April is here and the Gardening season is upon us! I have prepared for y’all a quick list of TEN basic gardening essentials that are selling quickly AND are just all around good to have basic gardening supplies. All of these items are found inside the hardware store as the 2024 gardening season begins.

Spring Garden Essentials 101

1. Pair of new Gardening gloves

Why replace those old, dirty, grungy gloves??? First of all, the wear and tear factor of your old gloves, notice any holes??? You probably need to get rid of them. Then you must consider the dirt itself… soil does what is does… soil has bacteria and fungi that are constantly breaking down organic matter, wearing gloves just makes good sense as you garden. Been fighting in the weeds already??? Notice a patch of poison ivy? Definitely replace your gloves after the exposure. It’s definitely a good idea to get rid of those old ones for a new pair. I must admit I’m guilty about this one!!! I haven’t replaced my gloves 🧤 lately so this will be on my to do list first 2024!

2. Potting soil– Get growing with a fantastic growing medium. Baccto is definitely in order to refill your pots this Spring. Our repeat gardening customers love this potting soil AND it is a fantastic value!!! Other potting soils price their bags per quart or by Cubic foot(based on volume of product and additives) but not this brand! It’s priced by the gallon, making this a very affordable option and a much better value for quality potting soil! As a FULL service hardware store, we load these heavy bags into your vehicle for you!

3. Fertilizer– As you are planting, add a bit of fertilizer it will go a long way to help you during the growing season increasing the bloom potential for your flowers and adding nutrients to your plants.

4. Deer repellent- This is a vigilant and necessary action in our area. It is also very frustrating for homeowners who have a high deer population in their areas to work so diligently for months on creating a beautiful landscape to wake up the next morning to find their hard work all eaten up by 🦌 deer. Ugh!!!

In order for this product to work well, you MUST reapply after a rain storm, or weekly to keep those pesky deer out of growing gardens.

FYI: On a personal note, I have had to switch methods from using pods to sprays/ granular to keep deer activity to a minimum in my yard. If one method doesn’t seem to work well, don’t feel guilty about moving to another method to see if you can minimize the damage to your plants.

5. Water hose/replacement sprayer nozzle – If you water frequently during the spring and summer months, you need to evaluate the wear and tear on your water hose and also consider the consistent sun exposure on your water hose! Did you accidentally leave your water hose outside during the winter season??? It might be a good idea to replace the old worn hose or stop by to pick up a new hose washers, or replacement sprayer.

6. Weed control spray– As the weather warms up the weeds seem to grow better than flowers 😳enough said right ??? We keep a variety of different type of ready to go sprays and concentrate weed killers suitable for your specific needs. Stop by to chat with us about your garden care needs soon!

7. Long handle Gardening Tools– Shovels, rakes, hoe, weeding tools…My goodness!!! The list is long!!! It’s now time to check and evaluate your gardening tools. Do they need to be sharpened, OR do you need a new handle???? Before you begin the gardening season, consider the cost of a replacement handle or purchasing a new tool. Wilkes County Hardware can help you with tool sharpening, replacement handles or finding a new tool.

8. Hummingbird feeder- Hummers are on the way back to your yard in April. That’s right… these birds are repeat customers in your yard so be prepared! Hummingbirds are migratory birds & they will be eager to find a full feeder. Hummingbirds will return to the same source of food each and every year, if it is readily available. Be ready with a full feeder for your busy little hummingbirds.

Creating A Hummingbird Habitat: A Few Tips for a successful season

A. Hummingbird feeders ideally should be placed 15-20 feet from a window. Shrubs and trees nearby for resting areas for hummingbirds as they feed, and a have water source close by like a bird bath or a fountain.

B. Hummingbird Feeders should be cleaned out every few days as the temperature begins to warm up and feeder should not be placed into full sun.

C. Hummingbirds will be attracted to all the beautiful colors in your yard/garden. Yes, you can plant certain flowers that will attract hummingbirds. Vines, certain perennials, and tubular flowers are welcome sources of nectar.

D. Your Hummingbird feeder should be easily visible for your enjoyment and easy to spot by the hungry little hummingbird. Ideally the same location each year!

E. Lastly, use clear nectar in your feeder only. Yes, hummingbirds love the color red, but nectar is clear in its most natural form…the beautiful red, tubular flowers that hummingbirds love to feed from in nature. If you wish to attract more hummers, then go for a red hummingbird feeder and clear nectar.

9. Hand clippers- I cannot tell you how many times I have misplaced my handheld clippers that I frequently carry around as I’m working in the garden. It’s always good to have an extra pair!

10. Watering Can- Watering is a task that is ongoing the entire gardening season. Treat yourself to a new watering can from Wilkes County Hardware

11. Bonus : Some of y’all might be saying, she can’t count, she only said TEN.. but I HAD TO throw in a bonus… The Gorilla Cart– easy to maneuver, pneumatic wheels, durable tub, dump cart feature. This cart is on my shopping list too y’all!

Something about digging in the dirt is just good for the soul each and every Spring. Watching those beautiful blooms create new life and seeing the colors abound in the garden, simply a pleasure and brings a smile to my heart. My hope… this blog post gets you excited and ready to garden. We are ready and waiting for you to stop in and pick up a few gardening essentials all the while, sharing a few stories about your upcoming projects and goals for 2024 Gardening season. Let’s get Growing!