Personal Gardening Toolkit
The environment at Solid Rock Farm is beautiful, but challenging. The garden is situated on a high desert plateau above the Columbia River, where glacial silt was deposited eons ago. It is often windy and dusty in the spring and summer, and cell phone reception is very spotty. Here is a list of suggested items to bring with you for a pleasant and productive visit to Solid Rock Farm.

Stirrup hoe – this is a hoe that looks like a stirrup. It is a great tool for cutting weeds off at the ground level, and for cultivating between plants.

Hat with brim – for sun protection

Drinking water and a snack – if you are a serious gardener, you will plan to spend at least an hour at the farm, and you will need drinking water, at a minimum. And a snack is a great idea – bring extra, to share!

Gardening Gloves – gardening is a lot of hand work, and it’s best to protect your hands.

Gardening Shoes – lightweight trailboots are probably best. They protect your feet and ankles from the elements (including snakes). It’s a good idea to bring another pair of shoes and socks, to change out of your dusty gardening shoes when you’re ready to go.

Watering Can – you can pick up a plastic or metal can with a sprinkler head at a garden center. It’s helpful to be able to “spot water” individual plants, in addition to the general irrigation.

Five Gallon Bucket – very useful for harvesting potatoes, tomatoes, zukes, etc. Plus you can sit on it and do work (like cleaning veggies).

Harvesting Bags – you can recycle plastic grocery bags, or bring reusable cloth bags.

Garden Knife – this can be a kitchen knife with a 4 inch serrated blade for harvesting greens, cutting zuke vines, cleaning leeks, etc.

Sunglasses – protection from sun and wind.

Skin Protection – light colored, lightweight long-sleeved shirts and lightweight khaki pants give great protection from the elements.

Old Towel – for washing and drying your feet and hands when you’re done gardening.

Hand Cream – for re-hydrating your hands after gardening.