Comments on: Tools on trial

By: Christine B.

Christine B. — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:06:02 +0000

I have a light blue tub trug and have used it for everything from pouring water to dirty laundry. I will buy another this year. They have such fun color options it might be hard to pick!

Christine in Alaska

Christine, It’s true – there are almost too many choices. And they all look the best together. It’s kind of like choosing linens or fiesta ware… -kris

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:20:53 +0000

I’m glad to know about the coir pots ~ am about to use some when starting seeds and thought they would be bio-degradable. I love the plastic buckets ~ have several of them for different uses.

Kate, Good luck with the seeds – and at least you can look forward to reusing some of those pots maybe… -kris
p.s. – I’m glad to see you here again!

By: Layanee

Layanee — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:51:11 +0000

You are always so kind! I bought some coir a while ago and used it in containers. It was fine but then I would value your opinion since you have used it for seed starting. I will have to check into availability as growers are the predominant users of peat in the professional mixes. Perhaps a coir product will be on my list of items soon.

Layanee, I hope so! The coir bricks are a little pricey (unless you can buy in bulk like we did…) but we really do like it and it goes pretty far if you mix it with compost and a little potting soil. Come on over and check it out! My soil blocks are holding together and one marigold test is already up (2 days!) -kris

By: Layanee

Layanee — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:45:24 +0000

Love the trugs, love the hori hori although mine is a copy with a orange handle which helps me to not lose it. As for peat….only 3% of peat reserves worldwide are being harvested, all bogs in CN must be reclaimed and it has less fuel miles on it than coir. Just saying….I will agree to disagree on the peat issue although it is hard to wet. That industry does employ quite a few of us though and times, they is tough!

Layanee, it’s good to be reminded that there’s still an argument for peat. Fuel miles and jobs should be factored in to the decision. In the long run though, I think it’s good to have some viable alternatives to choose from and hopefully the industry will continue to adapt and prosper! (- And I have to venture a guess that the way the coir is compressed and packaged, must reduce its mileage footprint somewhat…) -kris

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:36:25 +0000

Oh, I love my Hori-Hori! So much so that I hardly think to try other tools. I lost my first though I don’t know how because I practically eat and sleep with it during the gardening season. I’m going to have to check out the Planter’s Buddy Lynn mentioned in her comment.

As far as pots go I am behind the times, still reusing my stash of little plastic pots for all my seedlings. An update to a soil block maker sounds like an excellent upgrade – I’m going to stay tuned for your results and review!

Christine, I’m like you – never without my hori-hori. Even though I don’t use it much in the winter, it travels back and forth to work with me every day. And I’d be bereft if I lost this one – I think I’ve had it for something like 15+ years! I made my first blocks yesterday and I will definitely keep you posted. Thanks for commenting! -kris