Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Tomatoes, Tools, and Trellos

The 2008 growing season is finally here! Winter sown containers are sporting sprouts, and the greenhouse is cleaned out and ready for seed starting very soon. Here are a few of my favorite new gardening items.... These just make me smile and want to get out in the garden!



Garden clogs! I've tried on many of these in the stores, but have never found just the right fit or color. These are called Trellos, and are available from Land's End. The fit and the color (Olive Drab) are just perfect for me. They will be so handy to slip on for my many trips to the garden or greenhouse, both located just steps outside my front door.

The vintage box holding the above items is an old wooden Coca Cola box, a flea market find for a mere $3.00. (If you look closely you can see the words Coca Cola written in red on the inside of the box.) It is very sturdy and has handles cut into the sides of the box, so will be handy for hauling things around in the garden.




'Brandy Boy' tomato seeds! I saw these in a local produce market, where we had stopped to pick up some huckleberries. I love the taste of Brandywine tomatoes, but typical of most heirlooms, they don't produce much fruit. I am really excited to try this hybrid of Brandywine and Better Boy, which claims to have "incredible heirloom flavor and very high yields."

And saving the best for last....

A Felco Pruner! I've wanted one of these for years, but the scenario seemed to go something like this.... On the first spring-like day in March, I would decide I must spend the afternoon outdoors, and pruning my hedge of Simplicity roses is, naturally, one of the first spring rituals. But since my cheap hardware store pruner from the previous year was either dull or bent, I had to go back to the store for a new one. No more! With all the model options Felco now offers, it was hard to choose one, but I finally settled on the # 8, and it seems to fit my hand well. I am now ready to tackle those roses on the very next sunny warm day that comes our way. Let the pruning begin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment.

~Ellis Peters



18 comments:

Catherine said...

Astonishment is correctly regarded by me as the tag for today as I spot the tiny Snowdrops coming up, as I see you've posted another pic for us with advice we cannot pass up! Coodoos (sp?) to you!!

Carol Michel said...

You will love those Felco pruners. Order up the clip on holster, too!

If I could have put one tool for my garden, I'd have to pick the Felco pruners, or they would at least be in the top 3.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Gina said...

connie - i love those shoes! and i since i have 26 simplicity roses - I bet I should go right out and get those Felco pruners, huh?

growingagardenindavis said...

I finally got Felco pruners last May as a gift...I love them! What a great wooden box find...it's perfect for hauling things in the garden!

Priscilla George said...

I have never tried clogs. I just can't get past how unattractive they are. To me I'd rather just have sneakers on. Good luck on your tomatoes and pruners

Marie said...

That what's so good about the garden, we can start over again every year! Is't it exciting?

The poem about mom on one of your previous posts is beautiful...

Have a nice day :)

garden girl said...

Last year at the greenhouse where I work, every time they got misplaced I searched until I found the two pairs of Felcos. They're definitely must-haves.

I love the Coca Cola box!

Linda

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You will never regret purchasing the Felcos. They are marvelous and last a long time.

Anonymous said...

Seeing the picture you posted makes me smile! Ready, set, GO!

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

What great things you bought. Love that old Coca Cola box. I wonder how your tomatoes will do, hopefully they will live up to your expectation!
Happy pruning! ;-)

Whyite said...

I have never seen these pruners. I would love to find some and try(buy) a pair. Gotta love tomato seeds!

Anonymous said...

I agree about the clogs, they are always so bright colored. I like the olive color, I will have to add them to my list.

Randy said...

Well! It looks like you are ready to go. Clogs and clippers here you come! :-)

Randy said...

Thanks for the visit Connie, I think you said it best in your profile. "Ongoing vision..." wise words indeed. :-)

Victoria Williams said...

Your new tools look great! Have fun.

Meems said...

Connie: My very first pair of gardening clogs came from Lands'End. Yours made me remember how I wore them until the rubber split. I now wear Smith & Hawkin but I'm eyeing yours for helping with the air flow.

Also love the coca cola tray- very cool and so cottage-garden chic... which is very important you know. :-)

I have had Felco pruners for years and they come with an extra blade which makes them extra great. Mine have been busy for weeks now but I can tell you - you will love using yours when that first fine spring day arrives for you. Happy pruning and seed planting.

kate said...

Your clogs look comfortable and are a perfect colour for working in the garden. I like your Coke crate - that was a find!

I can't find my pruners, so hopefully they will turn up. We still have a long way to go before spring arrives though.

Carolyn said...

Just surfin' the blogs and found you.

HOw funny is it that I just ordered my Trellos!

Carolyn