Below are some of our favorite tools and toys for working in the garden and bringing natural products back into the home. All our products have been carefully employee-tested; they are the items most frequently bought to give as Christmas gifts by our employees and/or most preferred by our landscaping crew in the field. We hope they will enliven your gardening experiences and enrich your life.
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Native Grasses of California Poster
36" x 24" poster
Beautiful paintings of 23 different native grass species, with distribution map for each. Includes detailed close-up of flower stalk. $3 handling charge. Shipped separately in tube.
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Native Oaks of California Poster illustrations by Michael Lee
36" x 24" poster
A gorgeous and helpful "field guide for your wall." Includes image of oak leaf, acorn, and range map for 20 different California native oaks. A good review before you go acorn-harvesting in the fall. Printed on recycled paper. $3 handling charge. Shipped separately in tube.
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California Oak Woodland Community Poster
by Suzanne Duranceau
24" x 18" poster
An exquisite compilation of the birds, mammals, insects, and plants that make up our oak woodland communities. An inspiring teaching tool in the "picture is worth a thousand words " category. Printed on recycled paper. $3 handling charge. Shipped separately in tube.
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Hydrosols
We’re happy to announce 5 new products: Hydrosols from Organically Grown Native Plants. At Larner Seeds, we promote being “in the sphere” of California native plants, interacting with them in as many ways as possible. Hydrosols are a pleasurable, medicinal, and easy way to extend this interface.
Over the last year, we tested these products on ourselves and friends and family members, and were surprised and delighted by the results. They are $8.50 for a 2-oz bottle, which we have used to try them out, and now we’re buying the 32-oz bottles ($50.00) to refill the handy attractive spray bottles. I keep them in the car, the office, the bedroom. The producers say: “Hydrosol is a steam-distilled extract of specific aromatic plants that contains essential oil, natural fragrance and plant “energetics.” Sceptical at first, now I’m a believer.
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Coastal Sage (Artemisia californica)
From the pungent, silver-gray leaves and flowers of one of the essential members of the coastal scrub plant community. The producers say: “Anti-flammatory. Astringent, relieves swelling, soothes stiff muscles. Useful in overcoming respiratory complaints.” This I had the opportunity to experiment with over the disease-ridden Holiday season. It became my constant companion.
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2-oz bottle $8.50 |
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32-oz. $50.00 |
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Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica)
From leaves, flowers, and fruit of the beautiful and useful bay tree, this fragrance is delicious, not heavy as you might expect from smelling the leaves. It was the chosen gift of several ten-year-olds with gift certificates to our office. Producers say: “Soothing to sunburned skin, treats minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Creates an atmosphere of hospitality when misted before guests arrive.” This last claim I tested as well, and several potentially onerous events were transformed. (I’m almost positive it was not the champagne!)
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2-oz bottle $8.50 |
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32-oz. $50.00 |
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Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
David Douglas might have been surprised to learn of this use for the West’s most important timber tree. The producers was poetic on this one: “Use mist to reduce irritation to eyes and nose from dust or pollen. Lessens severity of hot flashes.” Note this, travelers. “When traveling, freshen rental car of hotel room. Overcome fatigue in office or conference room. Mist to improve mood in meetings or to refresh common spaces between use. Mesmerizing fragrance.” The Larner Seeds Garden Shop is well-misted now.
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2-oz bottle $8.50 |
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32-oz. $50.00 |
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| Two hydrosols from non-native plants follow, because they were found to be so effective: |
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Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
I use this to get me going in the morning, and to get through the late afternoon slump. Producers say: “A good antidote for lethargy. Improves concentration and memory. Relief from respiratory problems. Hair conditioner, increases circulation.”
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2-oz bottle $8.50 |
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32-oz. $50.00 |
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Antique Rose (Rosa centifolia)
Wonderful as a moisturizer for mature skin. “Apply mist to neck and face throughout the day. Rose is a mood balancer with an expansive and comforting influence. Reduces stress and insomnia.”
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2-oz bottle $8.50 |
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32-oz. $50.00 |
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NEW!
Gancho
These handmade tools are found in many Mexican homes and have many uses. Made from recycled car parts. Your purchase supports a cottage industry in Esquinapa.
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Seedbed Protector
For protection of “on the ground” broadcast sowing of seeds. A long-lasting, white, re-usable polyester material that admits water and some sun while protecting emerging seed from depredations of birds and other seed-eating critters. Can be used in “sheet mulching.” Instructions on how-to-use included. 15 ‘ length.
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The Snapy
The Snapy will make you happy.” That is what a friend of mine kept saying, a baffling statement till I bought one. Then, I found out it was true. The Snapy is a great way to remove insects from the home without harming them. Before releasing them outdoors, they can be examined closely, increasing your love of and knowledge of these essential, fascinating components of the natural world. Great for helping insect-o-phobes overcome their aversion, as the insect looks appealingly grateful inside the clear plastic removal chamber. I've tried it on my sister, a hard case, with postive results.
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Japanese Hand Pick (Pick 'n Hoe)
If I had to pick just one tool to bring to gardening jobs, it would be the splendid traditional Japanese handpick. It weeds, rakes, and digs small planting holes, is easy on the body, sturdy and long-lasting. One family of landscapers we know brings each new family member hoping to work in the landscaping field to our office to buy their own handpick.
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Hand Pruners
A delight to use - light weight, easy on the hands, makes excellent cuts.
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Japanese Pruning Saw with Hanging Sheath
Makes pruning chores pleasurable, an exquisite tool. Pricey, but once you've experienced it, you won't want to go back to a cruder tool.
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Japanese Trowel (Hori-hori)
Japanese digging tool. Our favorite for transplanting and weeding.
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Weed Wrench
The Cadillac of broom and other shrub removers. The famous tool developed and manufactured by New Tribes, this tool makes the removal of French and Scotch broom and other weedy shrubs, easy to do and easy on the back. Painted "Golden Gate" orange so you won't lose them.
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Available at our garden shop only. |
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Bee Balm
If you are one of those gardeners who dislikes wearing gloves, Bee Balm is a necessary part of your gardening equipment. Apply before you garden and again after you've washed the soil off your hands. Other lotions seem wimpy in comparison. Long-lasting 4-oz tube.
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