Home: The Right Stuff Power tools to make your garden grow

Are you ready for the summer? For the best prepped gardens, here’s the tool kit – ’cause here comes the sun By Tara Losinski

GREEN LEAVES

In Gardening With Foliage First, landscape designer Karen Chapman and horticulturist Christina Salwitz prove that greenery is more than just the backdrop for your blooms. Verdant garden scapes, from across Canada and the U.S., act as the inspiration for curated combinations of just the right leaf-bearers. From patio planters to large sweeping borders, the duo deliver plant plans for standout landscapes of any size. And it’s not just about what looks good together. The book includes growing tips and zones for each species as well as which ones benefit each other when grown together and with which flowers. The book is organized by season. As Chapman and Salwitz put it, “With the right foliage palette, your garden could shine with color and texture year-round.”

PORTABLE PLANTER

This sleek container has a couple hidden features we love. First, it’s on casters, making it easy to change location. And a large water reservoir and water level indicator means you’ll be watering less often while avoiding the mess and waste of drain-through planters. Self-watering square Modena a planter (22-inch), $112, Amazon.ca, The Home Depot

IT’S MAGIC!

Made from coconut husks, coir blocks (right) are a lightweight alternative to lugging bags of potting soil or peat when preparing seasonal baskets, planters or even seeding vegetables. Add water and each block expands to eight litres of soil. $5, Lee Valley Tools, leevalley.com

START THEM YOUNG

Pass on your green thumb. Get little ones out in the garden with their very own gear. $8, Home Sense

CUT THE CORD

This cordless washer or waterer can hook up to or draw water from any source. Rechargeable battery power makes it more transportable than traditional power washers while still delivering up to 320 PSI. Worx Hydro shot 20V Portable Water Nozzle, $150, Lowe’s

WITHIN REACH

Extend your range with Yardworks telescoping tools. The carbon blades of these shears feature a nonstick coating for precise, clean cuts. Plus, the lightweight aluminum handles include a gel grip for a comfortable, secure hold. Yardworks Telescopic Grip Shears, $39, Canadian Tire, canadiantire.ca

IT’S NOT QUITE THE BATMOBILE BUT ...

Love the idea of outsourcing? We do, too. Husqvarna’s latest robotic mower can cut up to 1.25 acres on a single charge, rain or shine. Simply set the time of day, frequency and cut height on the mower or remotely via smartphone app. The electric motor is so quiet you can even set it to run overnight. Husqvarna 450X Automower, $4,000, husqvarna.ca

DOLLARS AND SPACE

Working off a single handle with rechargeable battery pack (below), Ryobi’s Expand-It garden series and attachments save on storage, and on money. Plus, use the same battery and charger with up to 70 other Ryobi power tools to save even more. 40V X Expand-It Cordless Trimmer (below left), $248. Expand-It attachments (Hedge Trimmer and Tiller also shown), from $98, The Home Depot

SQUEAKY

Scrub Daddy sponges stay hard in cold water and soften the warmer the rinse. Perfect for tough or delicate jobs, indoor and out. $15 (for 3), Home Outfitters