Alene the Tool Queen

Little did I know when I started Master Gardener School and got a phone call from Alene O., telling me that she was my mentor, that I had struck gold. Six years later, I know I can go to Alene any time I have a gardening question. Also, little did I know that it was going to be expensive having Alene as my Mentor. She is always finding neat gardening tools, plants, and products that she knows I won’t be able to resist. My favorite up until now has been the Root Assassin™ shovel. I have 3 magnolias, 7 crape myrtles and 6 fruit trees so I have lots of roots. I had no idea that there was a miracle shovel that would cut right through them. Many of my neighbors have borrowed mine until they’ve gotten embarrassed and bought their own. Now Alene has found another winner. The FloMaster™ 1/2 gallon sprayer. I have one of the large sprayers with a wand that just sits and takes up space because it’s so much trouble to constantly have to clean, so I can use other products in it that I use on a regular basis. I knew I was in trouble when Alene held up this small version with a big smile on her face. I immediately bought one at Lowes®, under $6. I filled it with Neem oil. Then I realized it would be great for my 3 in 1 fungicide so I bought another. Then during tomato season, I spray constantly with Monterey BT to combat army worms which we’re dealing with in the southern part of the county because we haven’t had a hard freeze in 4 years...thus the purchase of #3. It’s great to have these mixed and ready at all times. It’s very easy to use. Just pump the knob on top a few times and it’s ready to go with a constant spray about 3 feet wide. Push the button on the handle to stop the spray.

Thank you, Alene for another winner.

As Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteers, we are not permitted to create an implied or outright endorsement of any product or place of business

However, we can report on things that have worked for us and tools we discover that make our lives easier.

Individuals are encouraged to do their own due diligence in researching products they might want to use.