We can't do anything about the drought, so I'm already thinking about what I'll do this fall. I'm wondering if anyone has any new gardening tools or tips they can share (not plant your corn early ).

This is a new tool I have. It's called a Gator Grabber. The handles are telescoping. The jaws have teeth and will pick up every leaf. Our garden club ordered these after a member scoured the internet looking for a tool that no one would have. When she brought it to the meeting, we all wanted one. In addition to leaves, branches and twigs, it's a pooper scooper and a pond mucker for me.

Wow, that looks pretty handy. Right now my favorite tool is a hose...

That's funny! I bought a new "kink-free" hose. Tomorrow I'll be using tongue depressors taped to the kinks (like I did to my last kink free hose) to keep them straight. I want a hose that doesn't kink!

Like that tool, and me, too, Sandi!

It is a neat tool. As for the hose, I'm told by the other person who lives in this house that I don't wind it up correctly. May be that's because I'm always using it!

I have experience the kinky hoses too Sandi.

I can't find it, but I remember a prayer for a garden hose that didn't kink!
My backyard is more patio than garden. Beds are on the edges. I'm always dragging the hose. Rolling it up into a neat circle is for wintertime. I have hoses out at the back that I can hook on to, but usually it's more of a hassle and I just drag! And that's with one side on sprinklers! As the brugmansias grow taller, they block some of the sprinkler heads. DH extends the pipes for the sprinkler heads, and the brugs grow taller to block 'em. After a while, it's best not to mention fixing the heads anymore!

One thing that is a big help is handles that are 1/4 turn. It only takes one quick flick of the wrist to turn it on full force. We have replaced all of ours ....and I am spoiled now.

Sheila, i had to get DH to explain 1/4 turns. I didn't know they had a name! We have those on the outside timers. One side of that thing I have to "tap" with a rock to turn it on.

This is my favorite tool. Nejiri Gama Hoe

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BK2IMO/

Do you use it for weeding? How effective on dandilions?
What is a 1/4 turn..sounds good!

Mostly weeding but also cultivating the soil and digging holes for plants. Never used it on dandelions so I can't say how good it is but I do dig some tough weeds with it.

Here is the handle I was talking about. Very easy to turn...no rock required on them Sandi. The brass is a bit pricey but worth it in the long run. We do have some PVC 1/4 turn valves too, but I really like these.

?

Our new 50' curly garden hose is our new favorite! We moved to a new home in June, and the sellers left a curly hose, at the back fence. Must have forgotten it... but we shortly learned that it was a great tool for our patio hose. Due to this heat, we're watering the patio pots nightly, and rewinding a long hose is NOT my favorite thing, so this curly hose, which recoils itself back down to a 4 ft length, was AWESOME!

Did some research, and picked my new one up at Home Depot ($20). It even came with a hanger rack that DH mounted to the brick wall, and i do manage to lay it in the rack to recoil. (most of the time) Sure is nice to grab the hose and return it, knowing I won't be tripping over a 50 ft hose all the time!

and Sheila, those are GREAT! We had those put on our utility/ laundry water supply lines. Makes it EASY to turn water off, especially when taking trips, and want to shut the water off easily to eliminate leaky disasters!

Well guess I dropped the link somewhere in outerspace. Try this...might not be the size or connection you would need but you get the idea.
http://www.grainger.com/Graing...


Hey Melanie, nice to see you on this site...great one...and growing leaps and bounds.
We have used the curly hoses for several years on the decks for pot watering...so handy. Only problem is they won't hold up to freezing temps at all; must take them inside for the winter.

This is an interesting thread. Hi, Sandi ... I'm was just cruising by to see what you all are doing over here in Texas. Looking good! Hi, Carey.

Thanks for photo, S heila. Planning to buy those! Coming home today.

Hi and welcome to you, Tee.

Our last day in NYC...