Equipment for Native Restoration

# General equipment

# Clothing

Wide brim Hat
   Sun protection
   Face protection -- brim acts like an antenna
   Insect protection - swat attacker if nothing else is available

Long sleeve shirt
* Rough weave - more breathable

Long pants
   Sharp thorns/bruah, biting insects
   Hedge parsley/Beggars lice
   Velcro plant
   Poison ivy

Gloves

Camera/phone
   * Pics/videos: document your work, findings
   * Apps
      *  iNaturalist, iSeek: document nature
      *  eMerlin: birds
      *  GIS apps eg google earth, Locus map: work planning
      * Outdoor Explore: hike planning
      * Sky map: celestial bodies

      
Field guide

 Journal  
 * midori

Insect repellent
    Sulphur/talcum powder mix in pill bottle
    Pyridin coated clothing
    DEET
    
Itch Cure

Vest

Apron

Carryall belt
* Tools (clippers, sharpener, sample bags, pen, marker, notepad, twine etc.)
   Water
   Gloves
   Camera
     
    


* Small spade

## Secateurs / Hand pruners
   * Purpose: Cut twigs/branches < ½ in.

** What/why
** Notes

** Recommendations
1. huge selection to pick from, Goldilocks work
1. $$$ not necessary better. e.g cheaper Japanese steel/Chinese s5, HF Doyle cutters ~ to  Felco
1. Prefs: 1. Stanley 2. Japanese, Chinese S5 steel, Costco, HF  Doyle  6. Felco #2,4 (famous brand)

1. carry in sheath or belt
1. cut at 90⁰
1. personal, comfortable size
1. Sharpen often (carry sharpener on field)

Stanley BDS6010 Accuscape Forged Aluminum Quick Release Bypass Pruner https://a.co/d/bwHmvbD

TONMA Pruning Shears [Made in Japan] Professional 7.5 Inch Premium Plant Garden Scissors Secateurs
https://a.co/d/1UsAbGv


Felco Pruning Shears (F 4) - High Performance Swiss Made One-Hand Garden Pruners https://a.co/d/aTWjLpc

Felco F-2 068780 Classic Manual... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00023RYS6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share


#


## Loppers (2 handed shears)
* Light
* Ratcheting = less work cutting thick branches
(< 1 inch)
* Telescopic ( 2 tools for 1 )
* Greenville model


*




## Stool
* Don't have to squat or sit/kneel on ground
* Less fatigue
* Watch that back! (Show McKenzie pics of correct posture)

# Removing Invasives

* pruners

* electric reciprocating saw
   * Harbor Freight Bauer model
   * Lightest version
   

## Perennial shovel
Radius Garden 23311 Root Slayer Perennial Shovel, Red https://a.co/d/5EAOJCa

Heavier Shark shovel

## Perennial digger / pick




# Saws
* Japanese Silky saws (different sizes)
1. Sharp, light, robust blade, replaceable
1. pulling action (less fatigue)
1. Carry Sheath provided


Silky Folding Landscaping Hand... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014CC5RO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

# Sickle
Japanese sickle


# Tools maintenance / notes

   * keep it sharp: safer and less fatigue
       * 20-25 degrees
       * 1 side of each blade
       * File, sharpening stones, diamond/carbide blocks
       * Sharpening service at garden shows

   * Lubrication
Keep it dry, well oiled
       * Any oil, I use expired cooking oil

## Misc
1. ID your tools (eg. finger polish for convenience)
1.  Bright colors for easier locating (colored tape on

## Supplies
1. avoid buying bags, reuse instead
1. cut soil bags at the bottom
1. Labels: china markers instead of sharpie (fugitive inks)
1. Don't buy labelling materials, repurposed unrecyclable materials


# More specialixed tools


# Resources
1. Amazon, ebay, temu
1. Daiso





https://noahlangphotography.com/blog/best-things-to-do-big-island-hawaii

Save a bag

 Avoid buying trash bags by reusing available bags e.g. soil or mulch bags instead. They are tough and are big enough for holding trash or other items. It's a waste to discard them after only one use.

For best results in repurposing a soil bag, follow these instructions:

1. Flip the bag upside down so that the bottom is at the top.

2. Using a box cutter, slit across the now top of the <a href="https://ibb.co/zJRmNkj"> bag </a>. The bag is now fully open without the annoying flap at the top that often gets in the way.

3. After the soil is used up,  a fully functioning, reusable bag is ready for it's new purpose in life. It might be a little soiled from holding it's original contents, but that's immaterial for holding trash.

Jade Plant ( Crassula ovata)

Crassula ovata  is a succulent from South Africa.  It needs to be well drained thus water only when dry. The North Texas summer sun will burn it so move the pot appropriately. Overwinter indoors. This plant was from a pruning done 2 weeks ago.

Aloe Vera

 This Aloe Vera plant was split from it's parent plant a few weeks ago. Do not over water and keep indoors when cold in a sunny spot.

Fairy Castle Cactus

Cereus tetragonus is an easy to care for cactus. Place in a sunny spot and do not over water. It will not survive the frost so bring it indoors. The container was repurposed from a French style yogurt glass* and drilled for proper drainage. The soil is my own cactus/succulent mix.

* This glass is also good for saving food, even in the freezer, with a silicon lid. The size is just right for 1 person, and reheats well in the microwave.

Graptosedum Francesco Baldi

 Graptosedum Francesco Baldi is an easy to care for sedum and needs only infrequent watering, 

The glass container had been upcycled from a soda bottle and drilled for proper drainage. The soil was my experimental mix of garden mulch, vermiculite, expanded shale or cat litter. 

Okra

 These landrace okra seeds were harvested in 2022. They were at least 5th generations seeds since the original store bought package.  They grow well in the Houston Black Clay soil of my backyard. 

Plant them an inch deep. Since they can get quite big, space them at least a few feet apart. Group them together for easier harvesting.