Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
December, 2004
Regional Report
Tool or Gardening Product
Long-Handled Spading Fork
Instead of a shovel, I depend on my long-handled spading fork for heavy-duty garden digging. The tines enable easier entry into the soil, break up soil clumps more readily, and enable quick mixing of amendments. The long handle allows me to do the work without bending too much, and it provides leverage for lifting and moving soil. The two brands I have are Bulldog, and Spear and Jackson, and I've been equally thrilled with them both.
Clever Gardening Technique
Provide for Birds
Provide protected nesting and feeding stations for winter's hungry birds, and keep them well-supplied with seeds, suet, and water. They'll reward you in the spring and summer by eating the garden's undesirable insects.
