The Importance of Quality
Episode: #5 21/04/07
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Trevor often gets asked about the tools and materials that The Gurus use and why they would use them when there are cheaper options? He has come to learn over many years that when it comes to saving money in the garden the best way to do it is not to buy cheap, and see the initial dollar saving, but to spend up on quality and save because of the durability or economy delivered in the products performance
It is that old chestnut about investing in quality to save money in the long term. Secateurs are a classic example. They can be cheap, as low as $1.50 a pair but are pretty much disposable. You don’t have to spend a fortune but if you buy a pair that can have the blade sharpened for example you can maintain them for many years.
Professional shears Fiskars are a classic example where you can sharpen the blade or replace parts and these tools are genuinely lifetime tools if cared for. Remember the $1.50 version last a couple of weeks at best and usually only a day or 2 because the blades steel is soft and bends and cannot be sharpened again. Parts are not replaceable and once broken, they are history.
Garden gloves are another classic example of how much variability you can get in quality. If you are serious about the task at hand then make sure you cover up and protect your hands and fingers particularly. Again $1.50 will get you something called a garden glove that lasts a very short time. It is because it is made in china from pig skin that has not been cured or prepared properly and is not the correct material in the first place.
For between $20 and $30 dollars you will be able to get something like Ironclad. It is an American brand that uses a range of materials in its construction. It is designed to fit better, protect fingers, handle vigorous wear and tear and because of the materials it is comprised of it is washable, meaning it can last for years. They were designed for industrial and mining purposes and having a gardening version especially for men and for women is a huge step forward.
Potting mixes are also a classic example. Some companies sell $2.00 mixes and $12.00 mixes. Why would you pay $12.00 for soil? The answer is in the bag and the results.
The constituents are an interesting comparison. Cheap potting mix is usually comprised of sand as a filler, raw sawdust as the organic additive and maybe some loam. At worst iron sulphate has been added which blackens the mix to give the appearance of healthy soil.
The truth however could not be farther from the truth. Plants going into these mixes often turn yellow and die and sometimes very quickly. Some of the reasons for this can be explained scientifically but much of the reasons are perfectly logical. Quality potting mixes contain composted pine-bark, sawdust, fertilizer, wetting agent and water storage crystal.
The components are scientifically analysed to ensure they have the right amount of air, water holding capacity and nutrient supply to get a plant off to a great start. Individually buying all the additives and quality soil components would cost around $20.00, so a bag of quality growing medium is cheap. More importantly getting great results from your potted plants is the true objective so why risk them over a cheap soil?
Fiskars
www.fiskars.com
Ironclad
www.ironclad.com
Featured Products
Ironclad Gloves
Thrive Premium Potting Mix
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Trevor often gets asked about the tools and materials that The Gurus use and why they would use them when there are cheaper options? He has come to learn over many years that when it comes to saving money in the garden the best way to do it is not to buy cheap, and see the initial dollar saving, but to spend up on quality and save because of the durability or economy delivered in the products performance
It is that old chestnut about investing in quality to save money in the long term. Secateurs are a classic example. They can be cheap, as low as $1.50 a pair but are pretty much disposable. You don’t have to spend a fortune but if you buy a pair that can have the blade sharpened for example you can maintain them for many years.
Professional shears Fiskars are a classic example where you can sharpen the blade or replace parts and these tools are genuinely lifetime tools if cared for. Remember the $1.50 version last a couple of weeks at best and usually only a day or 2 because the blades steel is soft and bends and cannot be sharpened again. Parts are not replaceable and once broken, they are history.
Garden gloves are another classic example of how much variability you can get in quality. If you are serious about the task at hand then make sure you cover up and protect your hands and fingers particularly. Again $1.50 will get you something called a garden glove that lasts a very short time. It is because it is made in china from pig skin that has not been cured or prepared properly and is not the correct material in the first place.
For between $20 and $30 dollars you will be able to get something like Ironclad. It is an American brand that uses a range of materials in its construction. It is designed to fit better, protect fingers, handle vigorous wear and tear and because of the materials it is comprised of it is washable, meaning it can last for years. They were designed for industrial and mining purposes and having a gardening version especially for men and for women is a huge step forward.
Potting mixes are also a classic example. Some companies sell $2.00 mixes and $12.00 mixes. Why would you pay $12.00 for soil? The answer is in the bag and the results.
The constituents are an interesting comparison. Cheap potting mix is usually comprised of sand as a filler, raw sawdust as the organic additive and maybe some loam. At worst iron sulphate has been added which blackens the mix to give the appearance of healthy soil.
The truth however could not be farther from the truth. Plants going into these mixes often turn yellow and die and sometimes very quickly. Some of the reasons for this can be explained scientifically but much of the reasons are perfectly logical. Quality potting mixes contain composted pine-bark, sawdust, fertilizer, wetting agent and water storage crystal.
The components are scientifically analysed to ensure they have the right amount of air, water holding capacity and nutrient supply to get a plant off to a great start. Individually buying all the additives and quality soil components would cost around $20.00, so a bag of quality growing medium is cheap. More importantly getting great results from your potted plants is the true objective so why risk them over a cheap soil?
Fiskars
www.fiskars.com
Ironclad
www.ironclad.com
Featured Products
Ironclad Gloves
- Gloves are used to protect your most important tool from germs in the soil, insects, cuts and grazes as well as keep your hands clean.
- Ironclad gloves are very functional and provide great protection which help you get the job done right.
Thrive Premium Potting Mix
- Ideal for all potted plants and shrubs including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegetables and herbs.
- Contains Nutricote controlled release fertiliser to feed up to nine months.
- Added wetting agent allows the mix to absorb water quickly thoroughly and allows for easy re-wetting of the mix.
- Organic based blend.
AS SEEN ON 
