Clematis 'Pagoda' Garden fairies here. We are garden fairies and we are providing a garden update today. You know what it means when we take over this blog and provide an update, don't you? It means that there are things going on around here that Carol won't write about and so we garden fairies have to take it upon ourselves to interrupt our important parties, celebrations, festivals, jubilees, teas, and revelries to provide updates that otherwise would not see the light of day. We … [Read more...] about Garden Fairies provide a garden update
tools
My Old Red Wheelbarrow
My Wheelbarrow (2008) I like my old red wheelbarrow. I bought it back in 1987. Yes, 25 years ago this spring. I look at it now and can hardly believe that I've used the same wheelbarrow for 25 years. In all that time, it has served faithfully. It still has all its original parts except for a new tire that I bought 10 years ago, and maybe one or two new nuts on the bolts that hold the barrow to the handles. I've hauled rocks, plants, top soil, mulch, compost, pavers, garden refuse and more in … [Read more...] about My Old Red Wheelbarrow
Vintage gardening tools
Give me those old time gardening tools. Give me simplicity of design. Give me quality that lasts for decades. Give me the patina of age, of tools well used by past gardeners. My sister-in-law found these two old garden claws at an antique store and wonder of wonders, she thought of me when she saw them and thought I might like them. She's very smart that way. I do like them. I like to think of the digging they did, of the seed beds they prepared. I like to think about what kinds of … [Read more...] about Vintage gardening tools
Hoes, everywhere
I did a bit of traveling last week for work and found myself in a Cracker Barrel where much of the decor included old gardening tools. Hoes, shovels, rakes, grass trimmers, even an old wheelbarrow, were hanging on the walls and suspended from the ceiling. I took some pictures with my iPhone, most of which didn't turn out because of the lighting, but you can just imagine how surreal exciting it was to find myself in such a place. My traveling companion acted as though she didn't know me, … [Read more...] about Hoes, everywhere
Odds and Ends About Tools From Ida D. Bennett
I'm still plowing through the pages of The Flower Garden: A Manual for the Amateur Gardener by Ida D. Bennett (1910) and like a gardener who has stumbled across something while hoeing and stops to see what it is, I have paused to take a closer look at chapter 23, "A Chapter of Odds and Ends". (Excellent use of plowing and hoeing in that sentence, don't you think?) In this chapter, Ms. Bennett provides a little bit of advice on gardening tools. "There is always the tendency among … [Read more...] about Odds and Ends About Tools From Ida D. Bennett
My Souvenirs from Buffalo: New Weeders
Have you ever stopped at a garden center with seventy plus other fanatical gardeners? It's fun to watch how they scatter about. Some head over to look at statues and other garden ornaments. Others immediately start looking over the tables and rows of plants And a few head over to that little corner behind the knick knacks and doodads to see what garden tools are offered for sale. With the garden bloggers, I can always count on Anneliese from Cobrahead joining me in looking at the tools. We … [Read more...] about My Souvenirs from Buffalo: New Weeders
