Colleen’s Favorite Things
Every day I recommend gardening stuff to my customers. I decided to make this page to share my recommendations with everyone. Some of these items below link to independent websites. I do not get any commissions from those items. Many of these items below link to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases. I promise that every item on this page is something that I actually use, or very close to what I actually use (in cases where the original is no longer available). I will not endorse anything without trying it and loving it first. If you can find these items at a locally-owned nursery, please get them there to support your locally-owned businesses. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening Book
Written by Texas organic gardening legends J. Howard Garrett and C. Malcom Beck, I love the way they lay out basic veggie info for both the beginner gardener and expert gardeners alike. I also admire their expansive view of what is considered a “vegetable” by adding info about useful plants like aloe vera. I still refer to this book whenever planting any veg.
#CommissionsEarned
iLive Bluetooth Indoor and Outdoor Waterproof Speakers
Hey, Hey! I really like these. I will admit they were sent to me for free as a sample because I have a radio show and podcast. But I like them so much I am going to buy a second pair for my backyard. The cool thing about them is that they are rechargeable and they also have solar panels that help recharge the batteries so you don't have to plug them in very often. The Bluetooth connection was easy to set up. I use them to listen to my favorite podcasts while gardening and then we have friends over for happy hour we got our jams on them. #commissionsearned
Dutch Hoe
This tool was recommended by Roy Diblik in his book, “The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden”, so I grabbed one for myself. I really like it for knocking down large numbers of small weed seedlings, like cleavers and hedge parsley in the late winter. It only works in loose soil, loose mulch like pine straw or leaves, and gravel. It will not work on hardwood mulch. The high carbon steel is rust-resistant and you can sharpen the edge of it. It’s so simple but you will feel like a gardening genius when you use it. #commissionsearned
Orchard Loppers from Corona
Not just for orchards anymore… for any type of woody branch that is bigger around than a pencil. I love the simple design of these loppers. The bumpers help reduce impact on your arms, and I love the grips. The curved blade is easy to sharpen. This simple tool is easy to maintain and lasts forever. They are a little heavy for me sometimes, but I haven’t found any that are better than these. Commissions earned from this product.
Badger Sport Sunscreen
My dermatologist told me I have done a great job protecting my skin from the sun. This is the only sunscreen I use. I have very sensitive skin and most sunscreens sting, especially when I start to sweat. Every morning I use this on my forearms. I mix it with a little of my regular lotion and aloe vera gel to use on my face. It is extremely sticky and greasy and heavy and definitely not for everyone, but for me outside every day in Texas with fair skin…it’s the BEST. #commissionsearned
Sharpening Tool
This is a handy little tool to keep in your holster with your pruners. You can also use it to sharpen loppers. It is easy to use, and I use mine almost every day when I use my pruners. Having sharp tools is better for your arms, wrists and fingers, and it is much healthier for your plants too. All you have to do to use this tool is drag it along the beveled edge of your pruners at the same angle as the bevel. Commissions earned if you buy it on Amazon, and I believe this is also available at locally owned nurseries around Austin too.
Mosquito Repellent Incense
Light one of these up and stick it in the ground near you when you are gardening. It seems to help keep mosquitoes away, however I always put repellent on my body so I can’t say for sure if it really makes a difference. Even if it doesn’t it smells really, really good and the large size makes it a fun novelty item. I can’t get enough of them. I get a commission from Amazon for this item.
Sense of Motion Footwear, Urban Trekker
I am extremely picky about shoes. I have always had problems with my feet, I even had to have surgery on my feet a few years back. Whenever I buy shoes I always have buyers remorse. When I got these Urban Trekkers from SOM, my husband pointed out that it is the only pair of shoes that I did not complain about. They aren’t the prettiest. However, they are waterproof- great for dewy mornings, lightweight and not too hot. The footbed is very wide. They look professional-ish for outdoorsy folks, who often stop me to ask about them. They are made in Colorado too so no sweatshop guilt. Mine have lasted a very long time. I don’t get a commission for these items.
Soaker Hoses
Soaker hoses are an ultra-efficient and inexpensive way to water your landscape. It is easier than a drip system to instal especially if you get the right soaker hose.
This link to Amazon is for a soaker hose. I get commissions from sales of this hose if you click through to Amazon. I have not used this exact soaker hose, but it has features that are very important to me. If I were going to buy a new one this is what I would get. Here’s why:
Brass connections on each end- NOT PLASTIC
Made of rubber- NOT PLASTIC
Round- NOT FLAT- the flat ones are meant for straight rows in vegetable gardens. If you are using this for flower beds or a veg garden that is not straight rows, do not get anything flat.
5/8” diameter, not 1/2” which is too skinny and kinks more easily and also has a tendency to blow out under high pressure
100’ length- anything longer than that usually does not work because the average home water pressure is not strong enough to fill the whole hose.
No built-in pressure reducer- most homes have low enough water pressure already so the soaker hoses with pressure reducers do not work. Consider your own particular situation when purchasing.
Citrus: Complete Guide to Selecting and Growing More Than 100 Varieties for California, Arizona, Texas, the Gulf Coast And Florida
This easy to read and reference guide by Lance Walheim is my go-to resource whenever I have a question about my Mexican Lime tree. Sometimes I am stumped by a citrus question from a radio show listener, and this book has the answers. I get commissions if you click below to buy this book.
Espoma Citrus Tone Fertilizer
Many of my customers and followers know I have a beloved Key Lime/Mexican Lime tree that requires special care. One of the things I do to get an awesome lime harvest is monthly fertilization with Espoma Citrus Tone. My key lime tree is in a pot, so it is entirely dependent on me for nutrition and water. Any plants in pots or containers need fertilizer. I always go with organic fertilizer, and Espoma is the best. Espoma also adds beneficial microorganisms to their formula to colonize the potting soil in your pot so they can break down nutrients in the potting soil snd make the nutrients available to your plants. I have gotten excellent results with Espoma on my potted citrus. I get commissions from these sales.
Stirrup Hoe
This tool is specifically used for removing tiny weeds in gravel or sand. If you have gravel walkways or a decomposed granite patio, this is the tool for you! Otherwise it is not super useful. It is not good for removing big weeds that are well established. This is meant for seedlings. It will save you a tremendous amount of time if you get those little weeds when they are seedlings. I chose this particular brand because of the bolts in the handle that hold the hoe on. It is less likely to fall apart than a riveted tool. I also chose this one because it is lighter weight than the others I saw. I get a commission from this sale.
Fiskars 4-Claw Stand Up Weeder, formerly known as the “Uproot Weeder”
I like this weeder so much I am recommending it here even though it is not part of the Amazon Affiliate program. This thing is awesome for any weeds with a tap root or a rosette of leaves, hedge parsley before it bolts and clover burs. For added satisfaction, fill the hole that this tool leaves with a handful of desirable wildflower seeds mixed with sand and compost.
So, #NOcommissionsearned
Root Slayer Shovel
Ok, this one is good for digging up seedlings of unwanted trees, like the 80,000 Chinaberry seedlings I used to have in my backyard. I don’t use it for any plants that I want to preserve, it is meant for destruction, not transplanting. I got mine at The Natural Gardener in Austin after one of their staff members recommended it. If you buy it here on Amazon I will get a commission.
Swamp Gator Bug Spray
I have tried A LOT of these kind of deet-free, hippy bug repellents over the years, and this is the only one I like. I have even tried homemade herbal recipes but they didn’t work. Swamp Gator smells nice and it isn’t too greasy, and the bottle lasts a long time- it’s a much better value than others. It does not work for chiggers. But it works well for mosquitoes. I am not a person that the mosquitoes love, I get attacked an average amount. If you’re a person who gets severe mosquito attacks, it may not work for you. I use it every day for normal mosquito situations. If I am going into an area with a really bad mosquito population or an area that is overgrown where chiggers are likely, I will use deet on my clothes. I try not to get deet on my skin and I try not to use it every day. Swamp Gator added bonus- I have found that if you get bitten by mosquitoes and put the Samp Gator on the bites afterwards, it helps soothe the itching. #comissionsearned
Short Handled Loppers from Corona
When I got these I wasn’t sure I would like them, but they are extremely handy. I use them for pruning woody perennials in the winter to remove the dead tops, like esperanza and lantana. Great for roses and fruit trees too. They are lightweight and easy to maintain. I wish they had bumpers. The grips are very helpful. #comissionsearned
Tula Ranch Hat
Speaking of protecting your skin from the sun, I freaking love Tula hats! One day I showed up for a consultation wearing this hat at a home in South Austin. The woman answered the door and said “Oh you are wearing a Tula hat! That’s my company”. I was delighted to meet the designer of these durable hats, and she explained to me that they have a close relationship with the folks who make them in Mexico. I have many different styles of Tula hats but this one is the best for gardeners because of the holes in the top so it doesn't get so hot. They are available at many locally owned shops in Austin. If you order them here I get a commission from Amazon. I sincerely recommend getting 3- one to keep by the back door, one to keep by the front door and one for your car/truck. The leather strap helps hold it on in high winds as well as an elastic band around the inside of the hat. It’s windy here all the time.
Border Spade
I was fortunate to be introduced to the border spade early in my career. They seem to be more popular with European gardeners, but I find my border spades to be quite useful. The one I linked to is not the exact type that I have. The ones I have are no longer available, but that is ok because they are flimsy. When I get a new one this is the one I will get. The stainless steel will be very rigid and rust-resistant. You can sharpen the edge of it if you like. I also always look for rivets or bolts to hold the handle onto the spade. This tool is useful for transplanting, the short handle is good for tight spots. I also use it for small planting jobs because it is lighter than my shovel. It’s great for dividing plants and scraping up turfgrass and weeds. This one also appears to be relatively lightweight compared to the ones made entirely of steel. I get commissions from this product on Amazon.
Sloggers Boots
I get a ton of compliments on my slogger rain boots. Mine are yellow with poppies on them. Check out all the good patterns they have. They fit correctly, last a very long time and are made in USA. I get a commission for sales via Amazon.
Landscape Staples
If you are going to instal a soaker hose, drip system or do any air layering to propagate plants, I recommend heavy-duty landscape staples. For soaker hoses it helps to put one staple every foot to hold it in place and keep it from kinking. These staples are made out of galvanized steel wire. I added a diagram above of wire gauges to show that the higher the gauge number, shown at the top of the diagram, the skinnier the wire. Opposite of what you would think! So, get 8 gauge landscape staples. Anything skinnier will bend and that makes me very angry. Avoid any that are higher than 8 gauge. I have had a few very bad days because of cheap skinny landscape staples. This link is to Amazon, and I get commissions if you click on my page to buy these staples. I have not bought these particular staples myself, and when I need more staples I am going to buy these.
The Southern Orchard Month-by-Month By Trey Watson
Trey Watson of Legg Creek Farm gives details on how to care for your fruit trees each month in this easy to follow book. Clear instructions are invaluable! I get commissions if you buy the book from Amazon.
Emboss-O-Tag
These are the best plant labels for woody plants like fruit trees. When I label my fruit trees I use a ball point pen to make an indentation into these aluminum tags. I put the common name of the plant, botanical name, variety, the date I planted it, how big the plant was at planting (e.g. 1 Gallon Pot), and where I got the plant. Then I connect the tag to the plant using the wires that come with the tags. These tags are the best because the metal is thicker than others I have tried and there is a piece of cardboard in the middle that makes it easy to write on and you can write on 2 sides. This is a crucial part of any orchard or rose garden I design. All of my fruit trees and roses are tagged this way. Made in USA too! I get commissions from these awesome plant tags on Amazon.
Tecnu Poison Ivy Oil Treatment
If you have to get into poison ivy and can’t avoid it, Tecnu is great for cleaning your clothes, tools and shoes after touching poison ivy. You can also use it on your skin as a preventative before the rash starts. In addition it can help prevent a rash from spreading if you already have a rash caused by poison ivy. The only tricky part is remembering to use it! Follow the directions on the bottle very closely otherwise it won’t work. I get commissions if you click here and make a purchase.
Medina Hasta Gro Liquid Fertilizer
This fertilizer is for use on plants in containers and pots only. It is particularly good for plants that make flowers and fruit like tomatoes, citrus and hibiscus. It is organic, made by a Texas company and won't stain your patio. I also like that it isn’t super smelly. Do not use on plants in the landscape because it is not compatible with most of the soils in Central Texas, if you use it on native soil you will most likely cause nutrient imbalances, especially too much phosphorus. I use this fertilizer on my key lime tree which is in a very large pot. I only got a few fruits when I first started growing my key lime tree. After I started using this fertilizer I got three times as much fruit. #comissionsearned #enjoyallthefruit
Japanese Weeder-Scraper-Hoe
This is a tool that I always carry with me. I use it for planting 6 packs of veggies, 4” annuals and perennials and scraping weed seedlings. I use the pointy part to pry up clumps of bermudagrass and weeds with taproots like hedge parsley. I also use the pointy part to plant seeds. Also good for weeding in cracks. This is not the exact model that I use, the one I have is no longer available. I chose to feature this one because it has a hole in the handle with a leather loop to make it easy to carry with you. I slip the loop over the holster that I use for my pruners. #CommissionsEarned
Digging Fork
Every gardener with clay soil needs this tool. It’s great for transplanting, harvesting root crops, double digging your vegetable gardening and dividing bulbs. The short handle makes it good for getting into tight spaces, like up against a fence, or between bigger plants. I do not use this exact type of digging fork. The kind I have is no longer available. I chose this one because the tines are stainless steel so it won’t rust, and there is a rivet to hold the tines onto the handle so the handle won’t separate from the tines. If you wipe down the handle with oil now and then it will last a long time. #comissionsearned
Felco #7 Pruners with Holster
Perhaps you are fancy enough to call them “secateurs” but I am not. You are worthy of these pruners if:
Your loved ones have asked you to please, please, please keep your eyes on the road instead of looking at plants while driving.
You actually enjoy taking pruners apart to clean them, sharpen them, oil them and whisper sweet nothings to them.
There are more seeds and bulbs in your fridge than actual food.
For the truly plant-obsessed, these over-engineered pruners are a dream. You can open and close them with one hand. Every part is replaceable so if something gets lost or the blade dulls out you don’t need to buy a whole new pair. The holster is crucial for not loosing them unless you use an apron while gardening. The steel is wonderful and easy to sharpen and does not dull easily. The ergonomic handle takes some getting used to but saves you a lot of elbow, forearm, wrist and finger strain as long as you oil it regularly. If you are gardening every day you need these. If you have small hands I do not recommend them. I get commissions from all the Amazon links in this post. I know some of these models are available at the Natural Gardener in Austin. I do not get a commission from Natural Gardener but I do get a lot of customers from them and love them very much.
Nitrile Gloves
I have a hard time gardening without gloves, but when I have gloves on I feel like I can do anything from tearing up Bermudagrass roots to squishing bugs. This type of glove makes it easy to grip tools and will protect your skin from bugs, sunburn and abrasions. It also gives you enough dexterity to feel comfy and be able to sense what you are doing. I like to recommend the Womanswork brand because of what they stand for. They make a fabulous gift. But I would be lying to you if I told you I spent $12 on one pair. I just tear through them, I mean, I destroy them so fast I just can’t justify the cost. So I get the economy packs regularly. I recommend leaving pairs all over the place so you always have them ready. I get commissions from all the links in this post.
Hat Holder
If you get a very nice Tula hat then you need a place to put it in the truck. Otherwise it will get squished under plants or bags of fertilizer. Or worse, you won’t remember to bring it with you. This way it can live in the car full time. #commissionsearned
Native American Seed LIVE ROOTS
Native American Seed is a visionary company in Junction, TX. They are known for their wildflower seed mixes. But most gardeners don’t know that they offer live roots of some species too, including Texas Bluegrass, one of my favorite plants. I think the live roots are an incredible value. Seeds can be hard to start, and sometimes gardeners struggle to get wildflower seeds to germinate. Planting live roots in addition to seed can give you better odds of success. I do not get a commission for recommending these live roots, I just love them so much I gotta list them here! It’s a family-owned company and they are really nice Texas people.
Bend Soap Company Lotion
I have very sensitive skin and it gets beat up all the time from gardening, and it gets dried out with the hard water we have in Austin. This is the only lotion that doesn’t irritate my skin. I first tried it when I was on vacation in Portland, Oregon visiting my bestie. I was hooked. Now it is my every day lotion for body and face. In the summer I mix it with a little aloe vera gel and sunblock for my face. #commissionsearned
The Little Round Sprinkler
QVS 004113 Naan Irrigator Sprinkler 30 ' Round Carded, No Size, Yellow. This sprinkler was recommended to me by my friend, Leah Churner, co-host of the Horticulturati Podcast. It is perfect for large areas of native and well adapted perennial plants. My front yard, which I lovingly refer to as “The Everything Garden” is entirely perennials, and I can efficiently water 1/3 of it with this sprinkler. Leah recommends running it on low pressure so it goes “blub blub blub” to soak smaller areas more deeply. It is extremely durable so as you’re dragging it around and tossing it on the ground it won’t break. I recommend using it with a quick connect, also found on this page. I get commissions from sales of this item if you click through my site to Amazon.
Brass Quick Connects For Water Hoses, Nozzles, Soaker Hoses and Sprinklers
I get commissions from sales of this item if you click through my site to Amazon.
Ok so, if you have hard water like most people in Austin, if you put a nozzle on your garden hose it is probably going to get stuck to your hose and never come off. It’s also really hard to screw watering accessories together. It is possible, even likely that your hose will get permanently welded to your faucet because of the minerals in our water. At my house, my faucets are very low to the ground and that makes it hard for me to attach the hose to them. I promise these quick connects make everything easier and makes it so your hoses don’t get stuck on the faucet, the nozzles don’t get stuck on the hose, you can easily connect soaker hoses to your garden hose, etc. Attach a “female” quick connect part onto the hose or the sprinkler, depending on the situation, then attach a “male” counterpart. Then the quick connect snaps together. I like this type because they are entirely made of brass and NOT PLASTIC which is polluting, not recyclable, and will degrade and break in Texas sun after just a few weeks. Here is a video from someone I don’t know about how to use one. I chose this video because it is only 3 mins long and shows you how to set up any quick connect.
Susan Poizner’s Fruit Tree Books
Susan Poizner of the fruit tree education site, Orchardpeople.com has incredible books and publications for home orchardists living in the city. If you are new to fruit trees, her books are the perfect place to start. Her online courses are amazing too, and you may have noticed the badge on my home page showing my Certificate in Fruit Tree Care.
Tree Tie Webbing
This stuff is the best! So handy to have around the house. But its primary use is for securing trees to stakes. The tree tie webbing is used instead of wire, string or ropes. It won’t degrade in Texas sun like plastic ties. The soft material will not damage tree trunks or branches but it is strong enough to hold the tree in place. I get a commission from the sale of this item.
Snow Cone Syrup Pump for 1 Gallon Jugs of Fertilizer
I have a picture of a Hawaiian Shave Ice here because I love frozen treats. AND because you can get the same pump handles that snow cone shops use to dispense syrups to measure out doses of fertilizer from 1 gallon bottles! So if you get Medina Hasta Gro in a 1 gallon jug, you don’t have to try to pour it into a measuring cup every time you want to use it. Add one of these dispensers to the top and every pump is equal to one ounce of fertilizer concentrate. So much easier! I get a commission if you buy this item.