February 2011 garden products with a romantic theme

Author: Nancy Erdmann

Issue: February, 2011, Page 98

DOOR DECORWreath to that special someone, or buy one for yourself and hang it on a door. The eco-friendly wreath measures 12"W and consists of oregano and myrtle leaves, along with lavender, angel’s breath and daffodil blooms. Find it at organicbouquet.com.

MAKING THE CUTNo need to worry about finger pricks from roses anymore. The Fingertip Stem Stripper from Lee Valley Tools makes it easy to smooth down the tips of thorns by simply running the pad up and down the flower stem. The handy tool is made from SuperFabric®, a puncture-resistant material that is machine washable. Find it at leevalley.com.

ROUND ABOUTBig enough for two, or just right for a solo nap, Laneventure’s South Hampton Round Chaise offers a combination of comfort and style. The two-tone hand-woven piece is constructed of weather-resistant synthetic fiber strips over an aluminum frame. The cushions can be covered in your choice of hundreds of Sunbrella fabrics. Find it at Today’s Patio, (866) 9-TODAYS, todayspatio.com.

POT LUCKPamela Crawford delivers advice on how to keep potted plants looking their best in her book Easy Container Gardens: For Anyone Who Has Ever Killed a Plant! (Color Garden Publishing).

Crawford writes that container plants are easier to grow than those in the ground because the soil, drainage and setting can be controlled. The book has a section dedicated to “blue ribbon” plants, which are hardy varieties that are dependable and require little maintenance. Among the book’s tips, Crawford suggests incorporating water-holding polymers in potting soil because they retain moisture and can reduce watering by about a third.
—Lindsay Norman