Gardening and beyond... with WayCoolTools.com

Get ready for storm season.... convert your generator to propane!

2011-07-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

Nikola Tesla may have had it right when he came up with the idea of wireless electrical power transmission. While we are very thankful for the power lines they can be severely handicapped during the event of a hurricane, tornado, or severe storm. (or... Zombie Apocalypse)

What is your plan when the power goes out?

Once the power is out we tend to remember the things we are used to having and at times can forget to be thankful for. (There’s so much to be thankful for – electricity seems like a small thing these days)

· Lighting

· Heat/Air conditioning

· Hot water

· Communication: Internet, telephone, radio & television

· Charging batteries

· Flushing the toilet (if you have a well)

· Taking a shower

· Cooking

But, you are prepared! You invested in a backup generator, just in case of such an emergency. So you just need to get that gasoline powered generator out of the shed and put it to work powering your home. Or at least the essential things, like the refrigerator or freezer full of food.

Once you have worn yourself out from pulling the cord on your portable generator for a half an hour, you may begin to wonder why you decided not to get the propane powered generator! You see, propane does not have the problems that gasoline has, like going stale, varnishing carburetors and with ethanol in gasoline these days, propane also shines in the fact that it does not eat up the seals in your carburetor and gum up your fuel system. A propane powered engine starts up right away, no matter how long it's been sitting in the shed!

I bet you’re breathing a little easier knowing that about propane. You’ll also breathe easier because there is much less harmful emissions from a propane powered engine.

Did you ever go to the gas station after the power went out only to find out that the gas pumps RUN ON ELECTRICITY? I called a propane company and the guy there said that even when the gasoline stations can’t pump gas, that a propane delivery truck can deliver all the fuel you need – to your home or even at the corner market or the grocery store parking lot if you live in a remote area.

With that half hour of time you spent trying to get the generator started you could have easily converted your existing 4 cycle gasoline powered generator to run on clean economical propane using our easy to install PROPANE ENGINE CONVERSION KITS.

It can be done in a few easy steps using some simple to install parts.

The basic parts to convert your generator are:

The regulator system - ready to install.

You can attach this to the frame on your generator using the clamps that are part of this unit.

This engine adapter plate w/ fuel orifice attaches behind the carburetor. (Using two bolts and some sealant)

The fuel supply line delivers the propane to your engine and goes between the regulator system & the adapter plate and fuel orifice.

The cylinder attachment line gets the fuel from your propane tank to the regulator system.

Once you have your parts installed you can use your engine with either propane or gasoline, so you have a dual fuel engine if you want.

If switching over your gasoline powered generator to run it on propane makes sense to you. Visit www.shop.waycooltools.com and see our propane engine conversion section to find the kit that’s right for your engine.

Feel free to call if you need any help.

You could also send us an e-mail with the engine specifications and the generator you want to convert. We’ll reply with the the information you need.

Now and again, everyone experiences a power outage. We’re pleased to offer an easy and economical solution to making sure you have the power available to you, when you need it most.

Propane engine Conversions .... and Poultry

2011-06-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Larry T. of Louisa, VA sent in this video of his Troy-Bilt Horse Model Tiller that he converted to propane using one of our Do It Yourself propane engine conversion kits. (Click here to see the kits).
Running a propane powered engine compared to a gasoline powered engine is worlds apart in that don't get the smelly fumes, the engine needs less maintenance and the fuel doesn't go stale like gas. You do however get all the power you need with 104 octane fuel.
One of the first things I noticed when I saw this video besides the fact that it's the same model tiller as our converted tiller, is the chickens.

Propane engine conversions & poultry; homesteading at its best!

Organic Lawn and Garden Care made EASY!

2011-04-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

Have you resigned yourself to accepting that having a chemical free lawn and garden means putting up with weeds and less than glorious grass, food and flowers? Or maybe you think there is a way but it’s way too complicated, time consuming and expensive to think about...right now.

Let me introduce you to some new organic lawn and garden care products from Fire Belly Organics. These are all natural, organic, chemical free products produced here in the USA.

The entire Fire Belly Organics line of products has been designed for complete ease of use and absolute effectiveness while being easy on your budget. Each is packaged in a hose end sprayer applicator, no need to figure out ratios or buy yet another sprayer, or mix in a bucket...just attach to your garden hose and go!

No worries about children, pets or wildlife being harmed by your recently treated lawn. All products are derived from natural, organic ingredients that support life in the soil and on the planet.

There are 5 products and 3 “kits” available, depending on your lawn and garden needs. Each kit treats about 5000 square feet.

Organic Lawn in a Box- contains:

1. Early Spring-Growth Activator

2.Spring- Bio-Blast

3.Summer-Bloom Blaster

4.Early Fall-Bio-Blast

Organic Lawn in a Box + 2 contains:

1.Early Spring-Growth Activator

2.Early Spring-Spray and Play liquid corn gluten

3.Spring- Bio Blast

4.Summer- Bloom Blaster

5.Early Fall-Bio Blast

6.Late Fall-Winter Protect

Organic Garden in a Box contains::

1.Planting time- Growth Activator

2. Fertilize all season with Bio-Blast

3.Use Bloom Blaster when flowers and fruits start to bud to maximize production.

You may also buy the products separately by the case(4 per case)

Growth Activator-Bio-Enhanced, Organic Soil Treatment. Promote nitrogen fixing, detoxify soil, reduce transplant shock, encourage root development, increase photosynthesis, and make nutrients more bio-available. Perfect for establishing new plants and to boost spring growth while protecting from environmental stress.

Bloom Blaster-Natural Bio-Stimulant. A nutritious blast of natural plant growth hormones, vitamins, amino acids and micronutrients to support bud development for abundant, beautiful flowers and fruit without harming beneficial organisms. Derived from cold water seaweed.

Bio-Blast 7-0-2-Bio-Enhanced, Organic natural fertilizer. Completely replace chemical fertilizers with this phosphorus free, chelated formula. Greens up leaves fast, feeds the soil and promotes vigorous growth.

Spray and Play 1-0-0-Liquid Corn Gluten. Concentrated liquid corn gluten suppresses seed germination while feeding the plants and soil. Use on lawns, mulched areas or garden beds.

Winter Protect-Winterizing Treatment. Late season soil and plant winterizer bio activates clay and sandy soils, builds organic matter, unlocks nutrients in the soil and buffers pH levels. May be used on all types of plants and turf.

All of these products are available to buy right now at WayCoolTools.com . It’s never too late to start having a healthier, more beautiful, organic lawn and garden!

EZ Cut pruning tool treatment stops Fusarium and Fireblight!

2011-04-09T16:58:00.000-07:00

Is it getting harder and harder to cut with your trusty old pruners? Are they sticky with sap and dirt? Don't throw away your old garden tools, clean up what you have with EZ Cut! EZ-Cut is a patented and trademark registered fluid spray for pruning tool maintenance. Dirty tools don't work as well or last as long as tools that are well maintained. With EZ Cut dirt and sap wipe easily from garden tools saving time and labor, while preventing tool cutting edge damage that can result from abrasive cleaning techniques. The all natural oil lubricates tools for smooth operation and extends tool life by inhibiting rust thereby protecting metal surfaces. EZ-Cut is university tested, proven to stop Fireblight bacteria and Fusarium fungus cross contamination while pruning roses, fruit trees and more. The pleasant lemon scent even repels mosquitoes. EZ-Cut is safe to the user, kids, pets and the environment because it contains 100% food grade ingredients. No gardener, grower or landscaper should be without EZ-Cut Pruning Tool Treatment.

Cleans
Disinfects
Lubricates
Stops Rust
Pleasant lemon scent
Non-toxic and safe for pets and people
Fungicidal
Prevents cross contamination between plants
Made in the USA

Retail sales at www.WayCoolTools.com
Wholesalers, retailers, and growers contact us for quantity pricing.

Flame Weeding

2011-02-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

Weeding is fun!

I'm looking over the array of carefully selected seed varieties that are promising a bountiful crop of vegetables, flowers & herbs in the coming growing season. Then I survey the garden beds. Winter weeds have taken over the garden, crept in right under our noses, or Roses as it were :-). So much work to be done before the fun of planting can begin!

Wouldn't it be great if your could just erase the old leftover plants from last fall, the grasses and vines along the fence line, dandelions and thistles that have stealthily increased in population, those prickly berry canes that try to sneak into your garden? Make it a clean slate, so to speak.

That can be a daunting task though, and backbreaking work to prepare the garden. You want to focus on the growth of spring, not laboring to clear the past! (Especially if you let things slide a little in the fall ;-)) It's tempting to resort to “easy” chemicals to knock back the spring weeds, or use pre-emergents...but are they really as safe as we've been led to believe? And what is the long term effect on your garden, soil, and your food?

The intense heat of the propane flame destroys the cell structure of living plants,causing them to wither and die within a day or so. While it doesn't immediately kill the deep roots of perennial weeds, repeatedly knocking back the top growth will eventually exhaust the plant. Additionally, weed seeds and overwintering pests and their eggs are killed by the heat and cannot become resistant to this form of control. Flame weeding takes the power of heat, and uses it in a controlled and efficient manner.

And you know what? It's fun! (shhhhh!)

I LOVE WEEDING... with my Red Dragon garden weeding torch. I can slip on my handy backpack tank for rough terrain or just pull a grill tank on the dolly-cart in the tamer areas.

First I can clean up the gravel driveway of any weeds that have popped up since last fall.

Then attend to the mulched areas around the ornamental and fruit trees and bushes.

I no longer waste string line when trimming the grass and weeds along the stone walls, patio or walkways. A clean sweep with the flame weeder is all that's needed. Fence lines are another chore to look forward to..... Well, it's true if you're flame weeding! Then clean up the veggie garden, turning last year's leftovers into soil building ash and bio-char. And, at the end of a chilly spring day, light a fire for marshmallows with the kids.

Now string trimmers do have their place. There are times when a weed whacker is a wiser choice than a weeding torch. If you are working near highly combustible materials like pine needles, around plants like Poison Ivy or certain evergreens, or under very dry, windy conditions.

(You might consider converting your motorized 4 cycle trimmer to a low polluting, low emissions fuel: propane.

Find out more about converting your small engine equipment, including lawn and garden equipment, generators, and more to propane: click here.)

Just call me the Hank Hill of gardening!

Red Dragon Flame Weeders are made with pride in the USA .

Buy flame weeders from WayCoolTools.com

Propane upgrades for small engines

2011-01-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to be offering AltFuel propane conversion kits for small gas engines. All components are made in the USA, and the company is run by two young entrepreneurs from Ohio.

All kinds of equipment can be quickly, easily, and inexpensively converted to clean, green, domestic propane by anyone with basic tools and knowledge of small engines 1-45 hp. ATVs, golf carts, mules, log splitters, generators, power washers, backpack blowers, snowthrowers, string trimmers, leaf vacs, mowers of all kinds, wood chippers...
For more information on all of the benefits of propane as an engine fuel see: AllPropaneMowers.com
So, if you are already running propane mowers or trucks and want to switch over your other existing equipment, this is a great way to do just that. Or, if you want to check out propane as an engine fuel, this is an easy, cost effective way to do so. (The kit can be removed quickly and you're back to the original gasoline engine). You can also run your engine as a dual fuel engine (either gasoline or propane) The kits are transferable to other equipment, only needing a different "adapter block" if it is a different engine type.

Depending on the size of the engine, you can use recyclable 1lb cylinders(available widely at camp, hardware and variety stores), the NEW refillable 1 lb cylinders from Manchester Tank(coming soon), 5-10 lb cylinders, grill tanks or forklift cylinders with adapters.

Here are a couple of video links...

Our old tiller is converted to propane

Alex at GIE explaining the basics

Overview of the conversion process

2 great gardening events in Virginia

2011-01-10T10:04:00.000-08:00

First, Michael Dirr will be at the Piedmont Landscape association's annual seminar in Charlottesville. Michael Dirr is the author of several essential gardening tomes that we became familiar with while taking Ian Robertson's Horticulture classes.
http://www.piedmont-landscape.org/2011SaveTheDateFlyer.pdf
THEN, the next day in Danville we have Eliot Coleman at the VABF(Virginia Biological Farmers) conference. Eliot has also authored several books on organic vegetable growing which he does year round-in MAINE:
http://www.vabf.org/annual-conference
Exciting times for gardeners in central Virginia!!

Clarington Forge

2010-01-12T14:47:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to offer the Clarington Forge brand of classic English garden tools, hand made in England. These are the tools originally called Bulldog and marketed by Smith & Hawken back when they were still an independent company.
These tools are the standard by which all other garden tools are measured. The Digging Fork and Digging Spade were invented by the Cistercian monks craftsmen at what is now called Clarington Forge in Lancashire over 800 years ago! All tools are manufactured using a unique specification steel which results in exceptionally strong tool heads with the flexibility to absorb all the shock and pressure of hard work, without distorting or breaking.
The ash handles are strong and beautifully crafted, and replaceable if that ever becomes necessary.
If you are a serious gardener or landscaper, do yourself the favor of owning these classic tools. Perfect for planting, tilthing, double digging and all the necessary garden chores that become a pleasure when using the right tools.
See our website for current prices and more information.

How to use the patented Barnel center oiler bolt

2009-08-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

We're happy to announce the addition of a new refillable oiler pen to our online garden tool catalog. Why is this important you ask? Well that's a great question and I'm glad you've asked because it presents me with the chance to expound on the merits of the patented Barnel center oiler bolt which is a standard feature on many of the Barnel products offered at waycooltools.com.
The center oiler bolt is one of the features that sets these pruners & loppers apart from other garden tools and sets a new industry standard in efficiency and ease of maintenance.
The center bolt itself is an oil reservoir that can be easily filled with the pen oiler. This enables you to oil your pruner from the inside while you work. This eliminates the need to disassemble your pruners, apply oil that will only last a short time, then re-assemble and reset the pruner blade gap so they cut properly.
All you need to do is insert the pen oiler tip into the oiler bolt nipple and squeeze until oil comes out. Wipe off any excess oil and...you're done!
This is a WayCoolTool! need we say more?

Cashing in on soil health at Rodale Institute

2009-08-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Earlier this season we visited Cindy Conner at her home in Virginia. We were blessed to see the methods she uses in her video & class room teaching first hand and came away from her garden greatly inspired to try her techniques and tell the world. The World.. How could you possibly feed the world as we know it with the methods we learned from Cindy Conner?
Well we went to the Rodale institute http://rodaleinstitute.org/ in south eastern Pennsylvania to find out. We went there to participate in the "Cashing in on Soil Health Field Day" and what an education it was.
Many people from far and near who are organic farmers and gardeners (or want to be), folks from the organic food industry, equipment manufacturers, folks from the guvment and the and the many volunteers and staff at Rodale came together to for an extra special day of learning and fellowship
We had the privilege of meeting Tim Lasalle, the CEO of the Rodale Institute and hear some background information on global warming. (yes,.. it's real) We heard the facts surrounding global climate change and the neat thing is something can be done about it.
You see all those plants we use as cover crops for the purpose of building soil health and reducing erosion actually LIKE to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Whats more the folks at the Rodale Institute have developed a machine and a method for locking the carbon that those plants absorb from the atmosphere into the soil and improving soil health and fertility in the process. It gets even better than that. Dr. Tom O'Donnel of the Global Emissions Exchange http://www.globalemissionsexchange.com/shined a great big light on how farmers can actually help those who would like to offset their carbon output and how they can benefit from the sale of their carbon credits due to the fact that they though their wise growing practices have sequestered TONS of carbon dioxide while producing a superior crop to feed the worlds people and animals.
We got a pretty in depth instructional tour of the U.S.D.A. web soil survey site http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov from John Chibirka of the U.S.D.A. Natural Conservation Services entitled This ain't your daddy's soil survey! A Technological Jump into the 21st Century.
An awesome lunch was graciously served the the Rodale staff and we spent some time in conversation with some of the participants of the event from the Organic Valley family of farms http://www.organicvalley.coop/
After lunch we all climbed aboard the tractor drawn wagons and headed out onto the 300 acre research farm for an in depth tour conducted by a group of researchers from the Rodale Institute. There we got to see the techniques we were wondering about after we visited Cindy Conner's garden. There it was. Rather than tilling in the cover crops you instead use a devise first made by the Rodale Institute and now available from manufacturers such as I & J manufacturing http://www.croproller.com/croproller_development.html in Gap Pennsylvania called a roller crimper that does just that. It rolls and crimps the cover crop so that it becomes its own mulch layer. A second device on the back of the tractor simultaneously plants your next seasons crop right through the cover crop. You get the benefit of improved soil fertility, natural weed control, erosion control and moisture retention all in one pass. On top of that you are also doing your part to help reduce our nation's carbon output and profiting from it in the process.

Way Cool? We think so!

And now for some links we think you'll really like:
http://www.hero-farmers.org/
http://www.organicheros.org/
http://www.farmingwithhorses.com/contact.php

Up Coming Gardening Events at Rodale Institute:
* Wednesday, October 7 10am-12pm
Farm and Garden Equipment for the Novice
Jeff Moyer, Owen Maguire, Mark Scheetz

* Wednesday, November 4 10am-12pm
Pruning 101
April Johnson

* Wednesday, December 2 10am-12pm
Build Your Own Gardening Containers
April Johnson

Workshops are subject to change.
Fee: $20.00/person
Register by calling 610-683-6009 or email ribooks@fast.net.
(Pre-registration is required.)

Going Green with Congressman Roscoe Bartlett in Frederick, Maryland

2009-07-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Doug MacMaster of Thompson Gas in Oakland Maryland invited us to join him and exhibit our propane mower at the Go Green Energy Conference in Frederick Maryland which was sponsored by Congressman Roscoe Bartlett. Green was the theme and there were lots of interested people from around the region who turned out to see the environmentally friendly innovations ehibited at the event.
Solar solutions had a large showing there as well as the propane powered vehicles and machinery exhibit we were blessed to be a part of. There was a propane powered Rouch F-150 pick up truck and Blue Bird school bus which ran smooth and quiet with no smelly fumes. The exhaust pipes are cool to the touch even while running, and only water vapor is emitted- none of the black soot that we see with gas or diesel fuel systems! The LEHR Eco Trimmer once again received a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and we saw lots of people sign up for the Thompson Gas prize drawing. First prize was 200 gallons of clean, green propane. Second prize was a LEHR propane Eco Trimmer and third prize was a free 20 LB gas grill tank refill. I'll let you know, a lot of the folks there wanted to win second prize.
Congressman Bartlett stopped by our exhibit and was happy to see the solutions that clean burning propane offered to our current environmental concerns. The propane mower and flame weeder were familiar to him already as he is aware of the new technologies that offer real, immediate solutions to our environmental concerns.
Like all the people we met from his Maryland district and areas around the region he enjoyed trying out the LEHR Eco Trimmer.

Thanks again to Doug McMaster and the folks at Thompson Gas for the invitation and a special thanks to Congressman Roscoe Bartlett for sponsoring this event.

We are very optimistic about the benefits that clean burning propane offers as a motor fuel.
It is technology that is available Right Now.
For more information on the benefits of switching to environmentally friendly propane instead of gasoline or Diesel please contact us via the WayCoolTools.com contact page.

Propane Gas at the 60th Annual Delmarva Chicken Festival

2009-07-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

When we got the invitation to attend the 60th annual Delmarva Chicken Festival we decided we just had to go!
We met the folks from the Mid Atlantic Propane Gas Association in Centreville, MD and got to exhibit our propane powered lawn and garden equipment along side some other propane powered implements like a barbecue grill and an outdoor patio heater, not to forget the poultry house sanitizer manufactured by Flame Engineering of LaCrosse, Kansas, now celebrating their 50th year, which was provided by Tri-Gas & Oil of Federalsburg, MD.
We were proud to exhibit our EnviroGard propane powered 61" zero turn lawn mower, and assortment of Weed Dragon torches (also manufactured by Flame Engineering) and the new LEHR Eco Trimmer.
The Chicken Festival was an event filled with food, music, vendors and amusements for all ages and interests.
We were greeted at the entrance gate by a gentleman wearing a chicken hat and met people through out the day wearing similar garments. When we asked about the hats the response we got was that they were from Chicken Festivals from years past, so this seems to be a tradition on the Delmarva. Speaking of chicken, the chicken cooked in the giant fry pan was terrific as was the lemonade that we drank a lot of.
Lots of folks stopped by the M.A.P.G.A. exhibit to try their hand at a form of putt putt golf we call earth golf and to learn about propane which isn't just for heating or cooking any more.
Thanks to the folks at LEHR and Onyx Environmental Solutions we can now use propane as a low polluting motor fuel in lawn equipment engines.
LEHR has a really awesome line of propane powered string trimmers known as Eco Trimmers. They have 4 stroke engines that are smooth running and quieter than your average 2 cycle engine with PLENTY of power and a whole lot less pollution and smell. The fuel for the Eco trimmers comes in economical and easy to use 16.4 oz. twist on canisters readily available at most hardware stores, as are the trimmers themselves.
The reactions we got from the LEHR trimmers was always something like... OH! That's Amazing!! It Runs On Propane!! I WANT ONE!!!
Onyx Environmental Solutions is the originator of the EnviroGard fuel system which powers the zero turn lawn mower. They have been a pioneer in the patented propane fuel system designed for rugged use in the turf industry. We had a really positive response to the EnviroGard mower from home owners and professionals alike. The interest in using propane as a clean burning, low polluting alternative fuel has been consistently high, especially when they realize that propane is much less expensive than gasoline during the growing season.
We also had a great response when people saw the new Mini Dragon flame weeder and saw how easy it is to control weeds without the use of dangerous chemicals. Fueled by easy to use 16.4 oz. propane cylinders the Mini Dragon uses heat to bring weeds to the place where they have wilted and will dry up & die.
We met many chicken consumers as well as producers at the Chicken Fest who were happy to see the Flame Engineering Poultry House Sanitizer which does its job using propane heat not chemicals. Better for the birds, better for the environment and better for you.
Can you say Organic Chicken?
Thanks again to the Mid Atlantic Propane Gas Association for inviting us to the Chicken Fest as well as EnviroGard, Flame Engineering and LEHR for the great equipment to exhibit at the event.
A special note of thanks to Timothy Elgard (pictured above in front of the mower) who braved the heat in his chicken costume.
Check out our new environmentally friendly propane powered equipment section of the WayCoolTools on line catalog... coming soon.

Virginia Herb Festival

2009-07-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

The First Annual Virginia Herb Festival was a great time of fun, food and fellowship at Sunflower Cottage in Middletown, Virginia.
We had the opportunity amongst many other vendors and crafters to share our products with visitors from around the region.
There were herb plants, herbal remedies, educational workshops, wine tasting, tea tasting, local artists, pick your own Lavender, gardens, livestock, crafts and of course garden tools!
We met many new friends and old friends as well.
It's difficult to describe in words the great fellowship we had with the other vendors.
Amongst others that we met at this event we'd like to thank:

Billie and Arnold Clifton, the owners of Sunflower Cottage - www.sunflowercottage.net , our hosts. Sunflower Cottage runs a nursery, holds workshops and has a lovely restaurant.
Sandra Dee: who works in the nursery at Sunflower Cottage
Chuck & Karen White: Chuckie's Cactuscopia -www.chuckiescactus.com
Patty Hankins: Fine Art Floral Photography - www.BeautifulFlowerPictures.com , prints, cards and more.
Sarah and Peter Roussos: Agro-Depot /Green Alchemy Herb & Mercantile Co. , locally made foods, produce and products catalog.
Robert & Jennifer Fabrizi: The Alpacas of Cedar Knoll , beautiful sweet alpacas, wool and knitting or spinning lessons!
Jill Larrabee: Persnickety Pup - www.persnicketypup.com . Adorable and unique collars, leashes and more for the discerning doggies in your social circle.
Sondra Johnson: Natures Common Scents - www.naturescommonscents.com , herbal remedies and preparations that really work! Made in small batches by Sondra herself.
Doug McKenzie: Between The Hills Wood Working - www.BTHWoodworking.com , Doug and son create high quality outdoor furniture and all proceeds benefit his son's overseas mission work.
We'd all especially like to thank Doug for the impromptu gospel sing along on Sunday morning.
It was a great time in the sun at Sunflower Cottage!
We wish you all the best.

Cindy Conner, Cover Crops video

2009-05-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a 3 minute teaser for the full length video.
We recently met Cindy at a Master Gardeners event in Goochland. She is truly a fountain of knowledge about gardening sustainably! Check out the full length video about cover crops available in our online store:
Out-compete weeds, nourish your soil, and enjoy abundant biomass for mulch and compost using techniques from Virginia sustainable agriculture teacher/expert Cynthia Conner. This 66 minute video takes you through the seasons in Cindy's intensive garden, showing you cover crops growing, harvesting, planting into stubble, timing, varieties and more! Overflowing with valuable tips and tricks for gardening and processing the harvest without power tools and in a sustainable manner. Learn something new every time you watch it!
Cindy is a teacher of sustainable agriculture at J. Sargent Reynolds Community College in Goochland/Richmond(they even have a sustainable ag CLUB!!) and a certified teacher of John Jeavons' GROW BIOINTENSIVE method of gardening, holds a certificate in Permaculture Design.
For more info on Cindy's work see www.homeplaceearth.com
We really enjoyed meeting Cindy, talking about the old Ecovillage, John Jeavons, oxen, tools and on and on. What a delightful gardener to know, we look forward to learning more from her!

Spring Garden Fest 4/25/09

2009-04-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

See the link for more info...

Presented by the Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners in cooperation

with J. SargeantReynolds Community College and VA Cooperative Extension

Saturday, April 25, 2009

8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

at

J. SargeantReynolds Community College

1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland, VA

• Classes, workshops, demonstrations,

displays, plant and garden vendors,

food for sale, and ask the experts

•Register in advance for classes or

just stop by to shop, browse, and learn.

• Visit www.gpmga.org or contact the Goochland

Extension office at 556-5841 for more info.

Update on the cold frames

2009-03-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

It's late March now and we are harvesting greens from our homemade cloches
Here are a few pics featuring the greens that survived -2F temps with no additional protection and our new fave harvesting tool: Sheep Shears!. They are handy for harvesting greens, cutting back liriope and shearing back leggy annuals or perennials. If you have sheep, these will shear them beautifully :-)This model comes with a free belt holster, so you can store them safely when not in use.

Eat the View! Obama vegetable garden

2009-03-24T08:19:00.001-07:00

It is so exciting to see an edible landscape being created at the White House! I would love to have all that help in our little garden here :-)
It is a national movement of great importance: teach a man to garden and feed him, his family and neighbors for a lifetime!
Garden tools that last and get the job done are important too! We have a line of steel tools made in the USA of US steel that will never bend or break under normal use. Or our Brook and Hunter oak and steel tools that carry a LIFETIME replacement guarantee!
See more at our website: www.waycooltools.com

Alice Waters, featuring Brook and Hunter tools!!

2009-03-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

Watch CBS Videos Online

The whole local/grow your own food movement seems to be nosing it's way into the mainstream! We were excited to see Brook and Hunter stainless steel digging forks and spades make an appearance in the Edible Schoolyard segment of this 10 minute video. (around the 9 minute mark) They look great, and it's good to see they are pretty easily handled by the children. When your kids are outgrowing their colorful kids tools, why not invest in their future? A beautiful set of heirloom quality digging tools from Brook and Hunter and WayCoolTools.com makes a fantastic Spring season gift!

A pretty Iris

2009-01-29T16:15:00.001-08:00

I love Irises...Anyone know this variety? We've had them for years. Nicely fragrant too. If only they were re-bloomers. :-)
I could have masses and masses of different varieties and never get tired of them.
J

Simple cold frame/cloche

2008-12-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

I had 2 halves of a cattle panel and some painter's tarp laying around

So I made a little greenhouse

Observe my stunning carpentry skills!

It's survived some pretty cold nights (9F) and high winds here in the hollow

And the seedlings are doing okay. Next year I will plant much earlier than October!

Update 1/28/09: The seedlings came through -2F temps just fine with no extra heat!

B575 ratcheting pruner

2008-12-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

One of the great inventions in gardening is the ratcheting pruner. It is so easy, it's actually difficult to do at first. Especially if you are used to muscling your way through pruning a tough piece of dead wood. It's very zen, just back off and Let The Tool Do The Work.

gently squeeze the handles together until they stop
release until the pruner "clicks"
squeeze again
release
repeat until cut is complete(usually only 3-4 clicks at most)

Again, this is all very gently done so it is easy on your hands and wrists. The price is so reasonable too. Buy one today for yourself and one for a friend at www.waycooltools.com