Yard and Garden

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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. 

Eartheasy has a nice selection of raised garden beds like these pictured here. They are made in the US from kiln-dried cedar, which is naturally rot-resistant so it's a great choice for garden beds. The bed's open bottom allows roots to grow into the soil beneath to access nutrients.

Eartheasy’s durable rot-resistant potting bench is made in Canada from solid western red cedar. It has a spacious counter surface for potting, reseeding and arranging plants, a removable wooden sink, a large lower shelf for supplies and a narrow top shelf for tools or other frequently-used items. 

Eartheasy’s garden bench is made in Canada from untreated rot resistant Western Red Cedar. It's about four feet wide and can be used inside as well as outside. It can be left to weather naturally or finished with a wood sealer, stain or paint. 

Garden Helper tools have been made by hand in Japan since 1960, using traditional Japanese craftsmanship and metalworking technology. Many like these are made of stainless steel and beechwood. Many of their hand tools have a hole in the handle for easy hanging in a shed or storage area. Plastic-free means the tools are better for the environment and will last a lot longer than tools that include plastic features. They are made in Sanjo City, a hub for Japanese cutlery and hardware.  

No reason to get a plastic yard rake. It's harmful to the environment at every stage -- from manufacture to disposal. And in between it sheds microplastics into the ground. This handsome rake from Craftsman is just wood and metal. All natural and stronger than plastic too. 

It's hard to avoid the ubiquitous plastic pots in which most plants are sold at garden stores. This kit helps to make small biodegradable starter pots from newspaper to plant seeds and seedlings. They remain intact even as the young plants grow and roots penetrate the newspaper. When plants are ready to transplant, just plant the pots and all into your garden. The newspaper will naturally decompose in the ground. the base is made in Canada.

This decorative and functional rain gauge is made in India of cast iron and glass and collects and measures rainfall. It's handmade through Noah's Ark, a fair trade craft marketing organization in Moradabad, India that also provides benefits such as education and medical treatment for artisans and their families. 

Made in the U.S. with a blend of plant-based oils, this natural bug repellent from Free the Ocean comes as a handy lotion bar so it's easy to put a little on and stow the bar back in its portable metal tin. It contains no synthetics, petroleum products or DEET and is recommend by the CDC. Its ingredients include citronella, cedarwood and neem oils.  

Push mowers are lighter than they used to be ut still a work-out and pollution-free option. This one from American Lawn Mowing Co. mower  is compatible with this sharpening kit. The grass clippings provide moisture and nutrients and will benefit 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. If you want more of a golf course look, this may not be the best choice. 

Eartheasy’s stainless steel hose hanger is stronger than plastic and better for the environment. 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 steel and aluminum wall-mounted tool rack can keep large garden tools within easy reach and save space in your shed or storage areas. It supports up to 300 lbs., including 100 lbs. on the upper shelf. The hanger spacing can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of tools. Also great for beach chairs, hoses, brooms and small ladders.

While most sunscreens come in plastic, some of Badger's sunscreens are packaged in handy round tins. Badger uses zinc oxide as its active ingredient and it's safe for marine life, unlike most chemical sunscreens. Its ingredients are all natural and  it's  broad spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It's cruelty-free and made in the U.S. in a solar-powered factory.

These wide-brimmed summer hats from Wallaroo are made from natural raffia fiber from Madagascar. This one is adjustable via a drawstring around the interior circumference. Wallaroo -- which was inspired by the strong Australia sun and the need for protection from it -- has a huge line of summer hats. 

This surface-top bird feeder is made in Bangladesh. Sculpted in the shape of a lotus leaf and finished in white-washed clay, it features a  bird figurine that perches at the center in a nod to nature. It's made though a local non-profit that works to empower rural women and export and sell handmade crafts. 

Cedar Birdhouse: A bird house is a wonderful gift for just about anyone as long as they have a spot to hang it. Watching birds come and go is relaxing, fun and even educational. This birdhouse has a traditional simple design and is made entirely of cedar and stainless steel rust-free hardware. It’s plastic-free. Cedar is naturally pest and rot resistant so it’s an ideal wood for outdoor use and avoids the need for chemical treatments. 

Sunski’s contemporary sunglasses are made from recycled post-industrial scrap plastic. And they are mailed in a cardboard box cleverly folded inside to cushion the glasses and avoid the need for additional cushioning or a protective plastic bag. The lenses are 100 percent UV protected and polarized. Sunski is a member of One Percent for the Planet, donating one percent of profits to environmental causes.

If you're planning a painting project this spring or summer eco-friendly Ecos Paints is a great choice. The non-toxic line of paint is water-based and made without the hazardous chemicals found in conventional paints, including zero VOCs. Made in South Carolina. They also have an EMF-shielding primer which is helpful for reducing your exposure to radiation at home in at work.

The 16-oz. Lifefactory reusable water bottle is made of glass and has a silicone sleeve to protect against beaking and provide a secure grip. Its flip cap is BPA-free. Lifefactory’s bottles are made in France and the caps are made in the U.S. The wide mouth makes it easy to add ice cubes, lemon wedges or tea bags.  Lifefactory also has glass baby bottles and attachments to turn them into sippy bottles. 

The one-of-a-kind handles of these heavy-duty organic cotton totes are lined with colorful upcycled sari fabric from India, diverting textile waste from landfills. Each purchase directly supports fair trade employment for women in Kolkata, India, empowering communities through ethical labor and sustainable production.

"More planet, less plastic" is the message this tote sends. It's made of 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton. It's strong and long-lasting and the 30" long shoulder bag helps with heavy lifting. 

This canvas tote bag featuring a collection of potted plants is made from cotton and linen. It's unlined and is machine-washable. Great for carrying books, groceries and garden tools. 

This petite iron watering can has a long slender spout and easy to grip hande. It's made in India by Noah's Ark International Exports, a local fair trade handicraft marketing organization founded in 1986. It provides benefits such as education and medical treatment for artisans and their families.

These useful baskets are handwoven in Bangladesh from locally-sourced kaisa grass wrapped with colorful upcycled used cotton saris. This use of saris keeps a large volume of the fabric from landfills. The baskets are made by local crafters though Hajiganj, a women-led enterprise. As environmentalists, they work to keep waste out of landfills and waterways by using renewable and recycled materials.