BillyKnowsBest

The Best Garden Hose Watering Timer: Orbit

Last week I wrote about the Simple Soaker irrigation system, which I hooked up to an Orbit timer.  I chose the Orbit after a fair amount on online research.  I can't vouch for its durability (it's only been in a week), or how it compares to the other brands that didn't fare so well in user reviews online.  But I can say it works just as described, and was easy enough to program.  And the joy of hearing those Simple Soaker sprinklers turn themselves on is worth every penny of the $42.59 it cost.  Buy it online with free shipping from Amazon.com.

The Best Do It Yourself Irrigation System: Simple Soaker

I've been planting pine trees and my usual tomato garden at the beach, and decided it was time to investigate an easy hose-faucet-timer irrigation system.  My beach neighbor Tom suggested the Simple Soaker by LR Nelson.  Indeed, it doesn't get any simpler.  The kit comes with 50 ft of hose and 5 sprinkler heads that sit on stakes that you push into the ground.  Screw the sprinkler head down, and it neatly punctures the hose. No muss, no fuss.  If you screw up the placement of your sprinkler heads, unscrew them, put a plug in the puncture (plugs included) and reposition the sprinkler head. It's $29.13 with free shipping at Amazon.com. 

The Best Tomato Plants By Mail: Burpee and Chileplants.com

Most years I start tomato plants from seeds (easy when I had a greenhouse in LA, hard now that I have a windowsill in Manhattan), but I often augment my self-started seedlings with purchased ones.  I've had the best luck with plants from good ol' Burpee.  This year, I ordered their Best of Show collection.  Six plants, five different varieties, $19.99.  The plants come sturdily packed for shipment, and ready to put in your garden.  Last year, I ordered from Cross Country Nurseries, which was recommended by Organic Gardening magazine, and actually specializes in chile and pepper plants. Overall, I was less pleased with the plants, except for one variety that has earned a permanent place in my small plot: The Black Cherry tomato.  These dark-fruited gems are really meaty, sweet and tasty.  I can't wait to pick the first ones off the vine this year.

Gardens Alive: Organic Fertilizer and Pest Control

  I've been an organic gardener since grade school.  My parents even suffered a big compost pile in our backyard to accommodate my early interest in protecting the planet. And today, though my garden is limited to tomatoes and basil in a 10x10 ft. plot on fire island, I'm still big on using organic growing supplies.  I buy them from Gardens Alive, where you'll save $20 off your first order by clicking from this link.  With seed starting time fast approaching, now is the time to order.

 

The Best Tomato Plant Stake

Most tomato plants are "indeterminate," meaning they just keep continuing to grow upwards. Even the "determinate" varieties can grow tall enough to require staking. In my earliest gardens I used a big wooden stake, and tied the growing trunk to it.  Later, I started using tomato "cages," round or square wire frames that you place around a seedling to contain it's core. But these often crowded the growing plants.

My current favorite is the  Space-Saving Plant Stake from Burpee.  These angled metal stakes combine the strength of a tripod with the convenience of a plant ladder. And they don't require tying -- you just guide the growing branches into the steps of the open framework. And unlike most cages, they're made of heavy powder-coated steel, durable enough for years and years of use. The 5' tall version comes in sets of 5 for $58.95 at Burpee.com.

SoilMoist Soil Conditioner

SoilMoist is a granular polymer that retains over 200 times its weight in water, releasing it to your plants as they need it.  It's great for helping ensure container plants stay hydrated in the hot summer, especially if you can't water them every day.  For plants like tomatoes, it's essential. Tomato plants need lots of water.  And if their soil alternates too often between dry and wet, the tomatoes will crack.  SoilMoist helps make sure that doesn't happen. Simply mix it in to the soil. It lasts 3-5 years, and even comes in a version that includes a timed-release fertilizer, for super care-free gardening. You can buy it at many gardening centers and online gardening retailers.

The Best Tomatoes

The best tomatoes are home grown. No matter where I've lived, I've always grown my own summer tomatoes, even if I had to do it in containers.  Usually, I start from seed, but this year, because of our move, that wasn't practical.  So I ordered seedling plants from Burpee.  While most garden stores have tomato seedlings available, they don't have the selection that Burpee offers. While some varieties are already sold out, it's not too late to order some of your own.  These pictured are Super Sweet 100s. Cherry tomatoes are the easiest to grow for tyro gardeners. And Burpee still has some available. Order some plants today. Tomorrow, I'll give you one of my secret tips for planting them in containers.

Copper Hose Pot

During our "broker's open house" yesterday, I found myself in need of a bathroom. This wouldn't ordinarily be a problem -- we have six of them -- but with a constant stream of real estate agents poking around, there wasn't going to be the privacy or ventilation I needed. So I went next door, only to be accosted in the back yard by an agent for whom English was obviously a second language. "Where do you find such thing? I  have must get one" she asked, pointing to the pretty copper pot that holds our garden hose. I  had to repeat myself three times before a fellow agent, who was fortunately more familiar with both the English language and the Frontgate catalog, volunteered to get her the catalog, freeing me to go relieve myself.