Problem Solving Products

Problem Solving Products

If you watched Saturday Night Live when it first came on, you will remember Gilda Radner’s character, Roseanne Roseannadanna. She had a favorite phrase: “It’s always something!” That’s how home landscapers and gardeners frequently feel. There are problems and challenges everywhere we turn. Fortunately, there are good solutions to most situations we encounter in our landscapes. Today I walked through the garden center and picked out a few problem-solving products that we want you to be aware of.

"My arborvitae have splayed open with the heavy ice and snow this winter." Arborvitaes are multi-stemmed plants and they often can get pushed out in all directions. This soft-covered wire is perfect for winding around those multiple stems bringing them upright again. Here's the key to success: don't wrap this wire tight around a single stem, but coil it up like a spring around the trunks instead. At either end attach the wire to itself forming a loose ring around the starting stem that won't become too tight over time.

“My arborvitae have splayed open with the heavy ice and snow this winter.” Arborvitaes are multi-stemmed plants and they often can get pushed out in all directions. This soft-covered wire is perfect for winding around those multiple stems bringing them upright again. Here’s the key to success: don’t wrap this wire tight around a single stem, but coil it up like a spring around the trunks instead. At either end attach the wire to itself forming a loose ring around the starting stem that won’t become too tight over time.

"I can't stand to pull out the tiny seedlings in the veggie garden to thin plants."  or "I have a hard time spacing the seeds out well."  Seed tape solves both of these problems. Just dig a shallow trench, lay the seed tape down and cover with soil according to the directions. The seed is already appropriately spaced in the tape. No more thinning or fumbling with fine seed!

“I can’t stand to pull out the tiny seedlings in the veggie garden to thin plants.” or “I have a hard time spacing the seeds out well.” Seed tape solves both of these problems. Just dig a shallow trench, lay the seed tape down and cover with soil according to the directions. The seed is already appropriately spaced in the tape. No more thinning or fumbling with fine seed!

"The bunnies are eating my bean plants!"  Floating row cover is a great way to protect any vegetable plants from the rabbits. You can either drape it right over the plants or use  hoops or sticks to hold it over your crops. This is an especially valuable problem solver in the veggie garden, but it can be use to temporarily protect any plant from critters.  This non-woven fabric is also good for putting over seedlings in the early spring for protection from insects and cold temperatures.

“The bunnies are eating my bean plants!” Floating row cover is a great way to protect any vegetable plants from the rabbits. You can either drape it right over the plants or use hoops or sticks to hold it over your crops. This is an especially valuable problem solver in the veggie garden, but it can be use to temporarily protect any plant from critters. This non-woven fabric is also good for putting over seedlings in the early spring for protection from insects and cold temperatures.

"I want to run a separate hose to several areas..."  Perhaps you have three or four raised beds and want to run a soaker hose through each one. Or maybe you need a hose stationed next to several groups of containers.  There are many times when we wish we had four water spigots, not just one. Here is a handy tool that allows for one water spigot to be turned into four! Note that for good water pressure you'll only want to have one on at a time.

“I want to run a separate hose to several areas…” Perhaps you have three or four raised beds and want to run a soaker hose through each one. Or maybe you need a hose stationed next to several groups of containers. There are many times when we wish we had four water spigots, not just one. Here is a handy tool that allows for one water spigot to be turned into four! Note that for good water pressure you’ll only want to have one on at a time.

"My knees get sore when I plant or weed." These lightweight foam pads are easy to carry from spot to spot and will make even the rockiest ground soft for your joints. Use the large one for sitting or kneeling.

“My knees get sore when I plant or weed.” These lightweight foam pads are easy to carry from spot to spot and will make even the rockiest ground soft for your joints. Use the large one for sitting or kneeling.

What problem are you having in the landscape or with your indoor greenery? We can help. 

2 Comments

  1. Paula on March 23, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    CL, I wintered over a hibiscus in my garage and am not sure if its alive. The tips of the branches appear to be dry and shriveled. I watered it twice during the winter. What is your advice?

    • CLFornari on March 23, 2017 at 8:41 pm

      Paula,
      If you have a place in your house in front of a sunny window, I’d bring it in there and clip it back. Tropical hibiscus don’t generally do well with temperatures below 50 so it is possible that it got too cold in your garage. But if there is still life in it, cutting the stems back by about half, putting it inside in a sunny location and watering it should bring it to life. Wait to fertilize until May.

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