Simple cold frame/cloche

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

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