SAGE ADVICE

From top to bottom: Backdoorshoes garden clogs, $41.99 at Amazon

Current and past Hort Committee members weighed in on their favorite gardening footwear. Lynn Boyajian (GC of Madison, Zone IV) and Peggy Mayfield (Fox Hill GC, Zone I) both prefer waterproof garden clogs; Caroline Schutts (Glenview GC, Zone VII) likes her Hoka running shoes, Madeline Mayhood (James River GC, Zone VII) is partial to XtraTuf ankle deck boots, which come in leather or rubber. Hunter boots got lots of nods, as did Crocs, old Merrells, and ratty tennis shoes. The pros have their favorites too: Muck boots are favored by Martha Stewart; Margaret Roach likes her short rubber boots by Noble Outfitters. Joyce Chen scissors are $35 from White Flower Farm Plant markers are $21.95 for 25 from Gardeners Supply Co.

The hori hori knife got the most votes for being the Horticulture Committee’s most favorite small/manual garden tool; the stainless-steel version is what is strongly recommended to avoid an eventual rusty mess. Ginny Levy (The West Chester GC, Zone V) likes A.M. Leonard’s pink variety. Joyce Chen’s scissors is one of Susan O’Connor’s (Fort Orange GC, Zone III) favorites. Ruthie Taylor’s (The Little GC of Memphis, Zone IX) recommendation is the ultra-practical Brother P-touch label maker, which she uses on plant markers. The ones she prefers are vertical, rustproof, zinccoated markers from Gardeners Supply Co.

Using leaf blowers can be a tricky business, gas powered versions in particular. They are significant noise polluters, they are destructive to habitats, and they can unleash more environmental pollutants than a 6,200-pound Ford F-150 SVT pickup truck, according to a study by Edmunds. So that’s the bad news. The good news is that battery operated models are lighter and quieter and, if used responsibly, can make quick work of cleaning garages and patios of unwanted debris. That’s a long-winded segue to the answers to our question, “What’s your favorite large or powered garden tool?” Leaf blowers received the most responses. Deb Deres (Lenox GC, Zone I), Lynn Kunau (Glenview GC, Zone VII), and Kathy Palmer (Green Tree GC, Zone XI) are big fans and use theirs to clean off walkways and porches. Chain saws also got a few nods. Kathleen Jones (Des Moines Founders GC, Zone X) and Jane Booth (Virginia Beach GC, Zone VII) both prefer their battery powered versions, which are ideal for work with small-ish limbs.

Ryobi’s Whisper leaf blower series is lightweight and promises the industry’s quietest blowers. The 410 CFM is $169 and comes with one 18V rechargeable battery. Pink garden knife is $29.39 from A.M. Leonard

Noble Outfitter boots, $69.95

XtraTuf Buoy Ankle Deck boots, $95

For the all-important task of toting tools and supplies in the garden, Lydia Wallis (Southampton GC, Zone III) prefers her “very old, small little red wagon.” Buckets were popular with Hort Committee members as well; Madeline Mayhood likes the tool organizer from Huckberry that fits over any five-gallon bucket. It’s wax coated for super durability and has a whopping 58 pockets. Ruthie Taylor recommends Williams Sonoma’s aprons, which have ample pockets for storage and plenty of fabric on which to wipe dirty hands. Kathleen Jones recommends Tubtrugs for toting all manner of supplies and tools. They come in all sorts of colors and sizes (3.5 gallons and up).

The Cadillac of little red wagons, at $299, is from L.L. Bean. Radio Flyers are less expensive but have a lower profile so they don’t accommodate as much. Huckberry’s tool bucket organizer, $70, is the uberdeluxe version but it’s waxcoated and withstands lots of abuse. This cross-back chambray apron from Williams Sonoma is $35 and has lots of pockets. Tubtrugs from Gardener’s Supply Co. start at $12.95 for the 3.5 gallon size.

Womanswork Arm Saver Gloves are $35 from Womanswork

Kinsman & Company ultraplush kneeling cushion, at $35.95, is easy on the knees.

• Womanswork Arm Saver Gloves got a big nod from Ginny

Levy, who also dons sunglasses and a baseball hat when she works in the garden. • Julie Sakellariadis (GC of East Hampton, Zone III) buys super lightweight long pants from Coolibar and sends them to Insect Shield for treating with permethrin, a natural insect repellent. Insect Shield’s permethrintreating program starts at $8.50 per item. • Kathy Palmer reminds us that a kneeling cushion can be incredibly helpful. A super-cushy version is available from Kinsman Company, but less expensive varieties can be found on Amazon and at local garden centers. • Hillerich and Bradsby Bionic Gardening Gloves (both regular and rose gardening gloves) are Lynn Kunau’s go-to gardening gloves. The company, in Lynn’s hometown, also manufactures baseball bats and is famous for its

Louisville Slugger.