Who Needs The EasyBloom Plant Sensor

The EasyBloom Plant Sensor is the perfect product for that tech-savvy gardener. EasyBloom’s manufacturer, San Francisco-based company PlantSense, said they wanted to bring greenhouse operator technology to amateur gardeners. In one test, EasyBloom took in 129 data points over 30 hours and recommended 321 plants for that specific soil and conditions. While guesswork can sometimes be a fun part of the process, EasyBloom provides you with solutions to ailing plants and plant suggestions you may have never thought of before.

To use the EasyBloom Plant Sensor, you plug it into a computer’s USB port to register, download the necessary software program and access the online plant library. Choose a mode, such as Water, Recommend or Monitor. In “Water” mode, you’ll find out if your plants are getting too much or too little water. In “Monitor” mode, EasyBloom will tell you what’s wrong with an ailing plant and give you clues on how to fix it. With “Recommend” mode, EasyBloom will tell you the ideal plants to grow in the given conditions. Next, you place the sensor in the location where you’d like to put your garden, leaving it to analyze for at least 24 hours. As you sleep, the Plant Sensor will begin analyzing the sunlight, temperature, humidity, soil moisture and drainage, using the same technology NASA uses to measure the soil on Mars. Then you can plug your Plant Sensor back into your USB and see what this “Plant Doctor” can do!

The EasyBloom Plant Sensor is intended for beginner gardeners. “Probably the best part of the device is the web interface that provides detailed information on recommended plants,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “It is virtually an on-line encyclopedia and more expansive than the Western Garden Book,” adds another gardener. She adds, “I have never seen a plant monitor like this that is so extensive or thorough with thousands of plants and analysis. This is a must for any serious gardener.” People like being able to save their plant data, analyze their ailing plants and peruse a list of the best plants and flowers for their area. The program’s interface is reportedly “easy to use,” even for those who consider themselves “not very technologically savvy.”

There are some features of the EasyBloom Plant Sensor that could use improvement. Both Barron’s and Gear Diary reviewers complain that you can’t test your soil to see if you need fertilizer or compost, if there are missing minerals or if the soil acidity is off. Yet, according to the EasyBloom website: “While some plants will not thrive if your soil is too acidic or too alkaline, the overwhelming majority of plant failures are actually due to unsuitable light conditions, inhospitable hardiness zone, and under- or over-watering. EasyBloom accounts for all of these factors to make sure your plant is likely to thrive.” For more information, visit www.easybloom.com.

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Garden Experts Talks: Dick Raymond

If you’re looking for a great book about vegetable growing, you’re probably hoping to find full-color photos, easy-to-read charts and well-written descriptions of various planting charts and garden tending methods. Expert gardener Dick Raymond’s top-selling book, Joy of Gardening, borrows from his 40 years of professional experience as a Garden Specialist and mentor. This book has received glowing reviews and has been referred to as “The Gardening Bible.”

Joy of Gardening is full of valuable information for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. First, you’ll learn about Dick Raymond’s “wide row gardening system” and how to create a continual harvest, save hours on weeding and watering, thin out-of-control crops and plant multi-crop rows. You’ll learn about “Salad Gardens,” “Summer Gardens” and “Eat N’ Store Gardens.” In chapter two, you will learn about getting the soil ready, creating raised beds, testing soil for pH and terrace gardens. Chapter 3 advises on how to start planting and how to calculate dates; choosing pots, soil and light; transplanting; tunnel growing and getting an early crop of radishes. Chapter 4 provides you with the tools you need to fight persistent weeds. Chapter 5 talks about garden care topics like mulching, watering, composting, harvesting and fall gardens. Chapter 6 is about “green” manures. Chapter 7 entails root cellar protocol. In this book, you will also learn about a treasure trove of vegetable growing techniques for beans, cabbage, corn, eggplants, green veggies, okra, onions, peanuts, peppers, potatoes, root crops, sunflowers, tomatoes, vine crops and garden perennials. You will also gain insight into pest deterrents and disease prevention.

To grow iceberg lettuce, “All you need is some cool weather in spring or fall,” Raymond writes in Joy of Gardening (p 243). “Get started early; head lettuce needs as much time as possible developing in cool weather, so the earlier you can set out some plants, the better.” Six to eight weeks before the last anticipated frost, Raymond sets to work planting his lettuce in shallow or pyramid flats. Then, he says, “The most important step in early planting is to harden off the plants… after they are about 4 weeks old, I start giving them some time outdoors. That way they can handle unexpected cold snaps and even a light frost.” He puts his lettuce in wide rows in a 20-inch wide seedbed, set 10 inches apart “in a 3-2 pattern down the row, two at the edges and one in the middle in the first row. And two in the next row, each 5 inches in from the edges.” He trims their outside leaves to help the roots recover from shock and he advises to harvest a few as soon as the heads are “softball” size. As they grow, watering regularly will be crucial.

Given the dicey economy, it’s no surprise that seed orders were up 40% in 2008 or that backyard gardens have sprouted up like crazy. Gardens are one of the best investments you can make — giving you high yields and fostering healthier living. Whether you’re working with a full yard, a terrace, a box, a pot or a raised bed, Joy of Gardening can get you started with everything you need to know to create delicious and successful organic food for your family. You can buy this book at www.lehmans.com or www.amazon.com.

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A Healthy Garden Has Friendly Bugs in It!

As humans and stewards of the Earth, we accept the fact that we have to share this planet with other creatures. Birds will nest in our trees, rabbits will hide in our bushes and squirrels will climb on our fences. However, what we don’t want are pests invading and destroying our property, feasting on the gardens we’ve toiled in and kicking up our fresh-sown, mowed lawns with reckless abandon. In the past, gardeners would trap and kill these animals, but many people are looking for humane alternatives. One of the pest deterrents on the market is the P3 International Vibrasonic Mole Chaser #P7906, which promises to get rid of gophers and moles by using vibrations as a deterrent. Unfortunately, its claims are more positive than its consumer reviews.

On Amazon, the P3 International Vibrasonic Mole Chaser #P7906 received a 2.5/5 star rating over the course of 55 consumer reviews. One consumer said they found “four or five fresh mounds within a few feet” of where the product was installed. “I have seen zero effect on mole activity,” the Oregon consumer adds. “The gophers and moles have laughed over the winter, spring and the beginning of summer in Santa Barbara, California,” writes another dissatisfied customer. One Connecticut buyer thought “this thing actually summoned moles” to his yard. Another Connecticut buyer echoed the same sentiment, complaining that he now “actually has more moles” than before and the moles are not only digging but eating flower bulbs and attacking garden plants.

On the other hand, there have been a few favorable reviews of the P3 International Vibrasonic Mole Chaser #P7906. A reviewer from Virginia said this product worked within six weeks to cure his persistent mole problem. A reviewer from Moss Beach, California advised that they should be placed 10-20 feet apart to cover the lawn and be patient. “The gophers are territorial so if they’re making mounds right next to the device, that means it’s annoying them and they’re making a close pass to check out what’s in their territory,” he wrote. The manufacturer’s website also confirms that persistence is the key to encouraging steadfast rodents to move on. Other satisfied buyers advise people to “check their batteries every so often” (every 3-4 months) to be sure it’s still working.

While some people attest to its usefulness, the P3 International Vibrasonic Mole Chaser #P7906 seems to be a bit of a dud overall. One reviewer said he took it apart to find it “just has a small rotor engine inside that vibrates” and this vibrating can be heard from 20 feet away. A couple of buyers commented that it “sounded like a rattlesnake” and when one person actually found a rattlesnake in her yard, she seriously contemplated just throwing the device out. Many consumers hated the increased activity of moles after the installation, but the manufacturer warns that this is normal. Perhaps there is some confusion about the proper way to use this product, the best conditions of usage and the amount of time needed for it to work. Or maybe it’s just another over-hyped piece of junk. Given the split reaction, it’s hard to tell.

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Get Rid of those Garden Pests

“Can’t we all just get along?” gardeners implore, exasperated to keep pests out of their gardens. It can be agonizing to watch plants, fruits and seeds get devoured by rabbits, gophers and birds. Yet not everyone feels comfortable poisoning and killing a wild animal for the sake of sheer “convenience.” Nor do they want to spray harmful pesticides and chemicals on the food they’ll be eating. That’s where the Easy Gardener 8021 Garden Defense Electronic Owl – Sound and Motion Sensored comes in. This cute gizmo scares away garden predators with a turn of its electronic head and a startling “HOOT!” Gardeners can rest easy knowing that their plunder is kept safe by the watchful eye of an animatronic owl.

The manufacturer of the Easy Gardener 8021 Garden Defense Electronic Owl – Sound and Motion Sensored says that this owl “frightens birds, squirrels, rabbits, rodents and other destructive pests,” while also making “an attractive lawn ornament or patio accent.” To use, you simply install the owl on a pole or hang it from a tree. Some people perch the owl up high, while others put it closer to the areas it’s protecting. Sound and motion sensors pick up the movement of animals and cause the owl to elicit a realistic “HOOT!” This model of the Great Horned Owl is intimidating to many other animals and runs off three AA batteries. For the best results, the manufacturer says you should “reposition the owl decoy every few days.”

The ideal use for the Easy Gardener 8021 Garden Defense Electronic Owl – Sound and Motion Sensored is to deter porch pests. Most of the satisfied customers reported having pigeons, sparrows and woodpeckers terrorizing their porches with feathers, nests, seeds, droppings and destruction. Ideally, you should set the owl under a covered area, where it won’t get hit by too many elements, and move the decoy every few days so the animals don’t get too used to it. You will probably need to replace the batteries every two months or so to keep it functioning. Squirrels are also easily deterred by this humane home and garden product.

One reviewer at www.yardlover.com complained, “Maybe I got a defective one, but during the daytime, it never worked. The birds were feasting on my grass seed. But the first night, the darn thing moved its head and hooted all night long while the contented birds slept on a full stomach! The next morning I heard a complaint from the neighbor. I’m sending it back.” Similarly, another reviewer at www.tipshopping.com reported that the owl only hooted and moved once. Some consumers also argue that the owl is “cheaply made.” A consumer reported, “There are some flaws that need attending… it is not water proof.” This reviewer added that some of the plastic breaks off as well. “This Owl worked great until it rained, and then it went wacky!” says another dissatisfied customer. “Now it goes off when the wind blows and sometimes for no apparent reason!” It seems the Easy Gardener 8021 Garden Defense Electronic Owl – Sound and Motion Sensored held a lot of promise but could use some tweaking of its many flaws.

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Gardening Can Beautify Your Home

An exquisite garden can beautify your home more than a new coat of paint.  Gardening does not have to be an expensive change to the appearance of your home, but it can enhance the beauty of any home.  When you think of the most beautiful mansions, you probably think of a beautiful green lawn surrounding the home.  There are probably shrubs that are stately and trimmed with precision.  Flowers deck the gardens of the most beautiful homes.  The gardening experts who do the home landscape design probably command a flock of workers who toil constantly to keep a manor magnificent.

The gardening experts in charge of the grounds of beautiful mansions are highly skilled and experienced, but an amateur can get tips on gardening that these experts contribute to different sources.A gardening expert is not going to change a small cottage into a mansion by adding a garden, but the appearance of a modest home will improve with gardening tips from experts.  A dedicated homeowner armed with advice from these gardening contractors can add the touches in the garden to constantly improve their home. 

Gardening Is More Than Pulling Up Weeds

The first step in effective gardening comes with the planning.A gardening expert does not randomly place flowers and trees as the mood grabs them.  The planning of a beautiful garden is important.Look at the available space before starting.  The trees in the available space should be a primary consideration.  Large trees are not easily moved so all plans might have to revolve around trees that already exist in the garden.  Smaller trees might be removed or transplanted.After the trees are considered, any patio fixtures must be considered.  A brick patio might be difficult but not impossible to move.  Consider the space and then decide if you want more plants and trees to replace part or all of the patio.

The zone of the garden is also an important consideration for a luxurious appearance.An amateur gardener might want to plant orchids, but these may not do so well in an inhospitable climate.  The established gardens in the area will provide clues about the best plants for the area.  Drive around the neighborhood and check out the most beautiful gardens.  The plants in those gardens survive because they are appropriate for the area.  The local nurseries and garden centers will have knowledgeable people that are ready and willing to give advice.  The local newspapers usually have sections especially for gardening advice. 

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