CAN YOU RECOMMEND a (fill in the blank), Margaret? It’s the most common question I am asked, with the blank usually being a tool for a specific job; a field guide (since I am well-known for being nuts for them); or of course a favorite plant or seed source. Welcome, then, to Margaret Recommends, a jumping-off point for some of my answers on all that.
my most-offered suggestions
AT THE RISK of repeating myself, the things I recommend over and again to other gardeners, and rely on in my own garden and home year after year, include:
- lightweight, efficient pruning tools
- my basic seed-starting gear, including lights
- my watering musts (best hose, rain gauge…and also my electronic weather station)
- my trustiest “cheap” tools (in price only, not quality)
- my bird-feeding basics
- favorite field guides, from a real field-guide freak
- my must-have kitchen gear
Disclosure: Some products on those pages go to Amazon affiliate links from which I earn a commission. Some are from friends I shop from myself who are also occasional website sponsors. Others just go to places I shop, period, with no business relationship involved.
Is there any thing/book/site you would recommend for starting over with my back yard. I started reading Nature’s Best Hope last night and with the wildfires, it came to mind that instead of redoing my back yard the way it was (restarting because my dogs have demolished it) that I should go towards a drought-tolerant, pollinator “theme”. I want to do this right from the start and would appreciate having some thing that helps me think through the hows/whats before I start.
I am limited in planting non-poisonous shrubs/plants since our labradane eats almost everything in sight. I will check with our extension office.
See if there’s a Gardening with Native Plants FB page for your area. There’s one in my area (Md) that is a treasure trove of info from gardeners who are dealing with the same climate/soil conditions, They share experiences and suggestions. Sometimes they also share cuttings and seeds.
Leaves, leaves. We have plenty. Mostly oaks, which don’t seem to break down as well as the maples. To shred, or not to shred. We can see plenty of users for shredded leaves. Minimal lawn, so no mulching mower. Should we invest in a mulching mower anyway? Or a shredder/chipper of some sort? Would love to add the leaves in shredded form to our compost piles. We really only rake the pathways to the house, but that in itself is considerable. What equipment do you recommend?
I bought the boots you recommended ! They are extra warm and my feet get extra cold. I like to garden in the winter and able to do this because live in the Pacific Northwest and always finding something to do and enjoy in my woodland garden. Thank you very much!
Hi Margaret,
A tool I did not see above is a long-handled weeder. I recently bought one and was amazed at how well it worked…easy to use, efficient, even fun. A little while back I asked (and you answered…thank you!) a question about using homemade weed killer and you recommended using only mechanical means. So I found a long-handled tool online called “Grandpa’s Weeder” and it had good reviews. However, I found what I thought was even better, a similar weeder by Fiskars but with the added advantage of a pusher to eject the weed. At my first weeding attempt with it I got probably 30 weeds removed in 10 minutes.
Best tool I’ve ever had. I hope you try it and share with your fans. Thanks for all you do!
I have successfully propagated by air-layering: make a scrape along the stem and then pack moist spaghnum moss around it and wrap it with plastic, taped in place. Roots form in several weeks, and then I cut below the roots and plant the rooted cutting. I’ve done this with rubber trees and scheffleras.
Dear Margaret, I’ve bought the boots and snips you recommend, and I love them both. Thanks for the good suggestions.
can you recommend your favorite sources for potatoes. I live in lakeville CT
I love Filaree Farm (garlic too, but potatoes in spring, all organic). High Mowing Seeds also sells organic starts in spring, too.
I made terrariums a long time ago and enjoyed it immensely. Thank you for the idea of giving these as gifts to my grandkids. I think the youngest ones would be captivated by the growing and blooming plants, and who wouldn’t welcome some wonderful semi jungle greenery in the dead of winter. Thank you for the podcast Margaret and I can’t wait to put my creativity to work.
I would like to know what you use to lug your tools around. And do you have a current boot to recommend, since the ones on your gift list are unavailable. they have been for some time.
Please send the link to buy the boots you recommend
The red ones were discontinued when my old pair faded. I switched to these.
The lightweight pruners are the best. THE best. I have a pair in front-yard tools and a backyard basket. love these.