Home and Garden Supplies

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I was surprised to find my push mower is actually easier to use than the power mower. It's so much lighter. Back-ups, turns, tight spots, straight-aways. All easier. And no pollution!  I recommend this American Lawn Mowing Co. mower. It's similar to mine and is compatible with this sharpening kit. I don't have a bag attached to mine and find it not necessary. (I think you'll need a different model if you want that.) Plus the bags are probably synthetic (plastic). The grass clippings have moisture and nutrients and will nourish the lawn before biodegrading naturally. The downside to the reel mower is the cut is not as close or as even as with a power mower. I'm ok with that. If you want more of a golf course look, this may not be the best choice.

Garden Helper has made gardening tools in Japan since 1960. Using mostly traditional uncomplicated materials like steel and birch wood, the tools are made in Sanjo City, a hub for Japanese cutlery and hardware. All the hand tools have a hole at the end of the handle for easy hanging. You might be asking, why these particular garden tools? Aren't they all more or less the same on the eco-friendly front? No. I found what I thought was a nice set of tools made from stainless steel with wood handles. Nice that is until I saw the leather loops at the end of each handle to hang them from. Definitely not cruelty-free tools. Other tools have plastic handles and other eco-unfriendly materials. 

Grampa’s Weeder makes it easy to pull weeds from the lawn while still standing up. This tool’s long 45-inch handle and nifty design avoids the need to get down on your hands and knees. No uncomfortable bending or pulling. It’s made of bamboo and a four-claw steel head design. This clever design was invented in 1913 in Seattle, Washington and was widely used until 1941 when production stopped so that the metal could be used instead for the war effort. But in 1999, the founder of Grampa’s Weeder happened upon the tool one day in his mother-in-law’s garage and inspiration struck. Impressed with the weeder, he and his wife started Grampa’s Gardenware Co. shortly thereafter and have been making this and other tools ever since.

Eartheasy’s stainless steel hose hanger is stronger than plastic and better for the environment. A lot more attractive too. It’s suitable for residential, commercial and marine uses and can be used inside or out. This one holds up to 200 lbs. and is best for lighter hoses and extension cords. The larger “saddle” model is better for heavier hoses. Check the specs on the two descriptions to be sure which is best. These hanger are made in the U.S. and will not rust. 

This garden shed from Eartheasy is made of western red cedar and an SPF (spruce-pine-fir) blend. Inside there are two storage shelves on one side and open space on the other for rakes and other larger tools. The cedar is rot-resistant and the shed even has a quaint cedar roof. The wood is not pressure-treated and there are no toxic preservatives used in the shed's construction. It will weather to a light gray color but Eartheasy recommends staining it once you have it home. Cedar is on the front and the roof and the back and sides are made from a spruce-pine-fir softwood that is lighter than cedar but said to be just as strong. It has double front doors for easy access and vintage black hardware gives it a nice barn look.  Here's more info about the SPF wood. 

Houseplants not only bring the outdoors in, many also help clean the air by producing fresh oxygen and absorbing toxins. Public Goods has a wide variety of houseplants that can be ordered from their site here. They also have stylish stoneware vases and planters, many of which are designed to fit the houseplants they sell.  The greatest thing about the plants is they come not in plastic pots but in biodegradable pulp pots. Potted plants are also a perfect gift for anyone. For every order they receive Public Goods plants a tree through Eden Reforestation and have so far planted over 360,000 trees. They also donate all of their soon-to-be out of date food products to two community food banks in New Jersey.