By Cindy Naas

With the arrival of January and a new year, it’s time to start planning for the coming summer!

It may not be necessary to map out every detail of your upcoming garden, but it certainly is an activity which will keep gardeners off the streets and out of trouble during the remainder of the long winter.

1. Order seed catalogs - I have a running list of seed companies whose products I’ve used before and have some new names added. January is the best time to send off for the catalogues. Spending a few hours poring over new varieties of veggies and fruits will inspire your imagination when everything outside is covered in snow.

2. Review your garden journal - I am a firm advocate of keeping a journal of everything planted in one’s garden. You can Read the rest of this entry »

By Cindy Naas

I love trading tips with other gardeners, discovering new plants to try or new varieties of veggies, and where to find the best products for my gardening.

I’m posting a list of my favorites, and I hope that our readers will provide tips in the comments.

I am always happy to discover a great new resource, and I hope you feel the same.

Simplexity: This company sells an algae supplement for people and pets, but they also sell the best 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 »