Garden gadgets lighten your load
By Roger Fillion, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published June 1, 2008 at 8 p.m.
Photo by Illustration by Amy Speer © The Rocky
You'll love 'em; you'll love 'em a lot
Garden Groom Midi Hedge Trimmer
Brookstone Mosquito Trap
Claber Aquadue Duplo Water Timer
Rapitest Electronic 4 Way Analyzer #1880
Not everyone is blessed with a green thumb. Some of us can use all the help we can get.
So we turned to the world of high technology to find ways to simplify chores and have a greener, more beautiful garden. Or maybe just cool gadgets.
Options abound.
How about letting a robot cut your grass while you enjoy a cool one loafing in the porch swing?
"It's our smartest, highest-tech model," said John Tarvin, marketing manager at Kyodo America, supplier of the robotic mower featured here. "It will do an acre right out of the box."
Another gadget that caught our eye was a solar-powered birdbath and fountain. That struck us as environmentally friendly in this day and age of carbon footprints.
We know that good soil is key to having a healthy and productive garden.
The electronic meter featured here checks your soil's pH and moisture, and the level of light your plants are receiving - among other things.
Water is key, too. A dual water timer will allow you to water two plots from the same hose bib - and at different times of the day.
"You're customizing your own type of (watering) cycle," Debra Jaros, operations manager at Claber Inc., said of her company's electronic water timer.
Garden Groom Midi Hedge Trimmer
This hedge trimmer will collect your clippings. It uses a rotary cutting blade that cuts and shreds the clippings using a scissorlike action. An onboard container will hold the clippings, which can be tossed on a compost pile. The trimmer is designed to cut all types of hedge.
* Price: $149.95
* Company: Allstar Marketing Group
* Web site: buygardengroom.com
Brookstone Mosquito Trap
Rather than you swatting mosquitoes, this gizmo disposes of them electronically. It uses a mix of attract- ants - heat, CO2 and a "safe" chemical - to draw in the bloodsuckers. Once drawn toward the trap, an ultraviolet light disrupts their vision. A fan sucks the critter into the trap, which disposes of the bug. Can be used indoors and out.
* Price: $149.95
* Company: Brookstone
* Web site: brookstone.com
Rapitest Electronic 4 Way Analyzer #1880
This meter allows you to monitor the condition of soil pH, soil moisture, light intensity and the combined levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. To use, poke the meter into a soil sample and move the selector to the test you want performed. Light is measured by putting the installed photocell at leaf level and pointing it at the light source. A chart tells you how all your readings stack up against desired levels.
* Price: $34.99
* Company: Luster Leaf Products Inc.
* Web site: lusterleaf.com
San Remo Solar-powered Birdbath Fountain
Birds visiting your yard can splash around in this environmentally friendly fountain, which doesn't require electricity. The pump that powers the fountain gets its juice from the sun. If the sun isn't shining, the pump stops and the fountain becomes a regular birdbath - minus the spouting water. The fountain is made from a resin. The lighter weight makes it easier to move.
* Price: $249.95
* Company: RSR Sales Inc.
* Web site: echovalley.com
Claber Aquadue Duplo Water Timer
You can water two separate plots automatically and for different periods with this dual timer - and do it all from one hose bib. That way, you can water two plots requiring different watering cycles. The timer can be programmed to provide up to three starts a day for each line. Recommended for larger gardens, greenhouses and small farms.
* Price: $124.99
* Company: Claber Inc.
* Web site: claberinc.com
LawnBott LB 3500 Robotic Mower
What better way to mow the lawn than to let a robot do the work? You can program this one for when to cut the grass using a Blue-tooth compatible cell phone or PDA. A perimeter cable emits a signal that defines the mowing area. The robot will cut an acre "out of the box." It will mow a straight line until it bumps into a tree or other object. Then turn. When done, the robot returns to its charging station to rejuice.
* Price: $3,249
* Company: Kyodo America
* Web site: lawnbott.com
fillionr@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2467
Featured
-
Legislature Blog
Read live updates from the opening of the 2009 legislative session.
-
Rocky multimedia
The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.
-
Who's next?
Complete coverage of the Broncos' search for a new coach.
-
Rocky year in photos
View an audio slide show of staff selections from 2008.
-
Winter Escapes
Your insider’s guide to the copious joys of the coolest season.
-
Sam Adams' Open Mic
Open Mic: Two-man advantage with Avs
-
Shanahan's career
See photos from Mike Shanahan's career as Broncos coach.
-
12 days of Drew
Look back at the year that has been with Drew Litton.
-
A dream fulfilled
A Rocky Mountain News and MediaStorm production
Post your comment
Registration is required. Click here to create your free user account, or login below.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.