Gardening Tools Reviews

This Silky Pocketboy 170 with FINE teeth makes it easy to cut branches from shrubs and trees. I chose the fine tooth model in the Silky Pocketboy series because I wanted the best possible control when removing a branch that is pressed up next to a branch I wanted to save. You can use a very light touch with this super sharp saw which allows excellent control when unwanted and wanted branches are close together. When the saw has been hard to push or pull I have discovered that I am pressing too hard. It seems like a light "scratching" motion cuts effortlessly and quickly. This light touch is terrific for controlling a cut and protecting nearby branches from damage. On garden shrubs it allows bonsai like control.

The 6.7 inch blade on the 170 is plenty long enough for pruning branches an inch thick. I have just ordered the Silky POCKETBOY 130 fine blade which has a 5.12 inch blade. I think this length will be even better for pruning small diameter branches out of the base of shrubs.

In order to prevent bowing and buckling of the blade it only cuts when you are pulling toward you. This adds to the nice control over the cut.

I have been using it instead of my Felco #8 for many cutting jobs. It really is often a better choice. I now think a folding saw is an essential. It is on my tool belt with my Felcos and my Japanese weeder. It comes with a very nice, closed (for safety) scabbard that is designed to hang on a tool belt.

Highly recommended. An ESSENTIAL for the well equipped gardener.

I cannot praise this saw highly enough. If you have ever needed to cut roots when digging up a pesky privet grown into an ugly tree, or a volunteer walnut or maple that you don't want growing next to your fence, then you NEED this saw. I have used it on a dozen trees and shrubs when roots got in the way of digging it out. It is still as sharp as new, even though it has been cutting green wood with dirt, sand and rocks stuck to it.

I also own the Silky Hayauchi pole saw, and a Silky Master carpenter's saw, and all of these tools are of the very finest quality, and they are an absolute joy to use and even just to look at. I may already own 3 of Silky's fine saws, but I am sure to buy more of them!!

This saw is finely crafted, razor sharp, and fast cutting, in many cases eliminates the need for a chain saw. Anyone with fruit trees or small ornamental trees or shrubs should have this saw in their tool kit.

Numerous brands of deer repellent sprays crowd the shelves at nurseries and garden stores. Here in our small Montana town bordered by wildlands we have a significant urban deer population and the most effective (by far) repellent that I've used is Plantskydd. OK, granted, it doesn't smell as sweet as those prissy mint sprays and you need to be aware of which way the wind blows when you apply it as a little of the organically-based, potent smell goes a long way on skin and clothes as well as plants. In short, it smells really bad (to my human nose) for about a day after an application, but it works really well at repelling deer for weeks. My nurseryman says the smell makes him wretch. I think he is a whimp, but his response is a good indicator of how effective it will be on other mammals. The effective ingredient is pigs' blood in a vegetable oil binder that keeps the product from being quickly washed away by regular watering. The pigs' blood works by emitting an odor that animals associate with predator activity and stimulates a fear-based response which will have deer (elk, moose, opossum, and rabbits, too) looking for somewhere else to dine. I typically spray the product on the mulch or soil at the base of my plants to keep it from discoloring leaves. The product was originally developed in Sweden for use in tree plantations that were being decimated by mammals.

This is an awesome trimmer. TOP grade. Super easy to use, quiet, powerful, simple, great quality, comfortable, etc, etc, etc. I bought a $90 YardMachines before this, and it was a complete piece of junk. It is so worth the extra $110+ it's not even funny. This thing starts on first pull EVERY time, and like I said before, is very comfortable to use for long periods of time. I currently have only used this on one lawn. I used it for as long as possible, but finally had to quit because I ran out of things to cut...I highly recommend this to ANYONE looking for a trimmer, even if you don't want to spend $200.

Whether in the dew moist garden, dealing with garbage can pick-up, pet bathing, or groping through a potentially dangerous unorganized tool box--this pair of bright canary yellow gloves from Stanley are true hand savers. I've counted on Stanley for tools for years and I love these gloves.

They are roomy (I have the fits-all size pair), durable, give a steady grip, and the cotton lining is extremely comfortable. I still lightly coat my hands with powder first--makes putting them on and pulling them off easier, plus keeps them smelling good.

Great for gift giving--inexpensive enough to arrange in a colorful basket with other fun garden essentials. Try that with some packs of seeds, a book on gardening, a gift certificate to a favorite nursery and you'll grow miles of smiles.

I've bought several Suncast products within the last couple of months, and I like them all. This vertical tool shed is no exception. Like their other products, it was very easy to assemble, and while it may not be completely weatherproof, that doesn't matter to me, because I've put it in my garage. The pieces were generally well made (although I had to trim away a little plastic flashing with a utility knife), and they went together smoothly. I'll feel comfortable buying other Suncast products in the future.

This is the best tool! I received it as a birthday gift, now I'm going to order 10 to give for presents. The length, balance, and leverage on this are perfect. That's not all - makes a great back scratcher too. This is the best garden tool I've ever used.

I purchased two Topsy Turvy Tomato Planters and planted two tomato plants in each. After a month they are doing very well and getting flowers. Planting upside down is not easy. I thought this would work great since I have a 2 year old who will dig in a regular pot on the ground. It's kind of tricky to get the plants in the planter. And you will make a big mess. But they take up less space on my patio and are a great topic of interest for visitors. I'm very happy with them so far.

... I got carpal tunnel in both hands many years ago and had surgery to fix it. The surgery worked, but my hand strength has never been back to 100% of what it was. I tire out easily, and don't have the force necessary to really dig in the garden. These nifty tools, which I saw several years ago ...and then couldn't find again, really work great! Make your large arm muscles take the brunt of digging in the dirt.