March 2012 Picks for the Gardener

Author: Nancy Erdmann

Issue: March, 2012, Page 142

SPICE OF LIFE
Spice up a covered patio or bring the art of the garden indoors with the Vibrant Tree Wall Hanging. The piece depicts the Tree of Life bearing a cornucopia of fruit, birds and leaves. Haitian artisans utilize the metal from used steel drums to craft the wall hanging. Hand-pounded and hand-painted in bright colors, the lead-free piece measures 30"-square. To order, log on to tenthousandvillages.com.

GARDEN MUST-HAVE
Removing weeds just got a little easier with the WeedBlaster Pro. The lawn and garden sprayer features a shield that keeps herbicide on the weed and out of the air. Just place the WeedBlaster over a weed, press the handle to spray, and allow the herbicide to do its job. The garden tool stands 46" high, making it easy to use without the need to bend over. Available at most Ace Hardware stores, or weedblasterpro.com.

BOWLED OVER
Patrick Bernard of Yarnell, Ariz., gets his kicks out of envisioning new life for recycled materials. One example is the Fire Flower Pot, which is made entirely from re-claimed steel. The focal-point piece measures 22"H by 41" in diameter and weighs close to 250 pounds. It can be used as a planter, fountain, or a gas- or wood-burning fire pit and comes in a powder-coated or rust finish. For more information, call (928) 231-4480. To see other examples of the artist’s work, log on to thebernardcompany.com.

MODERN HOMESTEADRenee Wilkinson kicked agricultural conventions to the curb when she vowed to turn her tiny urban backyard into a miniature farm that would sustain both her and her husband. Their lot is now rich with produce.

Wilkinson shares the keys to success in Modern Homestead: Grow, Raise, Create (Fulcrum Publishing), providing advice for creating compost, growing and harvesting produce, and raising farm animals.
—LeeAnn DiSanti