Lawn and Garden Reviews

after looking at lotsa quicky storage sheds, we finally decided on a TO shed from Sams Club. * it took me and my man 3.5 hours to put it together, and we're both smart people. we think it is impossible for it to be put together in less than 2 hours. it would be real difficult for one person to put it together, unless they had octopus arms. * all the parts were there, and they added extras on some parts. * it weighs 500 pounds, per TO's info, and it fit in the bed of my small toyota pickup perfectly. we unloaded from the truck. * there were directions in the packaging, but some of the steps were not clear, and we had to figure out what in the world they meant for us to do. * instructions are available for download off their webpage: http://www.thinking-outside.com at customer service, instructions. * we may buy another one, as this is so handy and easy to use and quick to build; we will be parking a Harley big bike in it. * if the shed is to be located right smack against a wall, it can be tricky to put those doors on. * not recommended to add holes for hangers on the shed, tho a picture on their webpage looks like a rake hanging off a door. * step two, putting the floor together, was difficult because the holes were not very well sized for the bolt or to attach the bolts. we put the floor together leaning up against the wall behind the site, and just dropped the floor down, instead of doing it on the ground and flipping the big wobbly floor all the way over. * There were chads in many of the holes the connections go, and we had to remove them with needle-nose pliers. * only the shelves they provide can be used. additional shelves are ordered from the TO business are 4 for $60, shipping included. we'll probably buy another set. * putting the roof on, with the roof connection piece, was tricky to figure out. * make sure you open the doors as described, to put the hinges on, and make certain it clicks into place, or the doors won't close properly. * there's two double doors on each long side, separated by space. opposite the bay window are another set of two doors that meet door to door, good size for putting in larger items like lawnmowers or bikes. * you can buy a 4 foot section that expands the shed, ordered thru sam's club, it's about $400. if i had more room at it's present location, we would purchase it, too. * it can be staked down with your own stakes, in case you're in a windy area. * we live in phoenix, az, and hope it holds up well to the intense summer heat. metal sheds get hot to the touch in this sun, and seem to get rusty here, too. * the color is a blah greenish, with a beige-ish top, (my house is white stucco), it still looks fine on my property. * it looks neato with the bay window, and makes the shed seem more attractive and appealing. * the workbench is small, maybe 4 feet wide at it's longest, and trapazoidal, located under the bay window, but is very useful. * with two skylights and the bay window, it's easy to see inside during the day. we have an outdoor light on the house eave we can turn on to see inside during the dark hours. * all in all, i'd rate it an 8.7 n a 1-10 scale, my man rates it 8.5, with 10 being perfect.

Having looked at a number of loppers, this one combines great value and quality. The ratcheting action leverages cuts, making them smooth and easy, even through dead branches!

This sprinkler is great! It has a much more even coverage than pulsating sprinklers and can be adjusted to heavy coverage or a fine mist coverage. I bought mine through a mail order catalog a couple of years ago and have been looking for it on the internet for a while. I am so glad to have found it again.

I bought this unit last week and LOVE IT! Last year I borrowed a chipper from a friend and couldn't wait to return it because I had to force feed it. Not this one. I started it up, inserted branches and out came mulch! It slowed down a little when I put a large (2 1/2") branch but kept on chomping away. I would HIGHLY recommend this unit.

The Troy-Bilt Add-On Blower is easy to attach and works quite well. It comes with two nozzles so you can pick the one that will work best for your application (e.g., broad, sweeeping strokes or a more focused stream of air.)

EZ to attach to trimmer. Has a lot of power and works well.

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 have gardened with this tool for decades and am now buying it for my sons. This tool allows you to loosen and turn the soil as it weeds and add fertilizer. It's great for the soil, as rain soaks into the soil and down to the root. The gardener is able to place the hoe close to the plants without harming it. Many people now-a-days seem to like the 3 pronged weeder but then you must watch where the 3 prongs are at all times and it cuts a wider path. With this tool you only watch one point and just keep moving.

I'm able to weed a large garden in 20 minutes. It's GRRREAT!

This little pick is invaluable to the concrete flatwork formsetter for digging under stringlines and prying forms up and into place. Also handy for stripping forms. Highly recommended.

I bought the Davis Weather Wizard III for my dad and it's the best home station on the market. It is cabled so, yes you'll have to run some cable from outside to the inside of your home. First ask your self how much am I willing to spend on a weather station. Second, how accurate would you like it to be. Third, how long are you will to wait for it to update. Most peolpe want the most accurate and quickest update they can find. So did I!!! By purchasing one that was cabled the Update time is 2 sec. and accutate to 1 degree. The one I purchased has the Temp. with Radiation Shild and Anemometer. You can add the rain gauge if you like. This bad boy is as good as some of the equipment that the National Weather Service has!!!! I researched all of the home weather stations from Oregon Scientific, La Crosse, Accurite, and Davis. Davis is the number one company in weather equipment. they have other stations that have many more features than this one but if your looking for the Inside and Outside Temp., Wind Direction and Speed, and Wind Chill this is by far the best. Also note they have a Great Tech. Support Team!!!!!

The watering can works fine. It came with 2 interchangeble spount ends -- the disk one with multiple holes like in the picture and the more customary one big hole type, this is a nice feature. I'm not convinced that the thing really holds 2 liters though. I haven't measured but it seems smaller than that.

This can was exactly what I'd been looking for. I have several plants on a high shelf, very hard to water with a conventional can. This solved the problem!