Product review: Gardzen 7 Gallon Grow Bags, Aeration Fabric Pots with Handles

 

I've been using grow bags for my tomatoes and cucumbers for about six years now. They work very well, draining well even during the wettest summers. While my neighbors struggled with poor tomato growth due to excessive rains two years ago, my plants thrived. I use a drip irrigation system to water them, so dryness hasn’t been an issue either.

One lesson I’ve learned is to steer clear of grow bags with canvas handles, as they tear after a single season outdoors. Instead, I choose bags with handles made from the same material as the bag itself. These have proven durable, lasting for years without breaking down. That’s why I opted for these particular bags.


You can find these bags on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Gardzen 7 Gallon Grow Bags

Product review: Wildlife Sciences High Energy Suet Cake - great for woodpeckers, bluejays, grackles

 

Suet cakes are loved by woodpeckers, bluejays, grackles, and, unfortenately, squirrels. It is a lot of fun to watch all of them.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Wildlife Sciences High Energy Suet Cake

Product review: Perky-Pet 334-1SR Birdfeeder, birds love it, squirrels hate it

 

Perky-Pet 334-1SR Squirrel-Be-Gone Max Large Wild Bird is the first bird feeder that the squirrels gave up on. We had it for over a month, then tried to use it for several weeks, unscrew the top, and so forth, and then gave up. The top is not screwed on, and the openings close reliably. Also, shaking the feeder does not drop seeds like some other bird seeders we tried. This morning, it survived another test. A bear grabbed it and took it away. He left it in the back of the property, unbroken. He removed the top, ate the seeds, and left.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

  You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Review of Perky-Pet 334-1SR Birdfeeder

Product review: FORUP Oriole Bird Feeder, Orange Fruit Oriole. Woodpeckers love it too!

 

Everyone loves FORUP Oriole Bird Feeder: orioles, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, catbird, and, unfortenately, squirrels. It is a lot of fun to watch all of them. Before this feeder we did not have orioles visiting, and now we do.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of FORUP Oriole Bird Feeder, Orange Fruit Oriole 

 

Product review: Original metal slinky - squirrel deferral that works

 

We purchased a set of metal slinkies to protect birdhfeeders from squirrels. They are effective! The squirrels slide down and give up.  

Surprisingly, the original metal Slikys, invented by Richard James in the early 1940s, are still made in USA as stated on their package.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Original metal slinky

Product review: Perky-Pet 334-1SR Birdfeeder anti-squirrel bird feeder, survied a bear visit

 

Perky-Pet 334-1SR Squirrel-Be-Gone Max Large Wild Bird is the first bird feeder that the squirrels gave up on. We had it for over a month, then tried to use it for several weeks, unscrew the top, and so forth, and then gave up. The top is not screwed on, and the openings close reliably. Also, shaking the feeder does not drop seeds like some other bird seeders we tried. This morning, it survived another test. A bear grabbed it and took it away. He left it in the back of the property, unbroken. He removed the top, ate the seeds, and left.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Review of Perky-Pet 334-1SR Birdfeeder 

 

 

Product review: Dr. Uang watering can - when one gallon can is not not one gallon

 

I purchased a watering can advertised as a one gallon watering can. When I received this can, it looked small. Sure enough, it is not one gallon, as stated in the description. It measured 3/4 of the gallon, which is about what you get when you convert 3 liters into gallons. The description should be more accurate when sold in the US market.

The spout is made out of three pieces. I think it will start leaking soon because I have hard water that will gum up the connections. The water comes out in a very gentle shower, which I like.

However, the size is not described correctly, and the size is the major factor in the rating.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Review of DR.UANG Store Outdoor Watering Can for Plants 1 gallon

Product review: Slofunife Pinwheels - Step-by-step slow-mo video of pinwheel assembly

 

These spinners are visually appealing and add a decorative touch to my garden. I installed them with the intention of deterring rabbits from my vegetables.

I used to see the rabbit family continuously through the day, While I haven't observed any rabbits on the first day after installation, it is too early to determine their effectiveness definitively. If they stops avoiding them, they still look pretty.


Assembly was straightforward after understanding the initial step, which involved attaching the leaves to the yellow clips for subsequent threading through the plastic arm.

The spinwheels are pretty sturdy; the sticks, however, are not. They are made out of plastic straws, and some were loose-fitting. Two out of twelve too were loose. I had to make them shorter by throwing out the loose parts.




Review of Slofunife Reflective Pinwheels
 

You can find these spinners on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Tent Stakes Heavy Duty Metal 12 Inch

 I purchased heavy-duty tent stakes, which came as a set of eight stakes. They are 12 inches long and are made out of metal. Each stake weighs 5.35 oz. They have a hook and eye to tie things down. The pointy end goes into the ground well; I use a mallet to pound it in. So far, so good; I will post an update if they start rusting.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Tent Stakes Heavy Duty Metal 12 Inch

Product review: ALIENTABI 0.4 Gallon Handheld Pump Sprayer

 

The sprayer works well. It generates a steady spray after a few pumps. The power of the spray can be changed by turning the ring on the nozzle. When the sprayer does not spray, it means the pressure is too low, and I need to pump the handle to build up the pressure.

⭐ This sprayer does not have a relief valve. The pressure is relieved by unscrewing the top and needs to be done very carefully to avoid getting splashed by the content spray.

⭐ This sprayer does not have a hands-free operation. This sprayer does not have a mechanism that leaves the sprayer spraying without holding down the lever, like some of my other sprayers.

⭐ Oddness: the bottle came with some water at the bottom. Not sure if the manufacturer tested every unit (which seem unlikely) or if this was a return (more likely). However, the sprayer worked fine, so if it was a return, it could have been one of the issues I mentioned earlier.

⭐ I liked that it came with an extra nozzle. Sometimes nozzles get plugged up, and the extra nozzle will extend the life of this sprayer.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of ALIENTABI 0.4 Gallon Handheld Pump Sprayer
 

Product review: Muse Garden Hummingbird Feeder for Hand-blown Glass Outdoors

 

Muse Garden feeder hummingbird feeder is a hand-blown glass hummingbird feeder that holds 27 ounces of sugar syrup.  It looks pretty, and hummingbirds like the syrup.  We purchased several of them and placed them on a different side of the yard.  The birds found them quickly and go through 27 ounces in each feeder a week.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★  

Review of Muse Garden Hummingbird Feeder for Outdoors

Product review: KUNELL PAPO Soil Test Kit for Moisture, pH level, light

 

The most important part of the review first: This probe helped find that the  soil in my garden is too acid, and I need to lime it.  Is the probe perfect? No.  Details below.

This mechanical meter allows you to switch between testing moisture, light, and PH balance. It has a built-in battery, which cannot be changed. The switch is cumbersome to use; the dial is hard to see when you insert it straight down. After having trouble seeing the values, I found that it was best to insert the probes at an angle, so the dial faces up.

To test the soil, you need to insert the probe two to four inches and leave it in the soil for 10 minutes according to the instructions.  However, I found that the value does not change after a few seconds. Before I bought the probe, I thought I would permanently leave it on the ground, but the instructions said that you must remove the probe after the test and clean it.

A pH of 6.5 is ideal for growing vegetables; the range from pH 6.0 to 7.0 is acceptable for vegetables. If the soil pH level is below 5.5 or above 7.5, soil treatment or modification often is necessary. Acid soil is 3.5-8 pH level, Alkaline soil is 7-8 pH level. For low pH level (below 5.5), one needs to apply lime to soil.  I am using chicken poop pellets, which work similar to lime.

I noticed that pH level value changed after I watered the plants. Water has a neutral pH level, so it temporarily raises the soil's pH level. As you see in the attached video,  the tester showed that my soil was too acidic, and I needed to apply lime.  You can also see how watering temporary improved the pH level.

Settings:

Acid soil is 3.5-8 pH level
Alkaline soil is 7-8 pH level

Moisture level dry 1-3
Moisture level normal 4-7
Moisture level wet 8-10

Light level low 0-200 Lux
Light level low+ 200-500 Lux
Light level normal 500-1000 Lux
Light level high 1000-2000 Lux

You can find it on Amazon by following this link. Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of KUNELL PAPO Soil Test Kit for Moisture

Product review: JARKLIN Geotextile 5oz 3ft X 50ft Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric Heavy Duty Weed Block

 

 I have been using weed fabric for many years, and this fabric looks much heavier than the previous types I have used. The top of the fabric is a shiny type weave, and the bottom has a fuzzy feel to it. When I look through the fabric with the light behind it, the light barely comes through. This was not the case with the other fabrics; I could see the light shining through. Despite the tight weave, the water goes through the fabric just fine. It will take a couple of seasons to see how this weed fabric holds up, but I am happy so far.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Voltkore Leaf & Snow Blower, Cordless Leaf Blower 3.5lbs

 

I was attracted to this blower because it is cordless and light, so I can get to the areas that are not all that close to the house where I can plug in the electric cord.

Voltkore Leaf Blower was easy to put together, and it was reasonably light (about 3.5 pounds). However, its air power is rather weak. It is significantly weaker than my plug-on leaf blower/mulcher. It has trouble getting leaves out between coming up flowers and stuck in the bush. It could blow leaves that just lay on top of the grass.

One of the batteries does seem to fit the charger. After using it, when I attempt to plug it into the charger, the charger never turns red to indicate it is charging. The second battery starts by turning the charger red then turns green.  Note that my video is taken with the good battery.

On the positive side, because it blows weakly it is much more quiet than my plug-in leaf blower.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆  

Product review: Solar Animal Repeller, Animal Deterrent with Motion Sensor: no effect on cirtters!

 My goal was to keep away squirrels and rabbits. The repeller did not seem to have any effect on them. Our cats were not bothered by the unit. They initially sniffed the unit, as they do with every new thing they see, and then just began ignoring it.

The repellent is 4.25" tall and 4" wide. It comes with a removable pole. It can be charged by plugging into a USB power or via a solar charger on top of the unit. You need to use a small button on the bottom to turn on and control the unit. You need to push the button repeatedly to cycle through the unit's modes. I found it very difficult to tell which mode the unit was in; there is no good feedback on its mode. I could not get any sounds or flashing to happen when I waved my hands. I was able to turn the unit on because a dim red light began blinking (although documentation does not explain the meaning of the blinking).

According to documentation, the motion detector works in 3 feet radius. I could not make it produce noise or flashing. I think the ultrasound is working because, assuming the slow dim red blink indicates it is doing something.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: Garsum Fly Clear Window Fly Traps Bug Fly Killer Window Fly Paper

 

All of a sudden, I had a fly infestation.  The flies seem to be coming from the basement, so maybe there is a dead mouse somewhere in there.  I got these fly traps and installed one in the basement and one in the kitchen. The traps caught some flies, but some of them were able to free themselves (see attached video). So the trap worked some, but not as well as I hoped.

The trap is easy to install. First, you need to remove a thin, sticky tape to attach to the window; then, once it is on the window, you need to remove the large paper that covers the landing strip for the flies.  Instructions recommend adding honey for extra appeal to your guests.

The trap with flies looks pretty disgusting, so I can't wait to get it off the window. There are a total of 12 sticky strips.  The longer you have them out, the less sticky they become from dust and drying.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Generep Weed Eater Spool for Black and Decker AF-100,30 Feet/0.065 Inches Line String Trimmer Autofeed System Replacement Spool

 

I bought this spool for Black and Decker Cordless String Trimmer/Edger (NST2118), and it is a perfect fit.  In addition to the spools, the package also includes two spool caps and two springs.  This set will keep my trimmer happy for a long time.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: MIXC Plant Caddy, 12 Inch Plant Stand with Wheels, Outdoor Round Wood Rolling Plant Dolly

 I usually prefer wood to plastic, but not in this case.  These plant caddies are not finished very well, so they are likely to get ruined by constant runoff from the plant pot that will rest on the caddy.  I got these caddies for the outside deck, and I doubt they will last for many seasons being outside in the rain and water runoff from the plants.  Each plant caddy is 28 oz.  The wheels are screwed in and not removable.  They have locks.  There is a hole in the middle of each caddy for drainage.  If scalloped edges were visible, they would be attractive, but in my case, they are covered by the pots and are not visible.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: NvVn 5 Pack 7 Gallon Grow Bags Thick Breathable Non-Woven Fabric Pot for Plants Flower and Fruits

 

NvVn 7 gallon grow bags are 14" tall and 11" wide.  I have been using growing bags for my tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini for the last five years.  The first set of bags is still intact, but parts of the bags are covered with green mold, and I decided to replace them.  These bags are a little taller and a little more narrow than my original bags. I each 7-gallon bag for one plant, so the slight shape change should not matter. 

These bags have a flap that Velcro holds down. The flaps are useful if you are growing potatoes, but they are a negative otherwise because after a few years, Velcro becomes less sticky, and the dirt begins to fall out. I used my sewing machine to stitch around the opening to close the flaps permanently.

The package also includes large gloves (they are too big for me) and a set of small-size garden tools (7.5" long).  I've had such small tools and not sure how useful they will be.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Regency Natural Cooking Twine 1/2 Cone 100% Cotton 500ft

Regency Cooking Twine is a spool of 500 feet of 100% cotton twine. It is 1/8" thick. This is a 16 ply chef-grade cooking twine. The twine is unbleached and made in the USA.

This twine is strong and biodegradable. I have used it for cooking, however, most of my use for this thread is not for cooking but in the garden to provide support for tomatoes and cucumbers.  It is strong, soft, and smooth so it does not cut into the gentle stems of my plants, unlike the twine that is label as garden twine which is coarse and rough.  When new, this cotton twine is strong and I cannot break it by hand. It provides good strong support all summer. How the next year, in the spring, I noticed that the threads that were left hanging on my trellis already started biodegrading and I am able to break by hand.  The old threads go into my composter, so nothing is wasted!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★