Tech takes its place in the garden

I don’t have a green thumb. That’s something that I did not inherit from my parents, who were splendid gardeners.

Living in a townhouse, I have a wee small yard and it’s all I can do to trim the hedge and mow the lawn (with a manual mower), and keep it alive. But I’m surrounded by beautiful gardens and landscapes, and there are some gadgets and technology that can help the weekend gardener like myself, as well as those who are year-round, serious enthusiasts.

“The process of gardening/growing has become easier as new products have been developed to allow consumers to enjoy this activity with less time and effort,” said Beth Marshall, marketing manager for the Ohio-based A.M. Leonard’s Gardeners Edge, a horticultural tool company that dates back to 1885.

“When you look at the methods, container gardening seems to be big right now,” she said. “We sell something called the Earthbox ($65) that has made it extremely easy to grow fresh vegetables just about anywhere, a balcony, a small space on a deck.

“Watering has been made easier with products such as Terra-Sorb ($2) a super-absorbent, potassium-based co-polymer gel that conserves water by absorbing and storing excess (water) and slowly releasing it.” Another product, Wonder Soil ($9) is compressed, and “ready to use with the addition of water.”

Both “are lightweight and compact, allowing the consumer to be ready to plant with minimal space for storage and no heavy bags to lift,” Marshall said.

Another item that provides an efficient way of watering is the Solar Irrigation Kit ($75), which waters at the root zone, said Maree Gaetani, a certified Master Gardener and spokeswoman for Vermont-based Gardener’s Supply Co.

Using the sun, this self-contained irrigation system waters up to 20 plants at a time, at a rate of 24 gallons of water an hour.

Gaetani also said tools like self-watering planters, which start at $15, are extremely handy. With them, water is distributed from a reservoir, with refill areas in easy-to-access spots.

Gardeners Edge The Noodlehead Sprinkler head ($15) has a dozen flexible heads that bend to hit the spots you want.

Marshall also recommends OXO’s “Pour & Store” watering cans ($10 to $25). The spout rotates so you can turn it toward the can, making storage much easier.

Another nifty find: the Noodlehead Sprinkler ($15), which covers a 20-by-20-foot area, with a dozen flexible heads that bend to direct water right were you want it.

Gardening tools have also become more ergonomic, economic and efficient. For example, Remington Power Tools has a line of 18-volt battery-operated, cordless tools that are made to appeal to consumers looking for lightweight, easy-to-use products, said Alex Wrinkles, the company’s marketing communications manager.

I tried out the 22-inch cordless hedge trimmer ($95), which was effective trimming at multiple angles. At first, its dual-action cutting blades scared me, but the wrap handle and its shield made me feel safe. The trigger also comes with a safety lever.

The 18-volt battery needed to operate it can also be used on Remington’s other tools, such as blowers, string trimmers and polesaws. If I am going to have any power tools, I’m all for cordless.

Marshall’s must-have for any gardener is the company’s 6-inch Soil Knife ($22). “It digs, pries, cuts, and saws,” she said. “Great for weeding, planting flowers, dividing perennials, creating furrows for planting seeds, scraping out cracks in your drive, walk or patio, and more. “

Many gardeners also swear by the multi-purpose Hori-Hori knife ($25), which does the same things as the Soil Knife.

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