Must-have gardening products help the environment, as well

Last week I revealed four of the 10 products making the lineup as the 2008 selections for the "joe gardener-certified" best of the must-haves along with background information on the selection process. Hundreds of products are tested by many gardeners but only 10 earn this coveted distinction.

Here are the remaining products to complete the list for 2008.

CowPots

Moo ... ve over peat pots and plastic containers. There's a new eco-friendly product on the market and it is utterly awesome. CowPots (cowpots.com) are good for gardeners and the environment.

CowPots use a process of drying composted manure into a pot we can plant. The pots last for months in a greenhouse but break down within weeks once planted in the ground. As they decompose, they feed the plant and enrich the soil.

And unlike peat moss, from which peat pots are made, cow manure is a highly renewable resource.

The ET Manager

Much of the water used outside to irrigate lawns and landscapes is wasted due to evaporation and runoff. Overwatering can also lead to unnecessary diseases. Wouldn't it be nice to have a way of knowing when lawns and plants really need to be watered? Now there is.

The ET Manager by Rain Bird (rainbird.com) is a small device about the size of a deli sandwich. It connects to virtually any installed irrigation timer and uses local, real-time weather data collected on an hourly basis to determine if the scheduled irrigation cycle is necessary. If not, the ET Manager overrides the system for that cycle.

That saves money, improves the health of lawns and plants and our planet as we seek effective ways to conserve such a valuable resource.

Enki Watering System

At first glance, the Enki Watering System (myenki.com) by Ovation Science appears simply to be an attractive watering pitcher. But built-in patented technology increases oxygen content in the water by as much as five times. Simply put, oxygen in the soil stimulates plant growth and yield.

Our performance results were backed by a study conducted at the University of Minnesota horticultural department. "Plant quality, flowers, foliage, yield and size all increased or were improved."

The Enki system also provides gardeners with a green way to grow better results naturally, with no added chemicals or fertilizers.

Cordless rechargeable outdoor

tools

Imagine tackling just about any outdoor weekend-warrior project without ever having to reach for the gasoline can. Black & Decker (blackanddecker.com) is making that job easier with a wonderful array of battery-operated, rechargeable tools. Not only does that equate to convenience, but more importantly, less pollution from carbon emissions. So now we have a versatile, practical and more environmentally responsible way to clean up our yards, and the planet.

Two rugged 18-volt batteries come with each product and equipment choices currently include common but important tools such as a blower, cultivator, pole pruner, string and hedge trimmers and even a light-duty chain saw.

Spear-it

The Spear-it is a clever devise that helps those common long-handled garden tools like bow rakes and hoes stand up to any job -- literally. Appropriately named, the Spear-it tools (bushprotools.com) include a fold down "spear" that rests firmly against the handle until you're ready to set it down. Then you simply fold the spear away from the handle and down toward the ground, allowing the spear to penetrate the ground while keeping the tool firmly upright.

With the Spear-it tools always standing up, the risks and danger associated with stepping on them later or running over them with a lawn mower are virtually eliminated.

Folding kneeling bench

This folding kneeling bench by GroWorks (800-594-4000) is a convenient way to get some relief in the garden in several ways: a padded platform for the knees, support for getting up and a place to rest, too.

When a well-deserved break is in order or it is time to do some pruning or trimming higher up, simply flip it over and now it's a sturdy bench, strong enough for even the brawniest weekend-warrior. And it all folds down into a compact size, ready for the next adventure in the garden.

For more information on these products or the selection process, go to www.joegardener.com.

Joe Lamp'l, host of "Fresh from the Garden" on the DIY Network and "GardenSMART" on PBS, is a master gardener and author. For more information visit www.joegardener.com and www.DIYnetwork.com.