Over the years I’ve tried out all kinds of gardening extras — some I still cherish, others not so much while a few more would likely be perfect for someone with a different garden and very diligent habits.
For instance, slug saloons where the slimy critters drink their way into a happy demise are now manufactured in a larger size with more apertures capable of holding 40 bodies in one night. Forgetting to check slug saloons every day can lead to experiences best forgotten.
A totally beautiful Slug Shield is a scramble of woven copper wire, which you wrap around the plant you want to protect and unwrap when necessary. It would be important to keep up to date with weeding because slugs are quick to cross plant “bridges.”
Another lovely garden accessory is the fake wasp nest said to deter wasps from building nearby.
Regardless of just how far away the real wasps would relocate, the make-believe nest is definitely worth a spot in the garden (or over a doorway) for attractiveness alone.
Another good-looking addition to the garden is the expanding willow wood trellis, which would be a sturdy support for those fascinating but annoying heritage beans that are scrambling types: not sturdy enough to be dwarf beans but too short to be pole beans.
The trellis is also a simple, easy support for cucumbers or short peas. Sometimes peas are planted thickly and left to support each other — and united, they do stand. But picking pods out of this tangle takes a lot more time than trellising them.
This trellis comes in two sizes, expanding to either 4 feet (1.6m) or 8 feet (3.1m). Both are 4 feet (1.6m) high.
One of my favourite accessories is a heating mat for starting seeds fast through bottom heat. My elderly and so useful mat is about 10x20” (25x50cm) but there’s now a windowsill version about 20x3” (6x50cm).
The flexible, light Tubtrugs in a variety of colours look like an improvement on my random collection of detergent buckets, Sprackle pails and other clanky old cast-offs. Each Tubtrug has two handles, and can be squeezed narrowly to pour liquids. There are small (14 litre), medium (26 litre) and large (38 litre) versions.
Topsy Turvey tomato (or strawberry) planters have become very popular. These hanging pots with flowers and fruit cascading down the sides are easy to pick and their high, sunny locations result in more fruit because they’re very visible to pollinating insects.
Seniors might want to make sure they’re strong enough to hang up these planters in spring and take them down in fall. It’s also helpful to ensure soil in these hanging pots is a lightweight mix.
Netting is a universal way of protecting berries and vegetables from birds and animals. But, sadly, birds are especially likely to get tangled in it. Freeing them can be difficult and sometimes heart-breaking.
The smaller mesh sizes keep birds safer while still being excellent deterrents. Half an inch (approximately 1.5cm) is one of the smaller mesh sizes available.
The black Bird D-Fence netting is especially effective over pools. In shady areas it’s almost invisible.
