The Jacaranda trees are blooming in Southern California and spreading purple flowers all over the place. See how the Troy-Bilt CORE blower performs in cleaning them up, and enter to win a $100 Lowe’s gift card.

Plus, take a tour my friends’ new drought tolerant garden and learn more about Jacarandas trees.

Each spring and early summer in my Southern California neighborhood, the eye-popping Jacaranda trees bloom. These fast-growing, drought-tolerant trees reach 25 to 50 feet tall and 15 to 30 feet wide. It’s a lovely sight to see the streets lined in purple, but as the LA Times reports, you either love these trees or hate them.

Why? Because they make a serious mess when they bloom, which is why this pretty tree isn’t great planted near cars or houses. Many people on this street park their cars in the garage during this time to protect the paint.

Even on Maggie’s daily walks, we have to clean her paws so she doesn’t track these pretty, but annoying flowers in the house.

That’s why I thought these trees might be a good challenge for the Troy-Bilt CORE blower, which I was asked to review recently as a Troy-Bilt blogger. And I knew just where to go to try it out – my friends Kurt and Lynn’s house.

They inherited a Jacaranda tree when they bought their house, and the lovely tree makes a huge mess each year.

The Troy-Bilt blower has the industry’s only motor with a limited lifetime warranty. It also has variable speeds up to 545cfm/125 mph to lift these stubborn flowers off the walkway.

The blower is powered by a Lithium-ion battery, which can be swapped for any battery needed in the Troy-Bilt CORE system.

It did a great job of blowing away many of the flowers, as well as miscellaneous leaves and yard scraps.

You’ll find plenty of power to do various yard work and the battery seems quite long lasting. We easily did the entire yard without any problem.

Meanwhile, Kurt and Lynn have done a charming job of building a new garden with succulents and other drought-tolerant plants. In a shady spot they added two Adirondack chairs to enjoy the space.

They’ve added lots of gorgeous stones that compliment the flowers. Groundcovers are slowly filling in the open spaces, and there is room for these plants to grow.

The rocks and plants match the midcentury style of the house and add a natural, rustic feel.

It was a fine place to test the Troy-Bilt CORE blower and I can’t wait to see how the garden space develops in future years.

Win a Lowe’s Gift Card

Here’s your chance to win a Lowe’s gift card for $100 to use on whatever you want.

It’s easy to enter this random drawing. Just be sure to enter by midnight, July 2, 2017 and PLEASE include your email so we can alert you if you win. (This drawing is limited to the United States.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK everyone!

Disclosure: This Troy-Bilt review was sponsored and a blower was provided to me at no cost. However, my opinions are always my own.

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Whether your garden is flat or hilly, this 4×4 Self-Propelled Mower by Troy-Bilt can handle the challenge. Come check out this product review and see a bit of my garden – along with a surprise visitor!

As many of you know, I’ve reviewed a number of products from Troy-Bilt in recent years. Recently, the company asked me to try out Troy-Bilt’s TB490 XP 4×4 Self-Propelled Mower in my garden. Here’s what I learned.

“Troy-Bilt’s TB490 XP 4×4 mower is the industry’s first four-wheel drive mower that lets you switch between front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive on the go,” says the website.

You can basically switch with one hand.

Now, I’m a bit of a gypsy. When many of you first met me, I was living in Boise, Idaho on a medium sized lot with several hills. Currently, I’m living in Southern California on a much smaller lot that’s completely flat. Who knows where I’ll end up next…

So, I like the idea that this machine is flexible. We need that feature around here.

My lawn mower required about 15 minutes of assembly, although I would imagine that most people would buy their mower already assembled at the store.

This powerful machine has a 190cc* Honda® GCV series engine with Automatic Choke System (ACS) to prevent engine flooding.

Be sure to use the motor oil provided by Troy-Bilt, along with clean, fresh gasoline. I also added some fuel stabilizer, because it keeps the mower’s fuel fresh for up to 24 months. And I want to keep things running well, especially when I’m not mowing as often.

There is a rear grass catcher that was easy to attach. But you might want to experiment with the side discharge chute.

By returning the grass clippings to your soil, you can save water and fertilizer. That’s because you are basically returning many of the nutrients back to the turf, while leaving behind a light mulch.

This works best when you can mow more frequently, so the layers aren’t too thick on your turf. My grass was rather long, and I kept the rear grass catcher on this time.

I found that the mower started right up. The self propelling mower really made it easier to cut the grass, and I could really feel the oomph when I put the mower in four-wheel drive.

I didn’t get a chance to try the machine on a hill, but maybe in our next home?

I liked the fact that it was easy to adjust the cutting length of the grass. I’m going to leave the grass a little longer, now that we’re coming into our drier season.

From this angle, you can see how the rear wheels are a bit larger than the front.

There’s also a deck wash that allows you to easily attach a nozzle to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside. I didn’t try this out yet, but I have a feeling it’s going to come in handy.

Meanwhile, look who photo bombed me! My hound dog Maggie, who always wants to be part of the story!

I recommend this self propelling motor for gardeners, who need a reliable system that is flexible for all kinds of terrains. It’s a bit like having three machines in one.

With some basic maintenance, this lawn mower should last me through all my future moves, regardless of where we land.

Disclosure: This blog post was sponsored by Troy-Bilt, who also supplied this lawn mower for me to review. I was not told what to write, and my opinion is all mine.

It’s been months since I’ve written in Seasonal Wisdom! My apologies and I’m about to remedy this situation. But one main reason is that I’ve been working on a full-time contract with the University of California’s Office of President to write about food and agriculture for its blog UCFoodObserver.com.

Why in the world should you care? Well, I’ve learned quite a bit that I wanted to share, including edible gardening tips.  If you like food – and who doesn’t, really? – check out these delicious stories. Photo: Martijn de Valk.

But, first, a bit about UC Food Observer

The UC Food Observer is your daily serving of must-read news from the world of food. It includes interviews and analysis of influential agricultural and food people and trends. And it supports the University of California Global Food Initiative, which addresses one of the critical issues of our time: how to sustainably and nutritiously feed a world population expected to reach eight billion by 2025.

I’m the assistant editor and work closely with Rose Hayden-Smith, who is renowned for her knowledge of sustainable agriculture and food history. You may remember these stories about her wartime garden research here and here. Rose is wonderfully talented, inspiring and knowledgeable. It’s been a delight, and I’ve learned a lot from her.

Seven Yummy Stories

Here are seven stories you might enjoy in no particular order:

Photo: Seed Savers Exchange

1) Genetic Diversity is Key … And You Can Help

Learn how important open-pollinated heirloom seeds are towards saving heritage foods. See how many once-beloved foods are disappearing, and why gardeners can play an important role in protecting and increasing this genetic diversity.

“Participatory conservation is very important to our work. It’s not enough for us to have a seed bank and keep these seeds in a Fort Knox-like setting. We want these seeds to grow and be maintained in different gardens around the country and world.” John Torgrimson, Executive Director, Seed Savers Exchange

Read the story.

Photo: Kathy Keatley Garvey

2) Pollinators are Beautiful

On most days, you’ll find Kathy Keatley Garvey outside finding, photographing and documenting insects, especially pollinators. This Communications Specialist for UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology has received international recognition for her photos.

“I see the world through a viewfinder. The work that I do is about the diversity of pollinators, their importance in our food supply and ecosystem, the beauty and the awe, and how we can protect them. Bees are responsible for pollinating one-third of the food we eat. They are crucial to our ecosystem.” Kathy Keatley Garvey

Read the story.

Photo: Wormfarm Institute

3) Agri + Culture = A Good Idea

Nestled among the rolling hills of the unglaciated region of south central Wisconsin you’ll find the Wormfarm Institute, a 40-acre organic vegetable farm and creative hub that is winning applause for reconnecting the link between “agri-culture.”

“For thousands of years, farmers in cultures around the world interwove dance, music and art through rituals of planting and the harvest in celebration of the land and those who care for it.” Donna Neuwirth, co-founder of Wormfarm Institute

Read the story.

4) Cattle Ranching has Ecological Benefits

Did you know livestock is California’s number-one land use? I certainly didn’t, and I’m not alone.

This complex connection of California ranching to food production is a mystery for many, according to Sheila Barry, Livestock Advisor and Director of Santa Clara County for University of California Cooperative Extension. She tells me:

“Working ranches occupy roughly 40 million acres in California. Whether these working ranches are public land or privately owned, many ranchers represent the fourth or fifth generations stewarding the land and their livestock.”

Read the story.

Photo: DotPolka

5) Mexican Food Deserves Another Look

Who told you Mexican food was unhealthy? It simply isn’t true, according to two professors in the San Francisco Bay Area, who co-authored “Decolonize Your Diet.”

Their research shows traditional, indigenous food from Mexico (available before the Spanish colonists arrived) is misunderstood and is actually among the world’s healthiest foods. Luz Calvo, Professor of Ethnic Studies at Cal State East Bay told me:

“The Latino/a Immigrant Paradox led us to look carefully at the health knowledge and practices that immigrants bring with them – especially knowledge about food, recipes, remedios (home remedies), and so forth.

The Latino/a Immigrant Paradox is powerful, because it shows that one does not need to be rich to have good health. But one does need to be connected to ancestral knowledge and culture.”

Read the story. and don’t miss the recipe!

6) Food Sovereignty with Native Americans

In Northwestern Washington, between Seattle and Tacoma, lives the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. This Indian tribe is composed of descendants of the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup people who inhabited Central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement.

To learn more about the Muckleshoot people and food sovereignty with Native Americans, I spoke with Valerie Segrest. She is a Native nutrition educator who specializes in local and traditional foods. She serves her community as coordinator of the Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project and also works as Traditional Foods and Medicines Program Manager. She also is a storyteller and told me:

“Stories not only provide the knowledge we need to thrive in the world, but also solutions to the complex and major challenges we face in this modern world. There is cultural storytelling, and also just people stories; the stories people carry around on food traditions and how food has improved and changed their lives in positive or negative ways.”

Read the story.

Photo: The Millet Project

7) You Should Try Sorghum and Millets

Sorghum and millets are two ancient grains that have a bright future. For instance, sorghum is gluten free grain with high fiber and healthy nutrients. Millets also deserve a moment of your time.

Millets are a diverse family of grains. They are gluten-free and often contain lower carbohydrate content than rice, corn or wheat, as well as higher levels of protein, fiber and minerals, such calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and iron.

In these articles, you’ll find information on both types of grains, as well as recipe ideas and nutritional information.

Take a second for sorghum.

Millets are worth a minute.

Stay tuned for more gardening stories in upcoming weeks! Just in time for another gardening season. What are you looking forward to growing this year?

When was the last time you spent any time on a farm? Well, if you are like most people, it’s probably been quite a while … if ever. And that’s what a group of farmers about an hour north of Los Angeles want to change. More than 20 farmers in Ventura County, California are swinging open their barn doors and inviting the community to visit. Let’s take a look.

As readers of Seasonal Wisdom know, we’re big fans of family farmers and local foods. We enjoy farm-to-table meals and locavore dinner clubs.

So, imagine our delight to hear about the Fourth Annual Ventura Farm Day on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. There are tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at farms throughout the county. This free, popular event connects the community with its farming neighbors, and encourages them to visit the farms in their backyards, according to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), the nonprofit that organizes Farm Day.

“This year, we moved Farm Day from summer to fall,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG Founder and Executive Director. “The weather will be cooler, plus, in keeping with the spirit of giving during November, it gives the public an opportunity to say ‘thanks’ to our hardworking farmers who grow the food we eat.”

Participating farms, museums and farming operations include:

–Houweling’s Tomatoes and McGrath Family Farms in Camarillo;

–Chivas Skin Care and Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore,

–Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark;

–Friends Ranch, Earthtrine Farm, East End Eden Farm and Ojai Olive Oil in Ojai;

–AGQ Laboratory, Agromin, Deardorff Family Farms, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Gills Onions and San Miguel Produce in Oxnard;

–UC Hansen Ag Center, Calavo Growers and Ventura County Ag Museum in Santa Paula;

–Rancho Camulos Museum in Piru;

–Petty Ranch and Rincon Vitova Insectaries in Saticoy;

–Alpacas at Windy Hill in Somis;

–Diamond W Cattle Company and Salad Bar Farms at Balboa Middle School in Ventura.

There’s a farm-to-table barbeque at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (San Miguel Building) in Ventura. The barbeque is 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and features live country music by Coldwater Canyon and Friends, farm-fresh food prepared by Young Farmers & Ranchers and Dearmore BBQ Catering, locally-produced craft cocktails, beers from Institution Ale and wine from Summerland Winery. Lots of free kids’ activities are also planned. Barbeque tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for children under 12.

This year’s Ventura County Farm Day (November 5) will kick off a day early with its first Food and Farm Film Fest, Friday, November 4 at Mission Park in downtown Ventura. The free, family-friendly event will feature short films produced locally that tell the story of life (both human and animal) on the farm and the popular kids’ movie “Babe.”

“The films will be a real treat for those who are not familiar with daily farm life,” says SEEAG’s Maranville. “All the films are shot beautifully. It is the perfect introduction to what people will see and experience the following day at our local farms.”

Wherever you live, take some time this month to say thanks to the folks who grow your food everyday!

When it comes to garden chores, one of my husband’s least favorite jobs is trimming the 12-foot (often  higher) Cape honeysuckle growing in our backyard.  It’s a dirty, thankless job that needs to be done every few months so the plant doesn’t get out of control.

But a new innovative cordless, battery powered hedge trimmer by Troy-Bilt has made this chore much faster and easier. Check it out.

When we moved into this house in California, we inherited a huge ­­­­­cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) that covered the back fence of our property. Hardy in Zones 9 to 11, the cape honeysuckle is a colorful, carefree and drought tolerant plant. It’s also very attractive to hummingbirds and bees.  We consider it a good living privacy screen for the property.

But this plant grows so quickly that it can be a real pain in the neck in California. It’s a good idea to cut it back every few months, or even monthly to maintain the shape.

So, you can understand why my husband was rather eager to review the new Troy-Bilt cordless hedge trimmer, powered by CORE technology.

This beast of a plant needs serious tools to keep it under control.

The Troy-Bilt hedge trimmer is cordless, which makes it much easier to maneuver while on a ladder dealing with a monster plant.

“I’ve had corded trimmers before, and it’s so much easier to use this Troy-Bilt trimmer,” says my husband. “I really liked not having to worry about plugging it in or accidentally cutting the cord. It’s a lot more convenient for quick, spontaneous jobs too.”

He especially liked the way this hedge trimmer is powered with a new proprietary CORE technology that provides the kind of battery power that rivals gas engines.  “This trimmer cuts like a hot knife through butter,” he adds. “It’s got plenty of power to cut through those thicker branches.”

Basically, the patented motor has a new design. You won’t find the heavy copper coils you typically find on brushless motors. Instead, these CORE motors have a printed circuit board that operates together with magnetic rotors to deliver concentrated power when needed.

Here’s more about Troy-Bilt CORE technology…

But my husband doesn’t really care about all that – he’s just happy to have a battery-powered trimmer that really can tackle this monster hedge. With 22-inch chrome-plated blades that move 3,000 strokes per minute, this tool works exceedingly well on this dense and tall hedge.

He’s also a big fan of the 40 volt lithium-ion battery, which can be used with any of the tools powered by the CORE system. Now that my husband has the battery and charger, he can use it with all the other CORE-powered tools and just buy the bare tools.

“I’ve owned corded and cordless trimmers in the past,” says my husband. “But this is the best trimmer I’ve ever used – corded or cordless. This is now my favorite garden tool in our shed. It’s the gold standard of trimmers.”

The Troy-Bilt hedge trimmer powered by CORE is the industry’s only motor with a limited lifetime warranty.

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post. I am a Saturday6 blogger for Troy-Bilt this year. This tool was provided at no charge. But I was not told what to write, and my opinions are my own. My husband’s opinions are DEFINITELY his own. If he didn’t like something, believe me, he’d let us know.

It could happen to anyone, really. Our friends came home from vacation to an overgrown backyard, where the grass had grown really tall. In some places, the lawn had grown nearly knee-high, and the yard needed more than just a normal lawn mower to cut it.

That’s when my husband decided to try out the Troy-Bilt brush cutter attachment on their backyard. We wanted to see if this tool could really stand up to thick, tall grass. Here’s what happened…

Normally, our friends have a delightful backyard with lots of trees and flowers. But a long vacation trip, and several rainy days while they were gone, made their yard a real bear when they returned home.

My husband mentioned that Troy-Bilt had recently sent us the TrimmerPlus® Add-On Brushcutter to review. “If any backyard could use this tool, this is it,” he explained.

We decided this yard would make a good test spot, and our friends were happy to agree.

This tool uses Troy-Bilt’s JumpStart Lithium-Ion Engine Starter, which makes it quick and easy to turn on these tools.

This starter works with all the TrimmerPlus attachments, and it’s one of my husband’s favorite aspects of the tool. Forget about pulling a cord to start this machine. This cordless electric starter gives you 25 starts without recharging it.

It quickly became apparent that this tool meant business, even though it was cutting thick grass and weeds.

The brush cutter has an 8 inch steel reversible brush blade for heavy weeds and brush. It also has a pro-style straight shaft design that allows for easy trimming under shrubs and low branches.

Here, you can see how the brush cutter is making a path through the tall, dense grass.

Even our friend wanted to try out the tool to see if it was easy to use. The J-style barrier bar and comfort should strap are included, and make the brush cutter simple to maneuver.

The entire lawn was cut back within an hour.

The brush cutter isn’t a normal tool to use in cutting your grass. But on those rare times, when you need to quickly and easily cut back thick vegetation, it’s a great tool to use.

This brush cutter made short work out of tall grass. It paved the way for the lawn to be finished with the mower. And it won two impressed and loyal fans on a summer afternoon.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, and I am a Saturday6 garden blogger for Troy-Bilt. I was not, however, told what to write and my opinions are my own.

If you love nature and fine art illustrations, you may like this news.  The National Audubon Society is offering free high-resolution prints of John James Audubon’s Birds of America. Printed between 1827 and 1838, the illustrations include 435 life-sized watercolors of North American birds, including this striking barn owl detail.

Detail of Fox-Coloured Sparrow.

The National Audubon Society has generously offered access to the wildlife illustrations that made naturalist John James Audubon so renowned. (I am only showing a portion of each illustration in this blog post.) Along with free prints, there are also observations about each bird from Audubon’s own notes.

Detail of American Flamingo.

The American Flamingo section, for example, includes Audubon’s observation that he saw his first flock of flamingos after sailing from Indian Key, Florida in May 1832.

Detail of Carolina Parrot.

About the Carolina Parrot, Audubon wrote, “At dusk, a flock of Parakeets may be seen alighting against the trunk of a large sycamore or any other tree…”

Detail of Canada Jay.

The images are provided courtesy of the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove in Audubon, Pennsylvania, and the Montgomery County Audubon Collection.

It’s worth a visit to admire these historic wildlife illustrations in their full glory, and perhaps pick up a free print for your home. You may just look differently at those birds in your backyard. I like to think that Audubon would have liked that too.

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The holidays came early for my husband this year. That’s because he had the chance to try out Troy-Bilt’s Straight Shaft String Trimmer and several attachments in our garden. As he gives his review of the Troy-Bilt tools, an unexpected guest comes for a look. Check it out!

As you may know, Seasonal Wisdom is a #Saturday6 garden blogger for Troy-Bilt.

Recently, the company asked me to review its string trimmer and two TrimmerPlus® attachments. My husband Kevin was excited about receiving these particular tools, because we have a relatively small suburban yard in California where trimmers, lawn edgers and pole saws really come in handy. (We’re also going through a historic drought at the moment, so please excuse how dry our turf looks right now.)

The tools reviewed:

• Troy-Bilt Straight Shaft String Trimmer, TB685-EC
• TrimmerPlus® Add-On Lawn Edger, LE720
• TrimmerPlus® Add-On Pole Saw, PS720
• JumpStart Lithium-Ion Engine Starter, 49MRBESP966

Troy-Bilt EC Straight Shaft String Trimmer, TB685

This 30cc, 4-cycle gas trimmer is a cool little system that allows you to use any TrimmerPlus® attachment with it. That means you can do multiple tasks with just one trimmer. This was a big plus for Kevin, as it helps save room in the garage.  He says, “It’s very quick and easy to change over the attachments. And the trimmer itself is very heavy duty.”

We both liked that the engine ran cleaner and produced less noise than our old trimmer. The trimmer uses the clean fuel, so you don’t need to mix the oil and gas. And you don’t need to replace the fuel as often.

The trimmer’s adjustable handle can be used for either right or left-handed use. (We’re both right-handed.)  A multi-position handle reduces vibration and operator fatigue. Anything that reduces “fatigue” is always popular around our house.

“I also really like the sling,” says Kevin. “It helps you balance the weight, so your arms don’t get as tired.”

JumpStart Lithium-Ion Engine Starter

This cordless  engine starter got high marks from Kevin. He really liked not having to pull the cord to start the machine. The battery is supposed to last up to 25 starts between charges.

TrimmerPlus® Lawn Edger, LE720

The edger works well on our turf, which is suffering greatly from the historic California drought, as I mentioned.

Kevin liked how quickly he could connect the edger to the string trimmer without any tools. The edger is adjustable in depth up to 2.5 inches.  He used it on walkways, patios and other border areas.  The large guide wheel made it easy to maneuver.

TrimmerPlus® Add-On Pole Saw, PS720

In our yard, we have a huge trumpet vine that we inherited with the house. It grows like a weed, and has to be pruned regularly. So, this attachment was another one of Kevin’s favorites.  It easily prunes the thick, intertwined branches.

When you add the extension to this pole saw, it reaches 11 feet.  You can see the strap helping him to balance the tool, as he works.

Good Choice for Holidays

Around here, we’re more likely to use a trimmer than a mower.  So, we need equipment that’s reliable and easy to use.  Kevin gives these garden tools a “big thumbs up,” and looks forward to many years of use.

Meanwhile, our dog Maggie thought this post needed a little excitement and decided to photo bomb Kevin unexpectedly. She gave the garden tools a good rating too.

Disclosure:  As a #Saturday6 blogger, these garden tools were provided at no charge. But our opinions are always our own.

Earlier this season, Seasonal Wisdom reviewed the new Troy-Bilt Bronco Axis Tiller and gave it a test spin. Here’s your chance to watch this tiller in action.

This two-minute video shows me tilling a new garden bed with organic compost for better soil texture and quality. As you’ll see, the Troy-Bilt Bronco Axis tiller is easier to operate than ordinary tillers. Check it out…

Take a minute to see the Troy-Bilt Bronco Axis Tiller in action. Or visit YouTube to watch this video.

After I tilled our garden with organic compost, I covered the soil with layers of newspapers and wood chips. This saves water, smothers weeds and balances soil temperatures. When I’m ready to plant, I’ll just brush aside the wood chips, cut into the newspaper and plant in the amended soil.

Disclosure: As a #Saturday6 blogger for Troy-Bilt, I was provided with this tiller at no charge and compensated for my time. However, my opinions are always my own.

One of my favorite aspects of serving as a 2015 Troy-Bilt Saturday6 blogger is that I’m able to review some of the company’s newest garden products – and pass along some of these high quality garden tools on to a lucky Seasonal Wisdom reader.

Enter to win this Troy-Bilt Garden Tool Giveaway (valued at more than $115). If you win, you’ll be all set for your fall garden chores.  But hurry! This random drawing ends midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015.  CONGRATULATIONS to Mary from South Carolina for winning. 

What You Could Win from Troy-Bilt

Troy-Bilt recently introduced a new set of garden hand tools, made with German steel, which are meant to last. Here’s your chance to win:

• Comfort Max Anvil Pruner ($39.99)
• Comfort Classic Anvil Lopper ($59.99)
• Premium Flower Trowel ($5.99)
• Premium Planting Trowel ($5.99)
• Premium Garden Rake ($6.99)

Troy-Bilt Comfort Max Anvil Pruner ($39.99)

Fall pruning projects will be easier with these anvil pruners, which also have an integrated wire cutter.

Unlike bypass pruners – which are designed for young, green growth – these anvil pruners work best on tough, mature or dead wood. I’m right handed, but the safety lock position on the top makes these pruners equally useful for left-handed gardeners too.

These Troy-Bilt pruners have extended-life blades that resist rust and repel sap. Their triple-hardened German steel blades have a non-stick coating for a smooth cut.

Troy-Bilt Comfort Classic Anvil Lopper ($59.99)

In our garden, these anvil loppers are helping to tame a trumpet vine that is a bit too aggressive.

The heavy-duty, German steel blade can cut up to 1.75 inches thick of tough, mature branches. But the lightweight aluminum handle absorbs the shock and minimizes stress on your hands and shoulders. That’s a good thing after a long autumn afternoon working in the garden.

Troy-Bilt Premium Planting Trowel ($5.99)

If your fall gardening chores include transplanting small plants, this flower trowel will come in handy.

This garden tool even feels solid in the hand. The steel is gloss-galvanized and triple-sealed to “help protect the tool from corrosion and rust,” reports Troy-Bilt.

Troy-Bilt Premium Flower Trowel ($5.99)

Fall is a good time to plant or divide several types of perennials. This sturdy, three-inch wide plant trowel will be helpful for those chores.

Like the other tools, this trowel has cool Space Age-looking cut-outs on the handle that enable a solid grip when you’re working.

Troy-Bilt Premium Garden Rake ($6.99) 

I’ve used this practical garden rake to loosen hard soil and make it easier to pull weeds. I’ve also used it to smooth out garden soil after planting or transplanting. It works great for both chores.

Something tells me this is the kind of tool you’ll end up using for lots of unexpected garden chores.

Enter to Win

It’s easy to enter. Simply use the Rafflecopter device below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends at midnight on August 25, 2015. The winner will be notified immediately. PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER on August 26 and get back to me right away, if you win.  This giveaway is finished. Congratulations to Mary from South Carolina for winning.

Only U.S. residents are eligible to enter this giveaway.

Disclosure Details

As discussed in several blog posts, I am one of Troy-Bilt’s Saturday6 bloggers for 2015. This garden tool giveaway was sponsored by the company Troy-Bilt, which provided these prizes at no charge.  My goal is for the winner of this random drawing to enjoy these tools for many years to come.

 Good Luck Everyone!