Garden “Toolkit”
- Garden gloves
- Hand spade/trowel
- Cotton swabs or a few watercolor brushes for hand pollination if necessary
- Watering can and/or easy hose access
- Potting soil (ensure suitable for outdoor containers and plant types selected); organic if preferred
- Mulch or mulch covers (ensure food safe as applicable) to promote soil warmth for germination, improve moisture retention, weed prevention
- Examples:
- straw
- natural bark/wood chips (cedar natural bug repellant)
- roll of black plastic landscaping sheeting/mulch (food safe)
- Examples:
- Dolomite (garden lime) to boost early growth via extra magnesium and calcium
- Plant food/fertilizer (organic if preferred)
- Food safe stakes of varied lengths or cut to size (bamboo, wooden, plastic, wire)
- Cages or trellises (nylon, wooden/plastic lattice) if your plant variety dictates
- Plant ties
- Examples:
- Bird netting for protection against chipmunks, rabbits, birds
- Garden net barriers to protect against insects until plants established, and for bird protection if applicable
- Examples:
- Garden netting pouches/sacks to protect fruit/vegetables from pests
- Floating row cover or frost blanket covers
- 2 spray bottles (at least 16 oz.) for misting seedling soil, pesticide/pest prevention application
- 8 oz. castile soap (unscented or mint), ingredient for natural pesticide/pest deterrent application
- 8 oz. neem oil (cold pressed) for plants, ingredient for natural pesticide
- BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray or concentrate
- Fish emulsion/fertilizer – one quart (Example of our preferred brand)
- Kelp/seaweed extract – one quart
- Epsom salt for growth boost for select plants
- Baking soda
- Food-grade diatomaceous earth
- Resusable plastic plant/garden labels
- Garden twine
- Garden shears/scissors
- Terra cotta watering spikes (recommended if not using a self-contained system with water reservoir)