Being a better consumer can make you a better gardener

By Melanie Mathieson
Gardening Guru

As gardening season is about to get underway very soon, the television and retail store circulars are filled with many new garden items that are on sale or being featured for this upcoming season. Currently, the gardening industry is the fastest growing domestic retail industry in North America, with growth of at least 30% annually. Because of this manufacturers are constantly trying to introduce new product to the store shelves. This will include new tools, fertilizers, pesticides, garden ornaments, planters and even new hybrids of plants. With all of the new things to choose from, even the most seasoned gardener can sometimes find it difficult to make wise consumer decisions. This column will cover some does and don’ts when planning your garden purchases this season.
I am all for garden products that save you labour but you still must be careful not to get caught up in some of the products on the market that are not right for your needs or are not a good value for your money. For instance some of the new products seen on TV regularly are the new pre-measured fertilizers you attach to your hose for convenience and a “garden full of flowers”, as they promise. As I always remind you with fertilizers and pesticides you must follow the directions exactly as indicated. Remember more is not better when applying both fertilizers and pesticides around the garden. Make sure when planning to purchase some of these pre-mixed fertilizer products that you take the time to ensure that they are good value for the money. First of all you should know the area of your garden in either imperial or metric dimensions. This way you can compare the coverage these premixed products will give you. You will probably find that you may need to buy two or three of these premixed fertilizer kits in order to apply the fertilizer to your whole garden as directed. Once you determine this, these premixed products are not money saving but actually quite costly. You then need to make the determination as to whether the cost is worth it to you for the convenience these types of products provide. You are probably much better off buying a container of water soluble fertilizer and mixing it yourself or applying a slow release granular fertilizer over your gardens in spring and fall. This isn’t that much more labour intensive than standing with the hose in the hot sun applying fertilizer according to the directions. Also keep in mind when spraying clod water mixed with fertilizer directly on the leaves of your plants you could cause them to burn and turn brown.
You’ll notice in recent advertisements that the pesticide Cygon® has been taken off the market in Canada because it poses a danger to human health. Retailers are suggesting that the pesticide Sevin® is a good replacement for Cygon®. Sevin® is also in the process of being banned for some uses in the United States, because it is very harmful to dogs. Remember that all pesticides are toxic to not only bugs but also pets, and humans. You must use pesticides carefully and responsibly. Do your research first before purchasing pesticides as many of the labels will list that they will kill many types of insects, when in reality they are really ineffective on many of the insects listed. As I always tell you, a tablespoon of Sunlight dish washing soap to one gallon of water and applied thoroughly is the most effective pesticide available. My columns always provide less toxic ways of controlling insects and diseases so think carefully before you resort to toxic pesticides.
Another consumer tip\ for this gardening season is to always be buyer aware when looking at kits of garden supplies or plants. You often see gift packages of hand garden tools, containing the fork, mini-hoe, spade and tined claw at special promotion prices or with a new ornamental design. Please examine the tools carefully as these kits are often put together as a promotion package and are made of really poor quality materials. You may like the colour or ornamental design of these tools but when you put them to use they will break very easily. I urge you to make the investment for high quality tools that you will really use. Look for tools with metal pieces and solid construction and purchase only what you will need and use regularly. Paying a little more for a tool that will last for many, many seasons is a much wiser choice than buying the newest trendy colour or design each season and having a shed full of broken tools. I encourage you to buy the latest in garden decorations but leave the trendy tools alone. Also be very careful in the spring and fall when the kits of garden plants come into the stores. Remember bargain packages of poor quality plants or bulbs are not a bargain at all. Often suppliers make up these packages to get rid of their lower quality stock at a low price irresistible to the gardener. Often many of these bulbs and plants are not even hearty in our growing zone as well. So be aware when you are in the big retailers and you see “100 plants for a low price” or “plant your whole yard with one box” or a “full garden in a box” type packages of bulbs or plants. Remember I am not talking about plants on sale at the local nurseries when I make this statement but the special packages and boxes of plants that arrive at our large retail stores, especially the ones that do not even have a proper gardening section. Save your money to visit one of our reputable nurseries in the District and spend your money there where you will be buying good quality established plants provided with free growing and care instructions. That is really the best bargain in town!
Even the most seasoned gardeners can get up in buying “bargain” plants and the latest in designer tools and garden decorations, but if you really take a minute to look over the items and make sure they are really a true value for the money you will be much better off in the long run. Perennial plants are an investment but in a few short years they can be divided and shared with friends. Inexpensive perennials sold in box or bagged kits take years to establish if they even grow, while established nursery quality plants are mature in a few short seasons. Pre-packaged vegetable, annual and perennial plant seeds or not rare and hard to come by in this generation so buy what you need each year and you’ll guarantee your seeds are fresh and viable. Don’t buy a pound of seeds for a small backyard garden just because they are economical.

Paying for good quality tools, plants and seeds or bulbs are much more economical in the long run and will provide you with many more years of enjoyment and service than the “bargain” items. Really you will save labour and money in the long run but just taking a few extra minutes to asses your purchases before you buy.