Helpful Garden Gadgets

Through the years, I’ve discovered several garden gadgets that make gardening easier and, in some ways, more fun. Try out some of these tools and see what you think.

A reciprocating saw, aka Sawzall, allows me to do my own pruning of trees and shrubs without having to rely on anyone with a chainsaw. Follow safety protocols and try not to over-prune just because you are enjoying yourself.

A hand truck or dolly provides freedom from needing muscle to move big containers or reposition garden art. Either push or pull it across the grass, whichever works best for you.

Do you have pesky rabbits (who doesn’t?) nibbling on emerging tulips or other plants in the spring? Purchase some wire cloches and position them over the new shoots. All the light, wind and rain get in, but not the rabbits. You could probably make your own by covering overturned tomato cages with chicken wire.

Every spring, I would get out the wheelbarrow only to find the tire flat. Not anymore. My husband, John, replaced it with a solid tire. Problem solved.

Have you ever tried to dig up and divide a perennial from an overcrowded bed? The choice becomes fitting a shovel in or fitting your feet. Unfortunately, you need both. I solve the problem by using a sharp small-bladed shovel with a full-length handle. It works perfectly in tight spaces.

I store my birdbath in a shed over winter. The paver it rests on under a spruce tree becomes unlevel every year. A bubble level comes in handy when repositioning the paver each spring. I also use it when moving out my steppingstones.

Last summer, I discovered kneepads, the individual pads with Velcro straps that fasten onto each knee. What a great time saver not having to move a rectangular pad along everywhere I go. It frees up both hands, and they come in fun neon colors.

Have you heard of sheep shearers? Made from one piece of bent metal with bypass blades that somehow seem to stay sharp. They work faster than pruners on soft green growth because of the longer blades. (Hint: Wear gloves to prevent a blister.)

I hope this gives you a few ideas on solving some gardening problems you may not even know you had.

See more: Don’t Be Too Quick to Judge Dandelions

Ask the Expert

Q. My yard looks like a war zone. Mounds of fresh, fluffy soil keep popping up everywhere. How do I eradicate moles?

A. First, what doesn’t work – poison of any kind. The moles won’t eat it. Why should they when they have juicy grubs and earthworms to feast on? Trapping works, but only with the correct trap set the right way. I suggest having your county’s wildlife control officer come and set the first traps. What you learn from them will educate you on what traps to buy and where to place them.

About the Author: Jan Phipps is a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener. She farms, gardens, writes and podcasts near Chrisman.

See more: Reflecting on a Garden Career, Brick by Brick