March 2010: Shopping List for Gardeners

Author: Nancy Erdmann

Issue: March, 2010, Page 165

FLOOR DECORThese hand-woven plastic mats from the Maine Float-Rope Co. are downright indestructible, says the firm. Made from recycled lobster trap float-rope, the weatherproof Down East Doormats are said to resist mildew, mold, sun and saltwater, making them ideal for outdoor settings. And cleanup is a snap—just shake the mats out or hose them down. They’re quick-drying, too. To purchase, log on to mainefloatrope.com.

PLANT MAGICLooking for quick results in the garden? Bonnie Plants’ Herb & Vegetable Plant Food has been formulated to produce lush, well-rooted, healthy plants in a short amount of time. Derived from oilseed extract, the organically based food is 40 percent lower in salts than traditional fertilizers and 50 percent lower than most organics. So it’s difficult for plant tissue to be “burned.” Find the product at The Home Depot, Lowes or Wal-Mart stores.

MENAGE A TROISWhether paired with fresh-picked flowers or displayed without, these Mid-century-inspired Citrus Vases from cb2 make a Contemporary statement. Made of stoneware with a textured finish, they are sold individually. Available at cb2.com.

POT PLANSDesign your containers like a professional with the help of P. Allen Smith’s Container Gardens: 50 Recipes for Year-Round Gardening (Potter Style). The boxed deck includes 50 cards, each with a photograph on one side and a “recipe” for the arrangement on the other. Find them at local bookstores or amazon.com.