This page is a work in progress and is where I’ll be adding all the recommended products that I use or endorse. I’ll be adding to this list as time goes by. Some links may be affiliate but the price stays the same for you!
Tree Planting
2″x24″ auger that makes planting bare root trees a cinch! Simply drill the hole with a corded or cordless drill, drop the tree in, fill with water, then soil, tamp down and you’re done!
Grafting and Plant Propagation
The Reference Manual for Woody Plant Propagation
This is my most used book for reference on all things plant propagation.
Temperature & Humidity
This is the Humidity and Temperature monitor I use It’s a digital thermometer and hygrometer that shows you the current temp and humidity as well as recorded daily highs and lows. I like to use it to dial in my perception of what is actually going on in a greenhouse or hot box by hitting the reset button every day so I can see what the highs and lows are every 12 hours or so. VERY useful for growing plants under glass or plastic or other things like curing sweet potatoes which need about 85F and 85% humidity for at least a week to convert starches to sugars and make those sweet potatoes sweet!
The Grafter’s Handbook – Grafting knowledge out the wazoo
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Grafting tape – I suggest Buddy Tape but it’s hard to get. If you want an easy button option, then use ParaFilm
Buddy Tape from a forum member here
Buddy Tape more expensive from this company here
Permanent Plant tags to identify those grafts for future reference
Seed Starting:
Pruning and Training plants and trees:
The American Horticultural Society Pruning and Training
Orchards and Fruit Tree Care:
The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips
Some links will be affiliate. I receive a small commission on each sale that does not affect your purchase price. Purchasing through the links above will help me out a little bit financially.
Fencing
Energizers
Cyclops Stallion – 2.5 Joule Fence Charger – AC – This is the smallest fence charger/energizer I suggest.
Cyclops Champ – 5 Joule Fence Charger – AC – This is a good smaller fence energizer, suitable for most all livestock and predators up to large canines.
Cyclops Brute – 8 Joule Fence Charger – AC – This is the fence energizer I am using on a 2 acre paddock to train and keep goats, sheep, and livestock guardian dogs contained.
Cyclops Super – 12 Joule Fence Charger – AC – And this is the one I would buy next time I purchase as long as it’s in the budget.
Speedrite 3000 Unigizer, 3.0 Joule – This is the type of energizer I ran for years, purchased in September of 2015. Served me very well and did an excellent job at keeping goats and dogs contained.
Speedrite 6000 Remote Unigizer, 6.0 Joule – This is what I would have purchased next if I hadn’t wanted to try the Cyclops brand which is made in the USA. I might still purchase this model in the future to try
Wire & Insulators
Aluminum Wire – I like using aluminum because of it’s ease of use, easy to cut and bend, manipulate and also high visibility. When aluminum “rusts”, it makes aluminum oxide which is white, so instead of becoming harder to see, it becomes more visible. Visible fence means animals have a greater chance to avoid touching it, which makes your fence better. Try to use thicker gauge wire. I always try to avoid wire smaller than 14 gauge. 17 is small diameter, 12 is large diameter. 14 is a nice happy medium size.
Polywire – This is a nice material to use for temporary paddocks. I’ve used this polywire with goats well trained to the fence with only 2 strands for 2 day or afternoon temporary grazing of brushy areas that needed management. I’ve even used this for 5+ years as a component of a perimeter fence. I like that the aluminum conductors connect well with the main aluminum wire. When connecting steel and aluminum, you will sometimes have problems. Try and keep all fencing materials the same type of metal. This is good sturdy wire, may not be the best but has held up very well in my trials.
5 Inch Extender Insulators – I have used this brand for years and while not the best out there, seem to have enough life to make it useful. I often use the extended insulators to offset my perimeter fence both at animal shoulder height and at the top. This prevents animals from rubbing on the fence and climbing it.