Felknor Ventures 82506 Topsy Turvy Upside-Down Tomato Planter Review.

 "Goodbye Slugs, Hello Tomatoes" 2006-08-28
By Karoly (Western WA-USA)

I have used the Topsy Turvy Tomatoe Planter for 3 seasons now, and will never, ever plant my tomatoes in the ground again. This product is sturdy, simple to use, and produces beautiful fruit. Because the plants grow toward the sun and never touch the ground, the slugs and other critters cannot ruin or run off with your produce. As I have already stated, I have used the same bags for 3 seasons now, and have not had any problems at all. I highly recommend this product.

****Later Posting****

I used these for 4 seasons, and that was about the end the first pair...they do wear out eventually, and they were well worth the price I paid for them. So, I guess I need to replace them! Four summers' worth was pretty good!

 "topsy turvey tomatoe planter" 2008-09-01
By David A. Kunkler

I have read most of the reviews before I bought the Tosy Turvy Planter. I have harvested tomatoes successfuly. I changed the planting procedure like this. To make it 'not so heavy' I layered the planter with potting soil, styrofoam peanuts and spaghnum moss. Each layer was about 3 inches in depth. This took away the weight problem. I hung them(3) from outside fence posts surrounded by sun. This took away the rot problem. It is a good product if you customize the procedure to fit the environment. Dave Kunkler, Rushville, Ohio.

 "A wonderful way to use vertical space" 2006-03-08
By Maureen Mielcarek (Lancaster, California)

I bought two topsy turvy planters. They arrived in just a couple of days. The are now planted with tomatoes and bell peppers. They are wonderful and easy to use.

I just ordered three more to try with cucumbers, zukes, and green beans. I recommend them to any one who wants and easy way to grow fresh vegetables.

 "Loved This Product" 2007-09-05
By H. Noble (USA)

BUY IT!! I purchased 3 of these for growing Tomato's, Green Peppers and Cucumbers and they all worked like a dream. Plants were healthy, full and produced alot of edible vegetables. I had assumed at the time i was researching this item that they dry out fast in the summer sun and that i would have to water constantly but that was not the case. I only watered once every other day. The chamber holds alot of moisture and because its plastic prevents alot of the evaporation. Only recommendation is find a sturdy spot for the hanger then leave it there until the season is over. My neighbor also bought a couple and moved them once they got to big breaking the stem of one tomato plant with was laddened with fruits. So allow at least 3-4ft of clearance under the planter for extensive growth then enjoy the resulting harvest!

 "Tomato planter" 2006-05-22
By Kristie Bridgham (Renton, WA)

I purchased two Topsy Turvy Tomato Planters and planted two tomato plants in each. After a month they are doing very well and getting flowers. Planting upside down is not easy. I thought this would work great since I have a 2 year old who will dig in a regular pot on the ground. It's kind of tricky to get the plants in the planter. And you will make a big mess. But they take up less space on my patio and are a great topic of interest for visitors. I'm very happy with them so far.

Moonrays 99924 Color-Changing Glass Ball Fixture Review.

 "More Colors Than Other changing I Puchased" 2008-07-16
By ireneinla (LA CA)

For the past year I've owned similar lights that change to 3 colors in the garden. I love them so much; I searched and found these. WOW, I did not know they could be even better than the 3 color lights. The seven are amazing and remind me of the light display here in LA at LAX airport. I have many of the lights and there's always a light display in my night garden.I am actually buying more to "share". I would suggest having at least 3 for best effect.

 "Moonrays color changing solar balls #99924" 2008-02-27
By David Pucciarelli (Martinsburg, WV United States)

These are excellent decorative solar lights that would enhance anyones back yard or deck. I have mine on my deck spaced out along 40 feet and it is surely eye candy to watch. The charge they get during the day keeps them glowing all night. I bought mine at Lowes last year for about $17 but I see now that they have about doubled in price since that time. Could be because Moonrays doesn't produce them anymore and they are only available on the secondary market. 02/27/08

 "Beautiful Lights" 2009-06-24
By K. Nordhus

I just received mine last week and they are beautiful. They do need to get at least 8 hours of sunlight to work properly though, so you might take this into account when planning out your garden. Also to get the full effect of these gorgeous lights you're going to want to order at least 3-4.

 "great!" 2009-05-21
By kj (Maryland)

Just got this light - I really only bought it to get to $25 Super Saver Shipping. I garden and do some mosaic stuff, so I thought it looked neat.

I really like it, though! It's pretty tall and the glass part looks nice and is large enough to stand out, but not huge. Probably a little smaller than a softball or a little bigger than a large xmas ball.

I didn't turn mine on to charge until around noon today and it is on tonight (not sure how long it will stay lit, though). The light is fairly bright and it looks really pretty. It doesn't illuminate a ton (mostly just for looks), but with a few, it could light up a pathway. The glass pieces used are clear. The solar panel piece doesn't look awful in the daylight, either.

The only thing I don't love is the colors: red, yellow, and green. Not the color combo I would have picked, but it is the one in the picture, so I knew basically what I was getting. I wish it was a bit more multicolored or you could choose from more options (I don't want the clear "color changing" version). This would make a great gift for a gardener!

 "These are so much fun!" 2009-06-20
By Annie

I purchased two of these at a local store and liked them so much I wanted more. But all local stores in the area were out, so I started searching the internet. I found plenty that only glowed three colors. (THESE glow Seven colors) When I finally found these I purchased three more.

They are now placed in my back yard raised bed gardens. They are so delightful to watch as they all compete for your attention, glowing different colors and brightness.

But aside from that, Amazon is THE place to purchase them. One from my original order arrived broken. I got online, found a form which I filled out. It had me print postage and everything! I sent the item back in the original box with no hassle. I got refunded the cost of the original and in the process ordered two more.

If there would be any regrets, it might be that I didn't order more. I want these to last forever. Maybe I will order 6 more in case any one of these ever gets broken.

Oh, and speaking of that, the 4 from Amazon are much hardier and stronger than the ones I bought from the discount store. They have larger charging cells, they screw into each other rather than just slide. They are just better built.

I am so happy every time I look into my back yard. Even in the daytime, the crackle balls are delightful to see.

~a

Fiskars 7067 3-Piece Softouch Garden Tool Set Review.

 "Great deal on the standard garden hand tools" 2008-02-08
By DustyBeard (Oregon)

Cast aluminum garden tools are the way to go...bought my first in 1975, coated the handles in plastic dip and until stolen early this year, they were as good as new. Amazon made me an offer I could not refuse and this set has the perfect tools with nice grips. Bought two sets for my retirement (huge) garden.

 "You can't break these" 2009-05-20
By RugerRedhawk (Upstate NY, USA)

These are very rugged, and won't rust because they are aluminum. If there ever is a problem they are covered by a lifetime warranty by fiskars, so I don't really see how you could go wrong. There is no way you could break these things under any sort of normal use.

 "Fiskars Rule" 2010-04-17
By Mark W. Sweeny Jr. (Town of Onondaga, N.Y. USA)

Really this Is a great set of garden tools with GREAT handles. Non bendable or breakable.

Well worth the money for any gardner.

I've had cheaper one's that just don't make It or they bend easily.

You won't be sorry with this set.

 "Very Nice Set" 2009-06-01
By W. Matthews (Strongstown, PA United States)

This is a nice set of hand garden tools. They are comfortable with the grips and seem like they are made of high quality material.

The blades are stronger than I expected, it isn't the cheap, flimsy metal that you normal find on a tool like this.

I would recommend these tools to any home gardener.

 "Top Quality" 2009-06-17
By SHAMANTH NV (INDIA)

I gifted it to my mom, she was very happy with the quality, though i got it for pretty cheap.

Step2 5A0000 Garden Hopper Mobile Garden Stool and Storage Review.

 "Great Garden Helper!" 2002-10-07
By L. J Young (Grand Forks, ND)

I must admit that this was somewhat an impulse purchase, it appeared in my Gold Box and I bought it. It is a great help around the garden. I find that it works best on the sidewalk beside the garden. If I try to sit on it and scoot around the garden, it tends to get stuck. It also works well as a small, mobile table when planting items into my garden. The handy storage area under the seat is a great place to keep garden tools, however it does not provide for drainage, so gloves, metal implements proably should not be stored there.

 "Not just for the garden!" 2001-03-10
By

I have severe back and leg problems and can't bend down. I use my Garden Hopper in the house to reach low items, pick up things from the floor and any other chore that would require bending down. The large wheels make it easy to move about when you are sitting on it. The light weight makes it easy to carry. With my Garden Hopper I can do things I haven't been able to do in years.

 "Handy For Narrow gardens" 2005-07-11
By James P. Yates

I purchased this as a gift for my wife, who cultivates a small front garden of flowers and spices, and a small side garden on the side of our house. This device is great, allowing her to move and reach items she needs. I think it is a great device for simple gardening, but I would think larger gardens may be a little larger than this item can handle. However, for small "urban or suburban" gardens, I doubt I could find anything better. I suggest this device for all entry level gardeners.

 "Garden hopper" 2005-08-09
By M. Williams (Riverside,Calif.)

I really like this little garden helper.

My mother-in-law (75yrs old) and I (still young) garden together.

The Garden Hopper has been great for both of us, she can sit

and I can store tools underneath

 "Garden Scooter-Hopper" 2007-06-27
By Jean M. Wardwell

this is a fabulous product for people with knee problems. It allows me to continue to garden with titanium knees. I cannot kneel. I weed, pick my raspberries, weed, do whatever I want in my large yard. With out it I would either have to sell my large yard and house or live in a weed investation of monumental proportions. It is great. I am constantly telling all my friends about it.

Fiskars 9424 Garden Bucket Caddy Review.

 "An Edge for the Older Gardener" 2002-06-08
By (Paso Robles, California United States)

My wife has a green fist! Yes, I know the cliche is: "my wife has a green thumb." Every living plant, vine, bush or tree she touches in her garden or around the house grows, thrives, and reproduces. Indeed, even slips from someone else's garden bursts into life when she transplants it.

Our little garden out back is a riot of color and variety and only a year ago it was a dry plot of deep, impenatrable lifeless clay. Today people suck in their breath when they walk out the patio door into her "Eden" (my name for the space).

But my wife is about to turn 70. She is plagued with migraine headaches, vertigos and is having a long convelescence from a fall that broke many things. She is slower, more deliberate in pace. Stooping is a hazard and so is running back and forth for tooks.

But out she goes each day to trim, water, admire and talk to her growing things. She needs an assistant or attendent who makes her chores less painful. The bucket caddy and a little army surplus stool fit the bill.

She sits on the little canvas stool and places the caddy next to her with all her favorite tools, plant foods and mysterious sprays. She waters from that position.

There is less pain in her day, less worry and so the lucious colored and growing things thrive and spread and even march up the outside walls of our house. For 50 years she nourished and nurtured the lives of young children in the class room, now she continues in her garden. People like my wife should have all the convenient and proper tools they need for their work for they are part of ongoing creation which benefits us all.

Her husband? Even a silk plant dies in his office! Thanks for creating a thoughtful helpmate with this product for my wife.

 "Very Very Handy." 2006-04-13
By Douglas E. Wong (Riverside, CA)

Pros:

This is a terrific product. I use it mainly for weeding and pruning; keeping my cellphone, a bottle of water, my weeder and pruner in the caddy while throwing the weeds into the center of the bucket for later disposal. I don't do a lot of gardening, all my plants are planted and set and I spend maybe a couple hours a week doing general maintenance. This is perfect for that. For heavy tools, you'll want to get a caddy designed for that purpose, such as the Bucket Boss. This Garden Caddy is very very clever and handy, and designed specifically for gardening purposes. I love it.

Some minor, minor concerns:

1. The strap is velcro. The product description mentions a "lock-and-loop fastener" but perhaps that was an earlier version? Unless "lock-and-loop" is code for velcro. This is a concern for me because velcro doesn't work too well when muddy, or old, and if I have heavy items I'm worried it might not hold. However, I've given the caddy a few good tugs and even left it hanging overnight with some very heavy items attached and it seems to hold very well. So until I see otherwise, the velcro is probably fine, especially since I won't be buckling and unbuckling it often.

2. None of the compartments are elastic. There are enough compartments of different sizes that this isn't a problem for me, but I would've liked to see one or two that stretch so my kneepads aren't such a tight-fit. Still, it's not like I actually need an elastic compartment, so maybe I'm being picky.

Some notes:

This only fits a 5-gallon bucket. The bucket is not included. A bucket will cost you $3 - $6 at your local hardware store, though if you have one lying around from a paint job, or even your CostCo laundry detergent, it'll fit.

Overall, this is an extremely useful tool, perfect for light-gardening. The price is low (on occasion you'll see it as low as 5 bucks at local stores, but I wouldn't hassle over the 2.50 here as you'll want to get this asap, it's that handy). 5 Stars for a well-thought-out product!

 "A Convienent Way to Carry your Gardening Tools, etc." 2002-10-12
By H. Row (Arvada, CO United States)

I like Bucket Boss - Fiskars products. This item is well thought out and well made. There are pockets sized for all your hand tools including bulb planter, a convienent "wallet" for seed pockets, a secure cell phone pouch, and even room for a squeeze drink bottle. I would also recommend getting one of Bucket Boss' Bucket Grip.

 "performs well" 2004-04-25
By

I bought this so I could stop running back and forth to the garage to get the next tool I needed. I bought a 5 gal paint bucket at home deport (orange or white) that works great! I use the inside of the bucket for knee pads and lopers and the seed packet holder on the outside for the tags that come with my plants. I was thrilled that the water bottle holder holds a 1 liter bottle, not those tiny .5 liter ones. It has plenty of pockets for your assorted garden tools and it's made out of heavy material so I look forward to many years of use.

 "You Can Wear it Too!" 2006-07-24
By Ms. Opinionated (Chestertown, MD USA)

When I received this item I thought it would make a great apron with much deeper and more useful pockets than my plain garden apron. It is constructed of two pieces with splits on either side and it closes with a velcro strap so it should adjust to fit most people.

And the price is excellent for such a well-made item.