Eco-Friendly Gardening Goods from Canadian Companies
Get planting this weekend with my favourite gardening goodies
I walked by my local garden centre yesterday, and cars were lined up outside the parking lot. We’re heading into the busiest gardening weekend of the year, and after such long winter, many of us are itching to get our in the soil.
If you’re planning to get gardening this weekend, you may need more than plants. But before you go out and get a bunch of plastic tools and accessories, take a look at my favourite eco-friendly gardening goodies.
Wooden Potmaker, $26.50
I was so excited to discover this! Made in Canada out of wood, this ingenious device turns strips of old newspapers into starter pots for young transplants and seedlings. Simply roll and press paper to create eco-friendly, compostable pots. Just think of all those plastic pots and flats you’ll be keeping from the landfill.
Stoneware Plant Markers, $27.50
Handcrafted in Kingston, Ontario, these plant markers are made of natural stoneware clay. They can withstand rain, ice, snow and extreme heat without fading or cracking. Simply write the plant name directly onto the stoneware using a felt-tip pen. Available in packages of four, they come with four 14 1/2" long stakes that have a hang loop at the top and a V-shaped bottom to firmly fix the stake in the soil and resist turning or tipping.
Roll of Paper Ties
This Japanese paper ribbon is durable, yet supple enough to tie with ease. The flat, densely pleated 1/2" wide band won't bruise plants or cut into delicate stems. Made from 100% unbleached recycled paper, it’s biodegradable and can be left in the soil or tilled under at the end of the season. You can also use it to bundle yard waste and recycling.
Lee Valley Garden Tools, $115.00 (set of 3)
Made with stainless steel and beech handles, these high-quality tools are made to last a lifetime. The blade and tines are welded to the tangs, and have bevelled or tapered ends where required to penetrate soil easily. The lacquered handles are shaped for comfort and have a ferrule that caps the end grain to prevent swelling or splitting. This set of three includes the most commonly used tools – the three-prong cultivator, trowel and Jekyll weeder.
Lily Gardening Gloves, $20
Made by Canadian company Watson Gloves, these gardening gloves are fashioned from 96% recycled plastic bottles. They’re reinforced with goatskin padded palms and hooded fingertips for extra comfort and protection.
Patio Linen Sun Protection Wide Brim Garden Hat, $93.95
Made in Canada, this chic sun hat is 55% linen and 45% cotton. The 4-inch brim provides UPF50+ sun protection, blocking at least 97.5% of broad-spectrum UVA and UVB radiation. It packs flat for travel and comes in 12 different colours.
Recycled Canvas Gardening Apron, $45.00
Made by Canadian company Frondly (in China) from recycled canvas, this green gardening apron has pockets to store your tools and a ring to clip your gloves. With water-resistant fabric and rust-proof hardware, it will stand up to the elements. Plus it’s machine washable.
Terracotta Plastic Rain Barrel, $145.99
Rain barrels are a great way to save water, but let’s face it — they can be ugly. The Castilla rain barrel has the classic look of terracotta pottery, with a natural shape and colour that blends in with the landscape. Made in Canada with BPA-free recycled plastic, it holds 6.6 cu feet of water. It features a brass spigot and shutoff nozzle, as well as dual overflow ports.
Panacea Vintage Style Decorative Watering Can, $29.99
With a vintage 1920s' aesthetic, this metal watering can features a faux-antique finish and wooden handle. It’s made with brass hardware and holds 7.5 L (1.8 gallons) of water.
Everlasting Garden Hose, $155.00
Although no one makes a plastic-free hose, some plastics are better than others. Avoid hoses made with PVC, as they have been shown to leach harmful chemicals into water. (Even if you don’t plan on drinking the water from your hose, you don’t want chemicals in your vegetable garden or polluting the environment.)
The Everlasting Garden Hose is your best bet, made in Canada from FDA-grade polyurethane that’s free of BPA and phthalates and considered safe for drinking water. It is kink-resistant, UV-resistant, non-marring, and can withstand temperatures from -13° F to 149° F (-25° C to 65° C).
Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter, $110.48
Made in Canada from 100% post-consumer recycled polypropylene, this composter is what I use at home. With two side-by-side compartments, you can continuously cycle compost from your kitchen scraps and yard waste. Just load it up, close the sliding door and give it a turn every 2-3 days to mix it up. Once you’ve filled one compartment, let it cure while adding fresh material to the second; by the time the second half is full, the first
Earth Worm Casings, $24.99
An eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizer, these earthworm castings are high in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, and they increase moisture retention and root structure.
Natural Bamboo Garden Plant Stakes, $5.49 (15-pack)
There’s no need for plastic garden stakes when you have bamboo. It’s strong, lightweight, and lasts for years. Plus it blends in with the landscape, letting your beautiful plants have all the attention.
Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine this weekend!
Yours for the Greener Good,
Brett