9 Outdoor Product Recommendations for 2019

Here is the ultimate must-have list of outdoor products for 2019.

No, seriously, but they may make your outdoor tasks and life a little easier or less expensive.

There are many others, but here we go.

The Trake

This is a wonderful tool - a trowel and rake combined. Although many people aren't aware of this little jewel, it's been around for a while and it's always in my black box on every project.

And, it's not like they simply joined the two tools on a single shaft - some thought went into this.

Not only for the obvious uses, I use the Trake for removing broad leaf weeds, separating climbing vines from most everything, perfect depth for checking soil moisture and the trowel is just right for putting mayo on a jumbo BLT...local seasonal tomatoes, of course. (Killer tomato growing secret is coming soon.)

Several places sell this and perhaps manufacturer it, but I believe the Real McCoy can be found at https://www.henfeathers.com/trake-garden-tool.html. It's where I get mine.



Rubber Water Hose

A rubber hose, preferably with brass fittings. Yes, this is your grandfather's water hose and it may have or will outlive him, particularly if housed in the next recommended product.

I don't know if there was some effort at some time (WWII?) to conserve rubber trees (There are many other high volume users of such.), but true rubber water hoses rarely kink, better keep their shape and coil and reel more easily. If that bright neon thing with what appears to be some type of metallic braiding is sitting on the big box or hardware store shelf and is emblazoned with Never Kinks, chances are good, it will kink, right out of the packaging.

I know people who have had the same rubber water hose for 20 to 30 years, particularly if housed in the following.

Suncast Hose Hideaway Reel

A good (rubber) water hose will last a very, very long time kept out of the sun and will be easy to deal with when reeled up after use.

It shouldn't be difficult to make a good hose reel, but there are some cheap products out there. This one is not and also blocks UV rays.

It's not flimsy and poorly molded plastic put together by some junior high school shop class. Use it for that non-rubber cheap hose if you must.

Check it out at https://www.suncast.com/home-garden/hose-reels/hideaways/phh100.html.

Hot Pepper Suet
If you want to enjoy and feed our feathered friends and not the squirrels and other flightless thieving critters, then you need to get some Hot Pepper Suet.

I got mine at Wild Birds Unlimited on Forest Drive and was so impressed with it I had to go down and interview the owners to learn more. They'll be glad to tell you how it works, and it does.

Feel free to read an article of mine about this at https://shootsandmatters.blogspot.com/2018/04/red-hots-get-your-red-hots-here.html and/or go to https://www.wbu.com/products/suet/hot-pepper-no-melt-suet/ to learn more about the product.


Cotton Canvas Gloves

I have rose gloves, which I use more on hollies than roses, and I have some other heavy duty gloves, which I rarely use. When I am working with plants and hand tools I need some tactile feel and some dexterity. I don't need some heavy, thick glove completely covered in some man-made material.

These guys are cotton canvas with dotted palms (probably rubber) for a better grip, but not cumbersome and run about $19.00 for six pairs. They are gold to me, but at that price, I simply wash them until they are useless.

I know some of you ladies may want to make a fashion statement (Who's watching? Huh?) on your property, but not having sweaty and shriveled hands, and having a gorgeous property may be more appealing.

There are probably several brands and sellers, but Walmart has usually stocked these on their shelves.

Knee Pads

There are knee pads and there are kneeling pads. Kneeling pads are typically a single pad which accommodates both of one's knees, but needs to be placed before you kneel. Knee pads, in some fashion, are attached to your knees - they are with you wherever you go as long as you are wearing them.

I'm not against kneeling pads, but you have to move them with you - you may forget where you last used it or you assume it's there and it's not. You kneel down on a young tree stump which wasn't properly removed, a small sharp edged rock, some other sharp man-made object under the mulch or a substantial piece of glass left from Lord knows when.

The pair you see truly looks cheap, not simply inexpensive. I have purchased three of these over four years and I do a lot of hand and knee work. And, kneeling allows you to get closer to what you are working on and is easier and healthier, physically, than bending over or stooping. I like to be down there amongst the plant matter.

This product has never failed me - I just wear them out. The pair shown retails at Lowe's for $4.98.

Whetstone for Sharpening Hand Tools and More

Using dull cutting tools can be bad for plants, less efficient and effective, frustrating and can cause more wear on your joints and muscles. You wet, not whet, the stone before and during use.

A whetstone is usually a two-sided, coarse and fine grade, textured stone used to sharpen metal blades. It is more commonly used for sharpening open-blade edges such as those found on culinary knives whereas the whetstone is placed on a firm horizontal surface and the blade of the knife is run along its surface at certain angles.

Well, most pruning and gardening hand tool blades aren't so open or accessible so I usually steady the tool and run the whetstone against the blade. I once considered using a bench wheel grinder, but found I can sharpen most hand tools in a matter of minutes or less and I feel I have more control. My different chainsaws require another sharpening tool and require more time.

I won't dare provide instructions for using a whetstone as there are many videos on YouTube that do a good job of explaining how to do this.

My only advice is: Be safe. Be methodical. Hone at a 15 to 20 degree angle. Don't try to change the shape of the blade angle. If a two-sided blade, use the same number of strokes on each side. Using the underside of your thumb, run it down, perpendicular to the blade, to check for sharpness or any gauges or inconsistencies. Be safe. Take the opportunity to use this with your kitchen knives.

Neem Oil

Neem oil is an organic oil which can be used as a fungicide, miticide and/or insecticide depending on how it is mixed with water. It is my go-to treatment when I don't believe a plant is infected with a serious disease which requires hardcore chemicals. You most likely have products in your home which contain neem oil and many of those are for your skin.

It can be applied on small areas with a hand spray bottle or for larger areas, a pump spray canister. It can dilute over time to the point of being ineffective so do your best to mix only the quantity needed for the task at hand.

Historically, in the Midlands, I have most often used neem oil on camellias and sasanquas experiencing powdery white mildew or scale because of not-enough sunlight, limited airflow, too much moisture or a mix of these conditions. I have also used this on understory plants suffering from black mildew brought about from trees experiencing honeydew above them.

Walmart sells this for $9.74 as a concentrate and it goes a long way.

Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden

If you love plants and gardening, you'll love this book. If you love Charleston and South Carolina history, you will love this book.

Either way, it is a good read and it's not simply about plants, gardens and architecture. You may discover something about yourself.

You most likely will not find this at a local bookstore (wherever that is) or library, so check on-line.

Some customer of mine has my copy. Oh well, never to be seen again.



And, the formula for growing Killer Tomatoes is coming soon if only the Mater Master would get off his ass and send me the info.

I am nicknaming him the ProcrastiMater.