The reason that soil pH levels are so important is because minerals and nutrients in the soil can only reach plants if the pH is the appropriate level for the specific plant.  Also, the bacteria in soil thrive in more neutral soil, and bacteria is important because it breaks down organic matter for plants.

But alas, different plants like different acidity levels.  Examples of plants that like more acidic environments are camellia, bugleweed, and gardenia, who all like the soil pH levels to be around 5.0 – 6.0.  Plants that like alkaline environments are trees like cedar elm, shrubs such as lavender, and herbs like baby’s breath.  All of these plants like soil pH levels to be higher than 7.0.

Lucky for gardeners everywhere, there is a great tool you can use to check your soil’s pH levels.   I am talking about the Electronic Soil Test Kit, shown above.  You can easily check your soil’s pH by sticking the tester into the dirt, and it will quickly gives you a pH level reading.  It has a scale of 1.0 – 9.0, allowing you to get a proper gauge of a wide variety of pH levels!  With the Electronic Soil Test Kit, you can have a prosperous lawn and garden at a minimal cost!

If you use the Electronic Soil Test Kit and discover that your soil is too acidic, you will want to raise the pH level.  You can do this by adding limestone, bonemeal, or wood ashes to the soil.  If you discover your soil is too alkaline, you will want to lower the pH level.  Adding acidic organic material that has been composted, or adding calcium/iron/or aluminum sulfate, will lower the pH level.

• One of my favorite pairs of garden gloves to wear is the Muddy Mate Women’s Glove by Boss Manufacturing.  This lightweight pair of rubber garden gloves is very flexible and available in two sizes for a good fit.  They are also available in assorted colors that make them easy to locate when working in the garden and are perfect for working in wet conditions or in muddy areas.    
• The Nitrile TOUCH Garden Glove by Atlas Gloves are designed to be abrasion and puncture resistant.  They are also ideal for helping to keep your hands dryer because they have a thin polyurethane coating on the palm area.  These garden gloves are available in four sizes for the perfect fit and help to keep your hands clean and dry, while protecting them from cuts.
• Another great pair of rubberized garden gloves is the Dirt Digger Glove by Boss Manufacturing.  These garden gloves are very comfortable to wear and help to keep your hands dry and clean while digging in the dirt.  The finger tips are molded to make these garden gloves very comfortable and easy to wear for long periods of time.

A great pair of boots for men for shoveling snow is the Tingley Classic Insulated Mens Boot.  These insulated boots help keep feet warm when working in cold, snowy conditions, which helps to prevent frostbite.  The bottoms are made of durable waterproof rubber and have a good tread to help prevent slip and fall accidents.  The insulated soles are designed to keep the cold away from your feet as you shovel snow and feel comfortable to walk on.  Easy to lace up, so you won’t be discouraged from using them in a hurry.

A warm boot for women to wear when shoveling snow is the Womens Classic High Bogs Boot.  These boots are higher on the shin to help keep your legs warmer and the materials used are designed for wearing in very cold temperatures and consist of waterproof materials.  The rubber outsole is waterproof and great for wearing in slippery conditions.  Made to last, you will have these boots for many winters.

For children, the Bogs Girls Classic High Dots Boots and the Bogs Classic MID Camo Boots for Boys will keep your child’s feet warm and dry even in the coldest temperatures.  These boots are made of all waterproof materials that are ideal for wearing when running in the snow, sledding in the snow, or helping to shovel snow.  Little feet stay warm even in temperatures that are down to negative 30 degrees.

One of my favorite pairs of garden shoes for women this year is the Bogs Seattle Shoe. This comfortable pair of rubberized shoes is made with an anti-bacterial liner to help control foot odors and is perfect for wearing when planting flowers or weeding. Easy to clean and maintain, the rubber easily wipes clean. Shoes just slip on and off for convenience and are made to be comfortable in a wide variety of temperatures. Great all year long for gardening!

It is essential to wear gloves when gardening because it keeps your hands from getting cut and helps to keep your nails looking great. Garden gloves should fit your hands snuggly and be durable to withstand hours of garden work. My favorite pair of gloves for women is the Ladies Machine Washable Premium Suede Cowhide Garden Gloves by Wells Lamont. Gloves are made of durable suede, which is ideal for protecting your hands from scraps and cuts. The suede material is ideal for use throughout the year. When gloves get dirty, just toss them in the wash for cleaning.

Make your gardening work more enjoyable with a great pair of rubber shoes and a durable pair of gardening gloves. Rubber shoes and durable gloves are simple solutions for keeping your feet dry and your hands in great shape. Check out these garden apparel items and more at Backyard Style!

We read a recent article about the dangers of gardening without gloves. Although it is rare, there have been a number of recent reports of illness and even death from scrapes and cuts that were gotten when gardening.

Granted, the primary cause of the problems is that people did not have recent tetanus shots – but possibly the cut would not have occurred if gardening gloves were worn.

Our recommendation are one of the following gloves:

• Essential GardenArmor Garden Gloves
• Landscaper GardenArmor Gloves
• GardenArmor Advantage Gloves

A little about the gloves: They are manufactured by Super Protection. GardenArmor (SafeGrasp) Garden Gloves have earned the National Home Gardening Club Member-Tested Seal of Approval. They not only manufacturer the above 3 gardening gloves, they also have a line of work gloves called WorkArmor and also SportsArmor gloves.

What really caught my eye is that these gloves are machine washable – unlike many of the other brands on the market these days. The gardenArmor gloves are perfect for garden and yard – for handling rose, cactus and other thorny bushes. Avoid cuts and avoid serious illness.

They boast about powerful protection against punctures and cuts, as well as 90X the puncture resistance of regular gloves. This will be the last set of gardening gloves that you will have to buy.

Ordinarily you wouldn’t think of gardening gloves as a life-saving product, but when you take into account the recent scares in newspapers, blogs and articles across the Internet .. it just may be the right time to buy yourself, your Mom, Dad or loved one a simple pair of gardening gloves and make them wear them when working in the yard!