The Best of the Year 2013

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

This is a new one for this publication but I thought it would be a good idea. Here I shall be listing the best books and products that I have encountered and reviewed this year.

Best books

I think #1 must be “Turn Here Sweet Corn” as it is such a good book that gives such a deep insight into organic gardening and -farming without being preachy.

On the same level we have then “A Quirk of Destiny” – another must read book – though different, as it is about GMO and more a thriller and a novel rather than a memoir.

“A Handbook of Scotland's Wild Harvest”, “The Rurbanite”, “Lost the Plot” and “The New Horse-Powered Farm” all shall share the second spot here are they are, in their own fields, equally important.

Best products

Loewe garden pruners must here be mentioned as the best tools that I have reviewed in 2012 and 2013 as far as pruning shears are concerned. 2013 saw the 90th anniversary of the first ever anvil pruning shears made and patented by Loewe and for this anniversary the company went retro and produced a version of the first one in almost identical packaging too.

The Grow Bag Frame is then the next best product for the garden and it stands out in its simplicity making the use of the British grow bag for growing the likes of tomatoes or beans so much better and so much more efficient.

Megahome Water Distiller

Rock Croft Safe Eyes wrap around safety goggles

Fiskars SmartFit™P68

Freeplay Encore Player

And here you have it. My take on the best books and product that I was able to review in 2013.

© 2013