My Product Wish List from the Garden Writer’s Symposium 2010

Ups-A-Daisy is a clever little creation. It’s a pot insert that saves on the amount of soil you’ll need to fill a container. Have you searched all over the house for pot fillers? I have. I’ve used old cans, plastic jugs, broken pots, and the list goes on. These inserts work by cutting down on your fill area and allowing you to use less soil and making the container lighter in the process.

These Ups-A-Daisy plastic inserts are light weight and save your back when you go to move your pot full of mature flowers. I rarely move my pots as they grow cause the thing is just way to heavy. Well here is the solution. And..most annuals don’t need a lot of root space. Annuals grow better with about 10 inches of soil and they love to be snuggled together. It’s perfect for pansies. The design improves drainage too. So no more rotting plants.

Ups-A-Daisy is just one of the companies I made a mental note about so I could go back home and research more about the product. These are new to me and I thought you might like seeing some of the products I’d enjoy using in my garden and home.

Another of these companies was:

Lechuza Self-Watering Containers are on my list of must haves for my porches. This will be the answer to who is going to water while I’m on vacation or when I simply forget about them.

This system waters your plants for up to 12 weeks. There is a gage indicator that tells you when the container needs to be filled again.

I am really impressed with the design and idea not to mention it’s going to assure the success of my containers and make my plants more attractive.

I will be testing these containers and writing more about them in the near future but I am so excited that I wanted to share and give you a sneak peak.

There is a video on their website that explains how they work and they have an online shop. The colors and textures are very classy.

These containers will help you conserve water because you will know exactly how much water your plant requires. No over or under watering.

And , if you leave the plug in the containers for inside—you don’t have to worry about ruining your furniture with water spots.

Are you looking for a hose that will keep up the wear and tear you dish out, or a nozzle that makes watering easier, or maybe you’d rather the watering take care of itself? Look to the Dramm company to do it stylishly and still be durable.

This display was full at the beginning of the Garden Writer’s Symposium. You can see that it was a popular product.

I enjoyed meeting these folks and learning about their consumer and commercial line.  What color would you pick. I think my favorite is the burgundy. Check out their site and you’ll recognize the Color Wand as you probably own one.

Actually, I have several and the garden center where I use to work full time—has lots. It’s a cinch to reach hanging baskets with the long handle. Dramm makes a Touch and Flow wand that allows you to start and stop the flow of water with more ease than traditional nozzles. The control mechanism is in the handle and works by the squeeze of your grip and it will not tire your hand as is the custom of most hand held nozzles.

These are just a few of the items on my wish list and I’ll be writing more about them as the season progresses.

Durable Dirty Knees Fashionably

Update for you on the garden clothing line started a year ago. Many of you are following and anticipating the grand opening of my apparel line for the gardener. The goal is to have comfortable clothes that go from the garden to running errands and looking presentable in the process.

Today was a huge hurdle in my attemps to sort out the ins and outs of this business. I have hired an artist/graphic designer to put the finishing touches on my logo. She’s emailing me her step by step process for my input and go-ahead approval. It’s so exciting. Absolutely can not wait to show it to you.

Yes!!!!! Found it!!!! Huge hurdle in finding a 100% certified organic fabric supplier for my T-shirts, aprons, and capri pants. It had to be pesticide free and made in the USA. I found a very reputable company and they are ready to go! I’m looking at samples of the denim and woven fabrics. All organic of course.

Speak now if there are any special pockets you want on the capris–like a cell phone pocket and garden tool clip. Anything else. I’m meeting with the designer soon. Speak up–now is your chance to have a piece of clothing that works in the garden and on the go.

I am leaning toward having the logo embroidered on the item instead of screen printed. It cost more but looks and wears better.

The clothes are geared to the season—long sleeve thermals and such for winter. Short sleeves are not capped and not too long for summer—just right. Flowergardengirl.org will also carry gardening cards, birdhouses, and straw hats. The straw hats will match the shirts—which will coordinate with the ribbing on the capris—and well…….stay tuned.

Finally you can say—–gardening clothes that are not too cute……very comfortable—-durable—and ageless. They will not go out of style. Just like a good old galvanized watering can won’t ever go out of style.

Organics use to be dull colors but with today’s new techniques we can have things like cherry red and heavenly blue. Are you a cherry red or a heavenly blue?

Guys, I did not leave you out. Cargo garden shorts/pants and pro casual shirts are on the way. Got any suggestions? Let me know.

So now you know—you know some of the goings on behind Flowergardengirl. You must certainly stay tuned.

Do Tell Me That Hollyhocks Are In Heaven

After watching the podcast, can you tell why I must grow hollyhocks?

And The Winners Are

Coming to you live from North Carolina, we have the winners of yesterdays giveaway.

Catherine @ A Gardener in Progress she wins the Bunny Weathervane

Kathleen @ Kasey’s Korner she wins the Dragonfly Sundial

Congrats to you both and I’ll send your email along and they will contact you.

The Giveaway –Hurry! Ends 8pm Eastern

The giveaway ends at 8pm. Hurry!

Go HERE

Life in the Garden Giveaway Now

I’ve posted about this for days and now is your chance to sign up. You can see the second place prize HERE.

=======You must follow the directions below.

I’m sorry but the giveaway is only open only to those who live in the US–I tried!

You must give me a short explanation of what brings the most life to your garden. For me–Copper Top Cottage. It will be home to all the seedlings next year, it will have a swing, and I will store my treasures in there. I’ll have a birdhouse on the side made from the scrap wood that went in to Copper Top. There will be chimes that tinkle softly. It will be a living shed and bring ‘Life to the Garden’. Now tell me if you have ‘Life in the Garden’ other than plants. If you have nothing—then by all means tell us what you would like to have—besides the sundial and weathervane–that’s obvious! You must include the word Birdhouse in your reply. This is to keep out spammers who don’t read this whole thing through. I hope you have a great day tomorrow and good luck to everyone.

I will pass your email address along to the folks that are hosting this giveaway—- Teak, Wicker, and  More. They will handle the shipping which is free.

Signups close at 8pm Eastern on April 22. I will announce the winner on Thursday April 23.

Info on the weathervane bunny is HERE

This giveaway was being spammed by a major sweepstake operation. I am holding those IP addresses that don’t normally appear on my site. If your address checks out, you will be included.

Life in the Garden Giveaway part 2 of 3

And the runner up will receive—-

A Dragonfly Sundial

Whitehall commemorates this ancient clock, which has survived the test of time, by offering an elegant collection of uniquely styled sundials. Each piece is crafted from rust-free recycled aluminum and carefully finished with weather resistant paints to withstand any climate.Features:

• Made from rust-free recycled aluminum
• Finished with weather resistant paints to withstand any climate
• Inscription: “Flying jewel how quick your flight reflects the passage of day to night”
• Dimensions: 12″ Diameter

I love the inscription!

Nothing says ‘Life in the Garden’ like the sun. For those of you just following along, you can read HERE about this two part giveaway.

So far we’ve talked about how to bring life to your garden in some unique ways. Yesterday we talked about the movement of wind and today we are highlighting the sun. Certainly nothing could grow without it but it has more to it than that. You can also tell time by the sun.

Playing with the shadows creates a fun place for the kitty or doggie to lay. How many of you know exactly where your pet chooses to hang out in the garden?

When you first receive your sundial, set it in a very sunny location. Take your watch so you can keep moving the sundial until it registers the correct time. The gnomon needs to be pointing North. There is also a complicated set of instructions that ehow.com has set up nicely for us.

Did you know that sundials are particular to their location. One set up for Madrid  would not necessarily work at any location. If you don’t win the giveaway, you can go HERE and make your own. I don’t have one yet for the new home and just might consider buying one from Teak, Wicker, and More. They were sure good to us by giving us this sundial and the weathervane. It is a win win for them and us.

I would like to thank Khara who works for Teak, Wicker, and More. She allowed me to pick whatever–within reason–that I thought you all would like. Fun isn’t it?

Ok garden fans—tomorrow, April 22,  is the day! I will preset the post to appear around 8am. The contest ends at 8pm. That’s it….no ifs ands or buts. You have to leave me one message  between 8am and 8pm on April 22nd to enter. I will pick the winner and  announce it here on Thrusday April 23rd. You can only enter once.

You must give me a short explanation of what brings the most life to your garden. For me–Copper Top Cottage. It will be home to all the seedlings next year, it will have a swing, and I will store my treasures in there. I’ll have a birdhouse on the side made from the scrap wood that went in to Copper Top. There will be chimes that tinkle softly. It will be a living shed and bring ‘Life to the Garden’. Now tell me if you have ‘Life in the Garden’ other than plants. If you have nothing—then by all means tell us what you would like to have—besides the sundial and weathervane–that’s obvious!

Right now this is only open to those in the USA. I’m checking on it though. I’m rooting for everyone and I have ask.

=====The giveaway is over. The winner will be announced some time in the next 24hrs in a new blog post.

Life In The Garden Giveaway

Wouldn’t you like to have this rabbit weathervane. Well you just might be the winner on Wednesday April 22, 2009. When you see the post on April 22, start signing up. I will draw a name on April 23 and you will be notified. The winner will be announced here at my blog also.

Rabbit Weathervane in Red Rust and Olive Bronze from Teak Wicker and More

Made of hand forged metal, this weathervane is finished in red rust and olive bronze.Features:

• Rabbit weathervane
• Designed by Billy Moon
• Red rust and olive bronze finish
• Overall dimensions: 24″ H x 23″ W x 6″ D

When the folks at Teak Wicker and More contacted me about a giveaway, I was skeptical. You who are faithful readers know I don’t advertise. After taking a look at their site, I was convinced this might just be a fun thing for you and me.

While browsing the site, I was looking for an item that would bring life to your garden in a way you don’t always consider. I saw this rabbit weathervane and knew immediately it was the perfect item. I see many of you post about bunnies both good and bad. This bunny won’t eat your plants. It will become a focal point for that certain area you want to draw attention to. And, it can be moved!

The weathervane above is crafted and designed in a way that it will fit all your different styles both modern and country or eclectic. It will move with the wind if you mount it to do so which brings life and movement to the garden. I would mount it on a porch post right in the middle of the garden. Have you seen that done before? Just sink the post right in the ground and put the weathervane on top.

When considering ‘Life in a Garden’ outside the normal thought of birdbaths, lounging areas with trellises, patio furniture–consider other areas that affect the senses like firepits ( there is a cute firepit called Evening Sky), trickling water from a fountain( check out copper kettle), accent lighting, wind socks, flags, sculptures, stacked stones, dangling objects from a tree, and so many more that add to the charm of having a garden. It doesn’t have to be just plants.

The weathervane above brings life in the form of wind. After all, most plants need the fresh air to avoid being too wet. The wind also strengthens stems and branches. The wind carries pollen so life can continue. Breezes are ever changing and will turn this bunny to look in many directions. Won’t that be fun?

Disclamer====The company will deliver right to your door and they offer free shipping. If the item should be broken or there is trouble with the order, I am not responsible. Or should the item be out of stock, I am not responsible for making a substitution or offer any money for items not received or damaged. In other words, after I announce the winner, you will be dealing with them directly. Should Teak Wicker and More back out of the offer, I am not responsible. ==========

Signups start April 22, 2009. Watch for the post! Life in the Garden Part 1