I like the feel of soil and plants on my bare skin, so I have never been one to faithfully wear gardening gloves. But as I have gotten older, it has become more important to me to protect the backs of my hands from being poked and cut, and to protect them from the sun. I fell in love with MidWest Max Grip gloves (seen above) a few years ago. The spandex and nylon material stretches to give you a snug yet comfortable fit. This allows you to do tedious and delicate things more easily. The fit also helps keep soil and debris out, which has been a problem for me in the past with other gloves. These gloves have just the right amount of nitrile on the palm for maximum dexterity without making your hands hot, with nitrile dots that aid in gripping. When they are dirty, you can toss them in the washing machine. They come in two sizes—small/medium andlarge/XL—and are priced so that you can have numerous pairs around.
Source: walmart.com
Price: $23 to $25 (six pairs)
Tested by Fionuala Campion
Donning my moss-green, elbow-length West County gauntlet rose gloves allows me to tackle roses (Rosa spp. and cvs., Zones 3–10), cane berries, brambles, and other spiky plants fearlessly, knowing they’ll protect me from scratches and punctures. And they remain soft and supple enough to let me switch over to more-nimble gardening chores without having to change gloves. These synthetic suede gauntlets are double reinforced at the palms, thumbs, and finger pads for extra protection, and they have an elastic wrist to stop twigs, leaves, and dirt from getting in. Surprisingly tough for such lightweight, breathable gloves, they’re also machine washable and won’t crack, stiffen, or shrink even after multiple washes. I lost
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Several years ago while shopping at a big-box store, I spotted this tote in the household-cleaning section. In addition to carrying cleaning supplies, it can be used as a shower caddy, but I envisioned it as a garden-tool tote—balanced, sturdy, comfortable to carry, and with holes in each compartment for drainage. I’ve used it for a few years now, switching tools as needed so that I’m always ready for the current job. Cleaning the tote in spring or fall is as easy as removing the tools and spraying it out with a hose.
Although redbuds usually get the most attention in spring when a plethora of magenta-pink blooms burst out of every stem before the leaves emerge, this new cultivar has more to offer. Midnight Express®, a nativar that sports velvety purple leaves, fills out much faster and maintains a denser habit than the similar, more familiar ‘Forest Pansy’. As summer gives way to autumn, the interior heart-shaped leaves shift to a golden yellow-orange, while the outer ones stay burgundy. This gives the small tree the appearance of being on fi re. Silvery, ghostlike bark carries the interest into winter, making this plant a worthy year-round investment.
In 2020, as part of the annual trials at the University of Tennessee Gardens in Jackson, we grew ‘White Flame’ salvia, which was sent to us as a sample plant. It was an excellent performer and received our “Best of Show” award at the end of the season. As with other “annual” salvias, we expected it to die off over the winter. But to my great surprise, it returned the next year—as it has every year since, despite our temperatures dipping below zero on occasion.
There are countless ornamental grasses to choose from, so narrowing down a list of my favorites is tough. However, the following assortment—categorized by their best season of interest—is a good start. Choosing at least one from each season will ensure that your grass-forward garden always has something spectacular going on.
From temperature extremes to shifting rainfall patterns, communities coast to coast are experiencing the increasing impacts of climate change. In many areas summers are hotter and drier, making gardeners more reliant on supplemental irrigation to grow the same plants that thrived for them in years past. Meanwhile, restrictions on watering in some regions make responding to drought more challenging. In the face of unpredictable rainfall and unprecedented temperature fluctuations, it’s more important than ever to invest in plants that can withstand waves of heat and drought.
You’ve measured your outdoor space, you’ve agreed on a style — contemporary, traditional, rustic or more — you’ve determined a budget, now it’s time to look for the perfect garden furniture set.
Would you like to perk up your garden this winter? This guide to the best winter plants for pots has lots of gorgeous plant suggestions to inspire you.