MEMBERTESTED
3,387 National Home Gardening Club members tested products valued at $53,515 for this issue.
ROSS TANNER, PRODUCT TEST EDITOR
electric trimmer and edger
Positec USA, 866-354-WORX, www.worxyardtools.com
MEMBER RATING: 8.9
BEST FEATURE: EASE OF USE
Weighing only 5 pounds, the Lithium-Powered WORX GT Trimmer and Edger
($149.99) features an adjustable handle and telescopic shaft for better comfort and control,
along with an adjustable spacer guard to protect flowers. In seconds, it easily converts from a
trimmer to an edger with rubberized twin wheels.
MARIE JOHNSTON, LUGOFF, SC “The WORX GT Trimmer and Edger is versatile and easy to
use, has an ergonomic build, and is lightweight.”
STEPHANIE GEORGE, HILLIARD, FL “It is easy to modify for individual use, quickly changes from
edger to trimmer, and packs a lot of power.”
mosquito protection
Outdoor Solutions Inc., 888-895-BUZZ, www.skeeterdefeater.com
MEMBER RATING: 8.4
BEST FEATURE: EASE OF USE
The portable and battery-operated Skeeter Defeater ($69.95 for dispenser, $12.95
for aerosol ammo) sprays a botanical contact insecticide at dusk and dawn, when
mosquitoes are most active. It provides up to 300 square feet of coverage, making
it perfect for patios, decks, and anywhere else you need protection.
“My son is allergic to mosquito bites. With the
Skeeter Defeater, I can minimize the mosquitoes in our yard. He is so happy now!”
LORI SIMMONS, MARIETTA, GA “It keeps the mosquito population down, which allows us to enjoy our yard and
deck at all times.”
VIRGINIA STEFFENS, LAKE WORTH, FL
bypass loppers
Fiskars, 800-500-4849, www.fiskars.com
MEMBER RATING: 9.4
BEST FEATURE: PERFORMANCE
The Fiskars PowerGear 2 17-inch Bypass Loppers ($34.99) use a patented mechanism that
makes cutting three times easier. The razor-sharp blades have a 1½-inch cutting capacity. They’re
precision-ground and fully hardened so they maintain a sharp edge. Lifetime warranty.
MARYA KATZ, BLACKSBURG, VA “The gearing on these loppers turned even the maximum-diameter cut into a
simple snip. I never had to strain to finish the cut.”
LYNN THIEWES, NAPLES, FL “The PowerGear 2 loppers cut my work time in half.”
This seal is awarded to
the products on these
pages, which our testers
recommend to fellow
Club members.
54 JULY/AUGUST 2009 | GARDENINGCLUB.COM
See the Deals &
Discounts section of
www.gardeningclub.com
for special offers from
these companies.
ABOUT THE TESTING PROCESS These
products were tested and recommended by fellow
National Home Gardening Club members. The
Member Rating is based on a 1 to 10 scale, with
10 being the highest. To become a product tester,
you must complete a Product Test Profile form,
available at www.gardeningclub.com or by calling
Member Services at 800-324-8454.
squirrel and rabbit trap
Woodstream Corp., 800-800-1819, www.havahart.com
MEMBER RATING: 8.5
BEST FEATURE: DURABILITY
Made in the United States, the Havahart Easy Set Squirrel and Rabbit Trap
($49.99) is made of durable, high-tensile wire mesh with steel reinforcements.
Spring-loaded doors and sensitive triggers ensure quick and safe captures, and
solid doors and handle guards protect users during transportation.
JANIS HAYDEN, GULFPORT, MS
“It provides a humane way to remove rabbits, foxes, and squirrels from your
property.”
“In a short time, the Havahart Easy Set Trap helped me catch three
squirrels, eight rabbits, and one mole. All were safely transported away from my yard, never to return.”
ROXANNE BOURGEOIS, GREENSBURG, LA
plant tie and dispenser
Velcro USA Inc., 800-225-0180, www.velcro.com
MEMBER RATING: 8.6
BEST FEATURE: PERFORMANCE
The Velcro Plant Tie and Dispenser ($8.99) clips onto your waistband, allowing
one-hand operation. The dispenser uses a stainless steel blade for cutting
appropriate plant tie lengths. Ties are water resistant, reusable, adjustable, and
perfect for supporting the stems of vegetables, fruit plants, and flowers.
“The Plant Tie and Dispenser system places
everything in a handy location. The ties work great, with no slippage or opening.”
LAURA TALLEY, POWDERLY, TX “It is handy to use in the garden to stake up
plants. The ties do not bind plants as wire does, and they are more durable than
floral tape.”
DAVE KOLESAR, SAN JOSE, CA
biodegradable pots
The Liquid Fence Co., 800-923-3623, www.cowpots.com
MEMBER RATING: 8.9
BEST FEATURE: EASE OF USE
Made from renewable composted cow manure, CowPots ($8.99 for 12 4-inch pots) give
seedlings a better start. Young roots easily penetrate the sides and bottom. When you’re
ready to plant, place the entire CowPot into the soil. The composted manure naturally
biodegrades.
“I have never had luck with planting seeds,
but the CowPots helped me obtain a 90 percent success rate. My hot peppers are thriving and happy!”
BARRY HAMILTON, ETOWAH, TN “The convenience of having a pot that can be planted directly into the ground,
along with the fact that it’s made with a natural fertilizer, makes CowPots a great aid in planting and growing
any type of plant.”
KIMBERLY SZALAY, LANCASTER, PA
garden spray
Lilly Miller Brands, 800-265-0761, www.worryfreebrand.com
MEMBER RATING: 8.1
BEST FEATURE: EASE OF USE
Worry Free 3 in 1 Garden Spray ($6.99 for 24 ounces) is an effective and convenient all-in-one
fungicide, insecticide, and miticide. Use on roses, vegetables, fruits, shrubs, houseplants, and trees
to control fungal diseases, aphids, mites, whiteflies, leafhoppers, thrips, scale, and caterpillars.
JULIE HENDERSON, MOORE, SC “The 3 in 1 Garden Spray bottle is easy to use. It’s nice to use
one product to take care of so many pests and diseases.”
KENNETH MCGUIRE, DOVER, AR “I used it on all my plants before putting them into the
greenhouse for the winter, and they stayed bug-free all winter.”
GARDENINGCLUB.COM 55
insect repellent
Bug Bam Products LLC, 888-899-3308, www.bugbam.com
MEMBER RATING: 7.9
BEST FEATURE: CONVENIENCE
Effective for up to 100 hours, the all-natural Bug Bam Insect Repelling Grid ($5.99)
protects against insect bites and insect-spread diseases without the use of DEET. Using a
blend of naturally derived essential oils, the grid safely repels mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, gnats,
and no-see-ums.
“The Bug Bam Insect Repelling Grid smells better
than other repellents. It kept bugs away from my sitting area for more than 30 days.”
COLYN BONYNGE, LADY LAKE, FL “The design of the grid allows me to hang it in my
garage and out in the yard. It has kept the mosquitoes away.”
LORI TAUBE, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
pruner
Better Garden Tools, 800-524-5275, www.bettergardentools.com
MEMBER RATING: 8.7
BEST FEATURE: EASE OF USE
The Compact Ratchet Pruner ($24.95) has a smaller, ergonomic design that makes it
perfect for women’s hands. With a fiberglass frame and a nonstick blade made of
hardened alloy steel, the pruner uses a powerful ratcheting action to cut branches up
to ¾ inch thick.
“The Compact Ratchet Pruner fits
comfortably in my hand. It easily cuts through branches 1 inch thick.”
LEONA ROSSITER, SPRING HILL, FL “It made trimming my shrubs exciting instead
of a chore. I didn’t have to fight with the stems at all, just clicked and cut.”
PAULINE SCOTT, MONTGOMERY, AL
insecticide
TGlobal Inc., 701-738-0082, www.gobugslug.com
MEMBER RATING: 6.9
BEST FEATURE: DESIGN
The eco-friendly Bug Slug ($24.99 for 8 ounces) attacks an insect’s respiratory apparatus.
It doesn’t pose any threat to humans, pets, or the environment, and is effective for
controlling mosquitoes, flies, fleas, gnats, spiders, fire ants, ticks, mites, and more.
“Bug Slug worked very well in my yard.
It has kept the bugs away so we can enjoy ourselves.”
TRACY DIXON, BIRMINGHAM, AL “It worked great on ants, mosquitoes, and fleas. I will
be using Bug Slug for years to come.”
PHYLLIS VANDENHEUVEL, FORT WORTH, TX
bird food
Unipeck of America LLC, 888-803-4485, www.unipeckusa.com
MEMBER RATING: 7.5
BEST FEATURE: EASE OF USE
Mealworm Time ($7.75 for a bag of 3,250 mealworms) is a bag of preservativeand additive-free whole dried mealworms that are high in protein, fat, and
potassium. It is an excellent year-round food for bluebirds, flickers, woodpeckers,
nuthatches, siskins, chickadees, and other birds.
JANET GEER, NIOTA, TN “We have tried for years to entice eastern bluebirds into our
yard. Within two weeks of using Mealworm Time, we had several regular visitors.”
PHYLLIS SMITH, GRAND ISLAND, FL “I have never seen so many different types of
birds flock to my feeder. It is such a joy to watch.”
56 JULY/AUGUST 2009 | GARDENINGCLUB.COM
tests in progress
Made from cedar that is pretreated
with a water-based stain, the 8-foot
by 8-foot OASIS COMPLETE
GARDENING SYSTEM ($899) is a
self-contained, all-in-one garden that
can provide herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
It features an automatic irrigation
system, a built-in trellis, a garden hose
with sprayer, 20-inch raised beds, polyethylene planting tubs, spacious
double-door entry, and pest-proof flooring and fencing. Backyard
Leisure, www.backyardbotanical.com.
The FISKARS POWERLEVER EASY REACH 25INCH BYPASS PRUNER
($36.99) features extended
handles to safely prune dense shrubs and thorny rose bushes. It also
allows you to use both hands for better strength and control. Its
Power-Lever mechanism doubles the cutting power, and the razorsharp, fully hardened blade has a ¾-inch cutting capacity. Lifetime
warranty. Fiskars, 800-500-4849, www.fiskars.com.
Designed to repair bare spots in your lawn or
underneath trees, the TOTAL TURF PATCH
($9.95 for 30-ounce bag) covers up to 250
square feet or 90 bare spots. The gypsum and
seed combination acts as a soil conditioner,
fertilizer, and seed stimulator that grows
anywhere, is safe for the environment, and
germinates in five to seven days. K9 Turf
Products, 253-383-5014, www.k9yardpatch.com.
Available in six sizes with five
color options, the EASY
ARRANGER ($7 for 6-inch
diameter) quickly turns
flowers into a professionallooking floral arrangement.
This bloom-shaped grid fits
over the top of a vase and is
ideal for showcasing your beautiful flowers.
Annabelle Noel Designs, 866-886-9901, www.easyarranger.com.
The HOSE BIBB LOCK WITH PADLOCK
($18.99) prevents water theft and vandalism to
outdoor faucets and hose spigots. Its fitting
assembly securely screws onto the end of any
standard ¾-inch garden hose bibb, yard hydrant,
or vacuum breaker and will prevent water flow
even if the handle is turned on. The cover rests
on the fitting assembly and is designed to spin
freely, preventing others from using the faucet. ConservCo Water
Conservation Products, LLC, 775-747-3333, www.conservco.us.
GARDENINGCLUB.COM 57