we're able to hook these babies up to a water source and timer...and voila!!!! Plants are stayin' alive! I bought 3 panels, but am going to order more and do a whole wall of the house." —Yee Jensen
Price: $49.99 for an eight-pot section (there are three sections in the photo above).
25. Lightweight fabric grow bags perfect for moving plants around or just having a manageable container garden, especially in a small space.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "So far I think fabric grow bags is my favorite style of container gardening, compared to other styles like regular pots, 5-gallon buckets, or even container hydroponic. First, grow bags are pretty durable while being relatively cheap, so you don't have to shell out lots of money. I can't speak for much larger sizes, but 7 gallons and under has been a good experience for me. Second, drainage and aeration allows the plant roots to grow well and it seems to me to help reduce diseases. I now use 50/50 compost and potting mix (the kind with fine pine barks that drains well, not the water-retentive and acidic peat moss kind)." —Max Harry Johnson
Price: $13.95 for five seven-gallon bags, or $10.95 for five three-gallon bags.
26. A heavy-duty dump cart that'll cheerfully tote all your new flowers around, then help you move literal tons of rock (one load at a time), no problem.
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| amazon |
Promising review: "This is a work horse. My nephew was over to move rocks around the yard for me and I pulled this out for him. He laughed and said okay. He then used it for many heavy loads of river rock then said to me, "I thought this was some as-seen-on-tv mess but this thing is really great. And it's easier than a wheel barrow because it doesn't tip." I couldn't agree more. This is a great tool for the yard and I'm happy to be rid of my wheel barrow that would tip with a heavy load if I didn't wrestle it to keep from tipping." —Shiningstar
Price: $69.97
27. And...a gnomezilla sure to bring a smile to your face every time you encounter him.
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| amazon |
Promising reviews: "I am a fan of Godzilla. I am not a fan of gnomes. This little garden sculpture is a win/win for me! Gardenzilla is well made and expertly painted. I'm very pleased. Gnomes beware!" —Mahala Marshall Rood
"This is a great little addition to the garden! It's funny and cute and the kids in our community garden love it!" —Stu
Price: $24.99
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
Source : BuzzFeed / Natalie Brown
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