Products we TRULY use, and Nurseries we buy from
These are products we VERIFY are durable, and add value. ONLY products that I would buy again are listed below. Some products are outside affiliate programs. We list those products because this page is about quality, durable products.
HEPPY.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
HEPPY™ is an independent small business; Amazon affiliate links below will earn us a small commission that defer the cost of developing and maintaining HEPPY™. PITCH-IN please ;)! This is our Amazon Associates Program link.
Gardening and Permaculture
The best of the best gardening products.
Everyday products for the garden
Mosquito Repellent. 100% relief.
My favorite
Mosquito Repellent. 100% relief.
Maria’s favorite
ALWAYS in back pocket.
Buy QUALITY!
Get the 8 mil. thick tie tape.
We reuse pieces for 2-3 years!
Stars / ratings are as of January 2024. These are products we use!
For weeding or loosening soil.
HIGH QUALITY & light weight
Use this around SHALLOW
rooted plants (like, Blueberry)
A BEAST. We cut thick limbs
and bamboo! Get the one with gears!
ALWAYS on
my knees
Transplanting & Planting
Mycorrhizae. For transplanting
and planting new plants
Perlite.
Aerate soil; healthy roots
Soil Test Kit.
Reliably Test pH for $13
Increase soil pH (lime).
Apply to acidic soil; increase alkaline levels for plants like Truffle Oak
Decrease soil pH (sulfate).
Apply to alkaline soil; increase acidic levels for plants like Blueberries
Other garden products
Plastic Nursery Bags.
Inexpensive and sufficient. See how we used them!
Grafting Knife.
Stainless Steel
Grafting Parafilm (tape).
1″ wide — great coverage
Wasp / Fly Traps.
We tried SIX products — watch on YouTube.
This is the ONLY one I’d buy again.
A classic book:
Author James Duke is a
legend. Book is on my desk.
A classic book:
Pawpaw! LARGE native fruit.
Read book, met author.
Home - for health and value
Priceless items for health
iSpring RCC7 Reverse Osmosis
filtration system for PERFECT drinking water.
We have TWO iSpring RCC7s!
Oster all metal drive blender.
We have an antique BUT it works like a charm!
See how we use ours to make a Superfruit Smoothie.
Toughest Tools — PROVEN, rugged durable tools
BEST hand and power tools
Expensive BUT it’s brushless.
It’ll last a lifetime!
PRICELESS!
Corona Pruner.
Forged steel; easily resharpenable.
It’s the best.
A monster hand tool.
I till the top 3″ of soil with this “bad boy.”
Durable & quality.
A BEAST.
Let me emphasize ;): we cut thick ~3″ bamboo stalks with it! Gears!
BEST Wheelbarrow
Lowes / Kobalt / see below
Not purchasable from Amazon; go to lowes.com. It’s their most expensive wheelbarrow. It has steel handles; flat-free tire; heaviest gage tray.
BEST Shovel (spade)
Home Depot / Razor-Back
Not purchasable from Amazon; go to homedepot.com. It’s expensive BUT lasts! Fiberglass handle; sleeve above the blade; heavy.
BEST gas powered tools
16″ Echo chainsaw is amazingly
powerful and lightweight.
I stopped using the 24″ chainsaw!
Need chainsaw chain?
For the 16″ Echo chainsaw, use the
Oregon S57 Advance Cut chain,
16″ chain, 57 Links, 3/8″ pitch.
58.2 CC Back Pack Blower.
Going 4 years and starts like a champ.
THIS WILL clean the yard!
50:1 Oil Mix.
For chainsaws, blowers,
weed eaters, trimmers, etc.!
String Trimmer (weed eater)
STIHL String Trimmer (weed eater).
FS 100RX bought used.
OVER 6-7 YEARS: Changed carb and trimmer head.
It’s a BEAST trimmer!
Not purchasable from Amazon; click here for Google search results for STIHL String Trimmer.
Carburetor KIT for Stihl
String Trimmer (weed eater).
Installed Aug 21, 2018.
Trimmer Head for Stihl.
Installed July 30, 2023.
See how we installed it!
Trimmer Line.
Good quality.
Grease for Trimmer Head.
USE annually.
Earth Augers
Harbor Freight
Gas Powered Earth Auger.
Saves a LOT of work for ~$200.
Not purchasable from Amazon; click here for Harbor Freight.
Harbor Freight
21″. Auger Extension Shaft.
Setting fence posts? The get the Extension.
Not purchasable from Amazon; click here for Harbor Freight.
I pre-drilled with drill auger.
I used the auger to “feel” for roots and rocks (river rock being the biggest issue)!
Website and YouTubing
Video Equipment
Apple iPhone, expensive BUT
with a 4k camera + phone
Inexpensive and lasted
~4 years filming in garden!
You’ll need this with
tripod on the left
Inexpensive but solid!
Bad instructions; many features
Apple iPhone Case
Solid and durable.
Video Software
I receive no commission here, but it’s my experience, shared with you.
Canva
We have a Canva Pro subscription. Canva replaced the VERY expensive software — Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop is incredibly powerful and is a great product. However, Canva is VERY user friendly and sufficient for website design and YouTubing.
Also, Canva Pro provides access to a massive number of photos. They have outstanding photos of plants.
Movavi
Movavi is an inexpensive video editing software. I needed no training to use it — it’s that user-friendly. Easy-to-use has value. I had no video editing experience and was thrilled to make videos without training.
CAUTION: I use an older version; the 2023 version has a known bug. I purchased v2023, discovered the bug (it’s not disclosed by Movavi), and “returned” it for a full refund.
Nurseries we buy from AND recommend
We’ve purchased from about 30 nurseries that specialize in edible fruiting plants. These are small business nurseries! State nurseries have supplied us plants too! Overall, I’ve spent over $10,000.00 buying edible fruiting plants. Along the way I learned a few things 😉
Nurseries VERY mission-oriented to edible fruiting plants
Bob Wells Nursery
Bob Wells Nursery is a great find for me. They offered the Atomic Red Double Flowering Nectarine Tree that no one else had (at the time I was looking for it). And, offered very exotic plants like the Agarita, Mahonia trifoliolata.
Shipping was rocket-fast. I’m patient and somewhat indifferent to fast shipping. However, I was amazed at their speed. I had my plants within days!
Edible Landscaping
Edible Landscaping is the first nursery I purchased plants from. They have a walkable garden where you can see large, mature fruiting plants! You can see and taste exotic fruit right off super mature fruit trees. It was a great way for me to learn. HEPPY, and our exhibition garden was, in part, inspired by Edible Landscaping. Also, their staff is exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly. here’s their facebook page.
parking is tight and they have a huge following. so if you visit them, i recommend doing it on off days / off hours if possible (like, Tue-Thur). I still visit them annually.
England's Orchard & Nursery
England’s Orchard & Nursery is operated by a terrific family. They could not have been more hospitable. Thankfully Cliff had time to show me a few things. I had an enjoyable day. Loaded a truck to the brim with plants. I keep-up with Cliff on facebook.
Reliable, knowledge, great prices, massive number of trees, and responsive. Can’t ask for more than that. here’s their facebook page.
Great Escape Farms
Great Escape Farms is a family farm located around Romney, WV. They also have a farm in Pasadena, MD. Contact information is here. Edible plants are propagated and grown on their farm! Elderberry, Che, Comfrey, Blackberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Pawpaw, Hardy Kiwi, Persimmon, Honeyberry, Flying Dragon, and more. Pick-up plants only (just visit one of their farms!).
Also, Great Escape Farms provides a lot of helpful online content. 25,000 thousand subscribers and over 5 million views proves it! LOTS of online content. Examples include rainwater harvest systems, permaculture / regenerative practices, and how to use companion plants and design growing areas to maximize production. Subscribe to their YouTube channel!
Growers Exchange
Need Herbs? Then check-out The Growers Exchange. It’s a small, family-owned business. They have a large selection of Herbs. Their website is easy to navigate, and they ship quality plants.
The pots are rather small BUT it’s plenty of plant to get Herbs growing and then, propagating! We purchase 95% of our Herbs from Growers Exchange.
Here’s a 5% off discount code (it’s an affiliate link; however, I truly buy from them, stick with them, and trust the qualify I receive. and, they’re a small, family-owned business).
BTW, i shop by plant zone. IF you want to shop The Growers Exchange by zone, then click on this link, scroll to the BOTTOM of the page, and select “Shop Plants for Zone [your zone].”
Missouri Wildflowers Nursery
Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is one of the first nurseries i visited. a friendly chap took me around and i purchased several plants for HEPPY. it was my ‘early’ days and one take-away i have is buy larger-sized plants! HEPPY is frugal but some plants grow slow. so buy a larger plant-size! My purchased Beautyberry and the Rusty Black Haw have size not but geez, it took then awhile. here’s their facebook page.
Native Foods Nursery
Native Foods Nursery provides native plants for the edible backyard garden! I discovered them after Googling for unusual fruiting plants. I found Indian Plum, Red and Blue Elderberry, Buffaloberry, Indian Ricegrass, Pacific Silverweed, etc. And I liked the bareroot selections. More plants at a lower cost! Native Foods Nursery is another small business offering plants that are edible. Quality plants are shipped. Here’s their facebook page.
Natives of Texas
Natives of Texas is owned-operated by Dr. J David Winningham (“Dave”). what a beautiful space he has. Dave’s story is fascinating and online — check it out. nurseryman is his retirement work.
it’s the ONLY nursery i found selling the Texas Mulberry (Morus microphylla). also, he sells a fascinating array of Passion Fruit (Passion Flower) vines, and the Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana). These and other trees (Soapberry) are NOT easy to find for sale. i purchased several garden plants ‘on the fly’, not entirely sure how they’d fit into HEPPY. check-out my vid: 24 Edible Plants and Garden Plants Review.
One Green World
One Green World stands out as a large supplier. HEPPY has purchased from them online. they’re in Washington State.
a little pricy and now, during the pandemic, their inventory seems depleted. but they have a very well maintained website with reliable information. and, they have a big selection to study (albeit, many are out of stock). so PLEASE go to these other family-owned nurseries.
Restoring Eden
i was thrilled to find Restoring Eden. in many ways they mirror One Green World (a compliment), but i’ve purchased larger plants at a lower cost from them. HEPPY has purchased from them online. they’re in Washington State.
you won’t always find certain plant details, like zone or species name. you many have to do a little more research. BUT i’ve received high quality plants, shipped quick, and they’re a small business. so PLEASE go to this and other family-owned nurseries.
Whitman Farms
i found Whitman Farms via Growing Fruit’s gardening blog site. Whitman Farms began informally in 1980. It was / is a one-woman show. Lucile Whitman is that woman and she was out ahead with gardening edible plants.
in particular, Whitman Farms has a large selection of Mulberry trees, currants, and Ginkgo trees. they have MANY other plants that produce fruit, and other tress. PLEASE go to this and other family-owned nurseries.
Willis Orchard Company
Willis Orchard is also owned-operated by a family. i was passing through when i picked-up my order. so, i wasn’t able to walk the nursery. but the trees i purchased were EXCELLENT specimens. check-out my vid: 24 Edible Plants and Garden Plants Review.
again, great prices, massive number of trees, and responsive. here’s their facebook page.
Nurseries we recommend but are GENERALISTS
Catskill Native Nursery
Catskill Native Nursery is located in New York. I drove from Maryland to their NY nursery to buy my TRESURED Franklinia Tea Trees.
Nice folks, good selection. Since they have Franklinia plants, then you know they’re different! And that’s worth supporting!
Chesapeake Natives
NO SHIPPING. However, if you’re in the Washington DC region, then please visit Chesapeake Natives.
They promote, protect and propagate Chesapeake Bay Watershed native plants. And that includes edible beauties such as the American Spikenard, American Hazelnut, Canadian Serviceberry, Possumhaw, Southern Arrowwood, and several Mountainmints. I began buying/planting native flowering plants too! They’re located in the Rosaryville State Park near Upper Marlboro, MD.
Chesapeake Natives is a 501(c)3, non-profit enterprise and deserves our support! It’s all volunteers! They actually find, harvest and propagate true Chesapeake Bay Watershed native plants! You can donate here.
Colesville Nursery
Colesville Nursery writes, “you can always expect expert advice, great customer service & wonderful hardy plant stock.” And I agrees.
This a family-owned small business. They have a HUGE selection of plants. Although they are generalists, I found the VERY RARE White Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana at Colesville. They’re located in Virginia.
US State Nurseries
Iowa State Forest Nursery
Iowa State Forest Nursery looks like a great resource! In 2024, I see most plants at a $1.00 each. However, I believe you’ll have to order in multiples of 25. I see a nice inventory of hardwoods, small trees and shrubs.
*** HEPPY comment: a good inventory of edible native plants.
Maryland John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery
Maryland State Forest Tree Nursery has several rules to follow. However, they have an excellent inventory of edible native plants.
*** HEPPY comment: excellent inventory of edible native plants.
New Hampshire State Forest Nursery
New Hampshire State Forest Nursery offers more than 50 species of bare-root seedling for sale to the public. All their seedlings are grown from seed in their own seedbeds to ensure they are well adapted to the regional climate and conditions.
*** HEPPY comment: excellent inventory of edible native plants.
New York Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery
New York State Tree Nursery’s webpage is not easy to navigate. Look for their Nursery Stock Availability list. This linked to their ‘Nursery Stock Availability for 2023’.
*** HEPPY comment: good inventory of edible native plants.
North Carolina Forest Service
North Carolina Forest Service produces more than 16 million tree seedlings, offer an inventory of more 40 tree species and even provide understory grasses that can help landowners achieve their management goals.
*** HEPPY comment: few or no edible native plants.
Pennsylvania State's Howard Nursery
Pennsylvania State’s Howard Nursery grows tree and shrub seedlings for state game land use, participating Hunter Access cooperators, the Seedlings for Schools program and our conservation partners. Any remaining surplus is available to Pennsylvania residents for purchase for wildlife food and cover, watershed protection, soil erosion control, and for reclamation of disturbed areas, such as surface mine site and utility right-of-ways.
*** HEPPY comment: may be restricted to Pennsylvania residents. Some State nurseries have those and other restrictions.
Virginia Department of Forestry
Virginia Department of Forestry offers a good inventory of edible native plants.
*** HEPPY comment: good inventory of edible native plants, and offers a filter so you can search by plants that attract various wildlife (turkey, bees, songbirds, etc.).
Disclosures
our passion is the work you see across HEPPY™ (heppy.org, HEPPY lifestyle on YouTube). We also passion for sharing what we do. we are also monetizing our effort to off-set the costs.
HEPPY™ builds quality of life (QOL) with tried, true & tested products. HEPPY pillars: nutritional, physical, mental, creative, and financial health. the products below are the things we use & do & other stuff that got us here — to HEPPY.
YOU can HELP by clicking on any item before buying something on Amazon. Commissions from advertising defers the cost of developing and maintaining HEPPY™. PITCH-IN please ;)!
Our affiliations and disclosure are below:
- Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.