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Use your stimulus payment to splurge on these 5 items for your garden

Julie Scagell
By

If that stimulus check is already burning a hole in your pocket, why not spend it on something you’ve been coveting for your garden? You spend a lot of time there, so why not splurge on something for yourself? It’s been a long year, and the prospect of getting back outside and tending to your garden is within reach. We’ve scoured the internet to find some of the best gardening accessories out there to help you get started.

AnnaRia/Shutterstock

Gardener’s puddle-proof tote

If you’re used to lugging gardening tools, towels, gloves, and everything else back and forth from your garage to your garden, it’s time to invest in a tote. This one from Gardener’s has tons of pockets to keep hand tools and supplies  organized, mesh pockets for carrying water bottles, and cords on each to keep everything in place. It also has a waterproof rubber bottom, so all the contents stay dry, as well. It’s $50 but well worth the money given the time spent running back and forth.

Barebones hori hori

The hori hori is a cross between a knife, a trowel, and a saw — all for only $38. It’s made from steel and bamboo and will cut, dig, and saw through almost anything. It also easily digs out weeds and divides plants with almost no effort on your part. Based on a Japanese design, the hori hori, which loosely means “dig dig,” is the multitasking machine your garden has been waiting for. If you’re feeling generous, gift one to a gardening friend you haven’t seen in a while because it is one of the best garden tools they’ll ever receive.

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garden tiller
Gena Melendrez/Shutterstock

Sun Joe® electric tiller

This electric tiller has a powerful 13.5-amp motor, so you can quickly pulverize dirt, ensuring maximum aeration and perfectly prepared seedbed for all your spring planting. The product description says you can cultivate an area 16-inches wide and up to 8-inches deep in seconds making prep work a breeze. This leaves you more time to research, choose, and plant the perfect summer garden for just $133. You’ll be the envy of all your neighbors.

Precilla aquatic patio pond pot planter

Ebern Designs pond planter is a gorgeous addition to any garden or outdoor space. It’s durable and made of natural rock veneer that, “ages like real stone, yet never fades or chips.” It can be used indoors or outdoors and comes in three colors — desert granite, terra cotta, and green slate. The three sizes ranging in price from $170 to $500, and this product can be used as a regular planter, as well. This one’s a conversation piece!

raised garden bed
Peredniankina/Shutterstock

Plow and Hearth cedar raised bed

If you’ve got a bad back or knees or just love the look of raised beds, this one’s a winner. This planter is $250, but it’s insect-resistant, and the beds are the perfect size to plant vegetables, herbs, or flowers. It also has a 10-inch planting depth, so any plant you desire to grow should work. This would be an ideal vegetable or herb garden and will look gorgeous in your yard or on your balcony.

Now is the perfect time to indulge yourself and spend some of that stimulus money on the person who deserves it most — you. Your green thumb will thank you. Plus, there are so many great options for gardening tools, equipment, bird feeders, decorative ponds, and other garden decor available now — both online and at your favorite nursery. That means you’ll be walking into spring with a literal spring in your step!

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A complete guide to cleaning your greenhouse for beginners
Rebecca Wolken
By Rebecca Wolken
February 24, 2022
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When you first installed your greenhouse, it probably looked like a glittery glass castle for your lovely plants to grow and live in. However, weather, soil spills, and birds have made their mark on your greenhouse over time and now it's probably looking cloudy and nasty. So how do you clean a greenhouse?
Why worry about a clean greenhouse?
You may be wondering if you even need to worry about cleaning your greenhouse. If you don't mind the dirty look, maybe you could leave it as it is? Unfortunately, it's much better for your greenhouse and your plants if you give the greenhouse a deep clean at least once a year. It'll make it easier to use when it is clean and organized, and the walls of the greenhouse need to be clear so they can let in as much light as possible. Additionally, a clean greenhouse is less likely to spread pests and diseases to your precious plants. And lastly, things last longer when you care for them and greenhouses aren't cheap.

When should you clean a greenhouse?
There's no right time to clean a greenhouse; whenever you can is better than not at all. However, we suggest cleaning it when there isn't so much to do in the garden and it isn't so hot out. Usually, the fall is when the garden chores slow down and it starts to cool out, making cleaning the greenhouse much easier on you.
What is the best way to clean a greenhouse?
You can use whatever cleaning method works for you, but here is our step-by-step process that we recommend.
Step one: Empty the space
Of course, we know you can only empty a greenhouse so much if you have tender plants that need to stay warm. But as much as you can, take out the tools, buckets, and bags of soil. It will be much easier on you if you don't have to fuss with items in your way as you clean the walls and floors. This also allows you to go through what you have and declutter if necessary.
Step two: Rough dusting
Over the season, spiders and bugs and maybe even some mice have tried to make homes in your greenhouse. This has probably led to a few cobwebs and dust piles around the corners. You'll want to remove these large areas of debris before you start the deep cleaning. Use a broom to knock down the cobwebs and sweep up the floor; you've probably spilled some soil during the summer!
Step three: Clean the walls
The panels of your greenhouse will now need to be deep cleaned. You can use a bucket of warm water and a sponge to wipe them down, but we also recommend bringing a long-handled brush to make life easier. This way, you can dip the brush into the bucket of soapy water and scrub down the walls with the long-handled brush. You'll be able to reach every inch of the walls without killing your back.

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5 outdoor living trends that will totally improve your 2022
Rebecca Wolken
By Rebecca Wolken
January 2, 2022
women outside sitting

After being stuck in our homes the last two years, we've started to realize that making our homes into a lovely place to be is very important. However, we can only stay inside for so long before we ache for sunshine and nature. Turning your outdoor space into a haven where you can escape the indoors and enjoy some fresh air will improve your 2022 no matter what it throws at us. So here are some ways to spruce up your outdoor living space so you can enjoy the spring when it finally comes back around.

Bring indoor luxuries to an outdoor space
The best way to encourage yourself to go outside more often is to make it as comfortable as possible. So often, we choose indoor seating instead of going outside simply because that huge sectional is way more comfortable to lounge on. So instead, invest in comfortable seating, plenty of surfaces for drinks and electronics, and maybe even purchase some umbrellas or awnings so you can sit outside even if it's lightly raining. Making an easy transition from indoors to outdoors will encourage everyone in the home to come out more often and enjoy the space.
Vertical gardening
Not everyone has the luxury of having an expansive backyard. If you're struggling to know what to do with your smaller space, but you know you want more plants and gardening opportunities, try vertical gardening! This is where you take a wall of your deck or fence and grow plants one on top of the other. You might have seen these as living walls or those DIY projects with pallets and herbs. Either way, growing flowers or veggies vertically allows you to garden without taking up precious space in your smaller yard.
Outdoor office
Many of us spend a lot of time inside at our desks. If you were lucky enough to work from home the last few years, you might have a pretty decent setup for your home office. However, spending all day inside when the weather is excellent can be depressing, and if you're home, why not take advantage of the opportunity and create an outdoor office space? This allows you to keep working while enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. Endless studies are proving that getting outside more often improves mental and physical health!

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Good, better, best: The perfect gas grill for your outdoor kitchen
Scott Harris
By Scott Harris
December 26, 2021
best outdoor gas grill woman grilling outside

Grills these days do a lot more than cook Independence Day hot dogs. Viewed as a more flavorful and healthful alternative to some other, more conventional cooking methods, grilling is the centerpiece of many a culinary adventure, from the everyday to the downright fancy.

Does any of that sound appealing? You may be ready to make a long-term investment in a heavy-duty gas grill. A solid gas grill is easy and economical to use, stands up to wear and tear over time, is fairly simple to use and maintain, and can provide the kind of flexibility and functionality you need in an everyday cooking space.

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