By Vanessa Richins

Are you searching for the perfect gift for your favorite urban gardener?

Here are some ideas that I think may work well.

Matchstick Garden

Would you like to get your children involved in gardening? Try the Matchstick Garden! Each one holds 10 matchsticks, with seeds embedded in the tips. Simply take one out and plant it, tip down. It won’t be long before you have a whole little garden growing. There are four different kinds available : Mixed Herbs, Wildflowers, Italian Garden and Mixed Greens.

Nyokki Monkey

Do you think the Chia Pet is too old school? Upgrade and buy a Nyokki! Named after the Japanese word for “grow”, these cute little sculptures can be planted again and again with grass seed, which will grow as their hair. There are several designs available, including a frog and a monkey.

Consultation With an Urban Gardener

Do you live in New York or know someone who does? Buy them a Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

Whether your yard is large or small, you can experience the amazement and joy of a tree that has been shaped into unusual and wonderful new designs.

There are several different forms you can choose.

Bonsai

Bonsai trees can fit into any household. Did you know that these little trees are the same exact species that you would find outdoors? The Japanese have perfected this art of careful pruning and training over the course of many years. if you have the time and lots of patience, you can learn to create your own bonsai.

• A good general book : The Complate Book of Bonsai by Harry Tomlinson
• For the quirky fun side of bonsai : Pop Bonsai: Fun with Arranging Small Trees and Plants by Lisa Tajima

Topiary

Topiaries are trees and shrubs that have Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

There’s not much better in life than curling up with a good book….except for gardening of course!

Combine the two and it’s pure magic. Here are a few of my suggestions for books that can help urban gardeners.

Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholemew

This is a standard for small space gardening. Bartholemew presents his method for laying out your vegetable gardens in square foot increments. The results are a better producing garden with less effort. A win-win situation indeed! See our Urban Garden Casual book review.

Garden Wizardry for Kids by L. Patricia Kite
Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children by Sharon Lovejoy

These books both describe experiments and ideas Read the rest of this entry »

By Cindy Naas

1. A good sharp trowel

try a variety of handle shapes in order to find the perfect fit for your hand. More expensive does not mean better in a trowel, but a good stainless steel solid shaft is important. A trowel welded onto its handle is more likely to break in dry or compacted soil.

2. Secateurs, or hand pruners

I own Felco bypass pruners, and I could not garden without my secateurs. This is the one tool I am willing to spend a fair amount on. Mine are easy to use even for people who have weak hands, and I bought the optional leather hip holster so my secateurs are always handy whenever I am outside in my garden.

3. A shovel

My shovel is a square-bottom transplanting Read the rest of this entry »