10 WORST Amazon Gardening Purchases!

[@NowGardening]

Check the description box for timestamps if you want to skip ahead! Also, I'll add a list with the Amazon links, so you can make sure you're not accidentally buying these.

[@innerjon]

You need to buy the temperature regulator that’s not included for the heat mat. Works great

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for sharing. I’ll look into it

[@Randy_Smith]

you beat me to it. I had the same issue with poor performing heat mats until I saw a video that explained exactly how the mats work and why it's necessary to use them with a thermostat.

[@MsBetsyLu]

That compost in the tumbler is too dry. Many blessings all.

[@NowGardening]

You’re right. It’s part of the problem. I wet it, but there are so many holes that it’s dry by the next day.

[@MsBetsyLu]

@@NowGardening can you plug up some of the holes???? Blessings everyone everywhere and always

[@BrisLS1]

I like those tumblers. My compost gets too wet and sludgy from fruit peels. Thanks for a reverse recommendation.

[@tmontero8492]

I purchased the same seed starting mats and they actually work great. However, they must be purchased with thermostats to insure seedlings maintain the proper temperature, somewhere around 68-70ºF -- they also convert to Celsius. I too, have purchased a few gardening bombs. That tiller was certainly a ridiculous disaster. But for the most part, I am able to get some pretty good deals on certain items like soil supplements and garden tools -- just not all the time. The 4/5 star reviews that number in the thousands on many garbage-items are indeed perplexing. Thanks for sharing!

[@NowGardening]

Interesting. I’m going to go back and see if my model has an optional thermostat. I don’t remember that being available on this one, but I could be wrong. I do love many of my Amazon products too. I should probably do a video on my favorites sometime.

[@jenniferhunter4074]

same here. I have two of those mats and it works fine as long as you don't plant shallow. I only use it up till germination. Say.. 90% of the seeds planted. Then, it's off and it's time for grow lights.

[@CJ-sg3vs]

I learned a long time ago not to trust the customer ratings on Amazon.

[@pricklypear1111]

YNERHAI garden mesh netting is SO cheap! In less than a week I have insects still getting into my veggies

[@cltinturkey]

FYI, no reputable soil test or soil test kit can measure nitrogen levels accurately. If they did, it would be a waste of money. Nitrogen is ephemeral. It comes and goes quickly as used by growing plants. Assume that you continually need to add plant sources of nitrogen (well-rotted compost) to every bed or pot you start. All plants benefit from nitrogen, from natural plant sources, NOT FROM CHEMICAL OR SYNTHETIC SOURCES. Natural decomposed amendments (your natural bucket fertilizers, diluted with water) are a great source and will help boost nitrogen. You can also plant peas, fava beans, legumes, and many cover crops, to serve as nitrogen-fixing plants. As you harvest them, cut off plant at the soil level and chop and drop the unused plant material to decompose. Roots will die off underground, adding nitrogen.

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for your comment and for the tips. I'm reading a book currently on the chemistry underlying fertilizers, compost, and plant nutrients. It reads like a science book but is loaded with incredibly useful information.

[@flatsville9343]

A covercrop heavy on beans & peas only fixes substantial N if you terminate the crop right before or at blossom. The N nodules will then fix in the soil & eventually be bio-available to a future crop. If allowed to fully blossom & set beans/peas, the N gets used up. Plant sacrifice beans/peas in the fall for winter kill. Terminate it yourself if it fails to kill at blossom due to a too warm fall or delayed hard freeze. You can harvest tender shoots as salad fixiins' ot stir fry as you go along. Don't let them set beans/ peas. You just wasted your time/effort.

[@pristineperistome5696]

What evidence do you have to support that synthetic nitrogen will not benefit plants?

[@MsBetsyLu]

Clear plastic does break down like that. Colored or white plastic buckets are available as food grade plastic. But don't fall apart like that. Blessings everyone everywhere and always

[@adrabruzzese7610]

Yes clear plastic breaks down incredibly quick out doors.

[@maryruud9566]

I also bought the Ph tester from Amazon and returned it because I got the same reading when I tested my native soil, a bag of garden soil, potting soil and even vermiculite!

[@NowGardening]

Hi Mary. Yes, exactly! Thanks for sharing your story

[@paulschaefer5241]

Those "customer reviews" are not a reliable method of rating product quality. Many of them are rated by marketing bots. essentially computers programmed to give a good review. Many others have actual cusomer surveys but you are not allowed in the survey to not give a good rview. In a nutshell, these reviews are not a reliable means of rating product quality.

[@NowGardening]

You’re exactly right, Paul. I didn’t say this in the video, but I’ve been contacted by companies selling on Amazon in the past year asking for a good review in exchange for free stuff. They don’t want an honest review; they want a good one. They’re definitely trying to rig the review system.

[@paulschaefer5241]

I had one where I was not at all satified. I was still not allowed to say I didn't like the service.@@NowGardening

[@pc1189]

Had a laugh about seeds from Amazon like yourself the Pak Choi seeds had hundreds of great reviews and I couldn’t locate them locally so I ordered there were 12 seeds in the packet 😠 The seller did replace and refund original purchase but what a pain. Also bought a Saakar mini battery chainsaw used it once on 3 small branches and it never worked again. A real hassle with the seller to make me whole on that one. Seriously people you are better off going to local business rather the the easy click a link and have junk delivered to your door.

[@NowGardening]

Absolutely. I always look for famous in-country brands on Amazon when I can’t find something locally. It’s not always possible here in France, but I try.

[@Jimbo878]

Take your cue from farmers 👨🏻‍🌾, the best time to rotovate soil is immediately after every frost has thawed, soil amendment: invest in a robust office shredder (15-20 sheets, crosscut shredder, Amazon basics or Bonsaii brand) shred waste paper and cardboard, rotovate this, with a scattering of bicarbonate of soda/ agri lime/plaster board/drywall (gypsum and chalk) into your heavy clay soil along with any other organic material/grass clippings, leaves, pine needles etc. Great video Val, you and Rayyan are looking well, and the weather looks fabulous where you are 😎

[@NowGardening]

Hi Jimbo. Thanks for your tips. I’m saving your comment to give them a try. So far it’s been a long road, and the only thing that seems to be working is letting mulch break down and create soil. I might have to live to be 100 to see it all come to fruition 😂 And yes, it was lovely the day I filmed but has been mostly raining and cold since. It’s nice to finally see autumn, though, so no complaints here. Thanks again for sharing what had worked for you.

[@Jimbo878]

@@NowGardening "every drop fills the bucket" as my Grandfather used to say, little and often, make a bum belt with a clip and a tether for your tiller, attached low to the motor head of the machine, although you are of petite stature your bodyweight will tame that beast, lean back/sit into the pull and use your heels 🚜

[@NowGardening]

That's so smart. Saving this too :) I laughed when I saw the video my son had taken last year with me getting bested by the tiller. Humbling 😅@@Jimbo878

[@Jimbo878]

@@NowGardening a tip from a neighbour who has an allotment garden: Get as many seed potatoes as you can, plant out (they don't need to be in neat rows, just randomly) these are your "sacrificial" clay soil breakers and organic material. Now is the time of year to start this, this time next year after the first frost has weakened the foliage go over the patch with your tiller, foliage, potatoes, roots et al, the following spring you will have made a significant difference, with a 4 inch deep layer of lush, dark soil, the things you learn from the " Owl hands" are gold 👨🏻‍🌾

[@rickkcir9959]

I have found clear plastic has no resistance to UV light.

[@NowGardening]

That’s exactly the case with these. The went from soft plastic to brittle in such a short time. I wish I had known before I bought them.

[@rickkcir9959]

@@NowGardening black seems the most resilient in the sun. One tip that should work on clear buckets is a product like Armorall Protectant. It was used successfully (by The Permaculture Orchard I think) to prolong the life of irrigation valves and parts. Just apply it to the exposed plastic as sunscreen. I am going to try car wax with UV myself, now that it is on my mind.

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Good list, Val. We sent our soil samples to a lab, really good value imo. That was a crazy safety "design" on the tiller !! Cheers J&C 🌱🤞👍😊

[@NowGardening]

Hi J &C, that’s definitely the way to go. Hope you guys are having a good weekend 😍

[@lesliejacobs3002]

I bought onion seeds supposed to be large storage onions. they were all chive seeds.. missed a whole year of storage onions.. super mad.

[@NowGardening]

Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. You must have been furious

[@wayneu1233]

It appears that we purchased the same heat mats, but mine have been functioning perfectly over 3 seasons. If the quality is inconsistent, I guess I just got lucky!

[@NowGardening]

I’m glad to hear that. Maybe I just got a bad one!

[@jshkrueger]

This is a mix of user error, coming sense, bad thought process, and some bad products. Of course you can't put just any plastic outside. If it's not a UV rated plastic, it WILL break down rather quickly. Of course that plastic netting would not work to protect against moles, lol. PH meter, yeah, that takes some research before buying. Easy to buy bad products. Soil test kit, they do work, but of course they're not going to be as accurate as a real soil test Seed starting pots are pots. If you buy cheap, you're going to get a cheap product, lol. Yeah, an electric tiller like that should not have a cord. And the nature of that kind of tiller, light without the weight to keep it from jumping in hard dirt, it will jerk you around. Only safe in light or already tilled soil. You might have gotten a lemon on the seed starting mats. There are some really good ones on Amazon. Compost tumbler is 100% user error. I have one similar to that one. It works very well. When you opened it up, you didn't have NEARLY enough material in there. It also looked very dry. You do have to add water if it dries out. The same rules for compost piles apply to the tumblers. The right green/brown ratios and moisture levels are still important. The solar lights sounds like you got a lemon. Solar lights always come with the batteries. You should have contacted the seller about the missing batteries. Also, they never would have kept animals away, lol. Seeds are a hit or miss on Amazon. You have to look at the reviews and seller reputations.

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Try no-till with additions of compost and organic matter. The soil biome will help remedy the clay compaction. Wood chips are great for this too.

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for the tips

[@MsBetsyLu]

pH tester????? I might have one of those. Now you tell us. Blessings everyone everywhere and always

[@MsBetsyLu]

We would have told u plastic mole stuff won't work Blessings everyone everywhere and always

[@redthorn13]

Carry cords over your shoulder

[@NowGardening]

I learned that after the first try, but it's still far from ideal

[@summerbeemeadow]

PH test paper strips are not accurate. The available test kits with capsules of chemicals and sample viewing tubes are quite accurate. I've checked both types against an accurate meter.

[@NowGardening]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing this

[@MsBetsyLu]

Pepper seeds are miserable

[@NowGardening]

Agreed

[@lindag9975]

Great information. I've had pretty good success with seeds purchased from Amazon. I've bought many, and almost all have germinated. But I will definitely avoid the other items you mentioned. Thanks for the warning.

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Linda. Good to know you’ve had more positive luck with seed purchases. The bad seeds I got could have simply been a pandemic issue. Once burnt, I didn’t try it again to find out.

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

I agree with you on the heat mats, mine got soooo hot that everything died! And I can't recommend the garlic either, it had to be old shriveled up stock that they sent me, and nothing grew right 😢 - never again! That has been my experience with Amazon purchases, i wouldn't recommend them!

[@NowGardening]

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I hope others share theirs too, so we can know what all to avoid!

[@TheEnpee]

Did you check their "Made in" ? China, for sure, in most of the cases !

[@NowGardening]

Most of them for sure. We can’t always get « home country » brands here ont he French Amazon

[@TheEnpee]

@@NowGardening I believe India has insisted upon Amazon to indicate the country of origin on all its products, simultaneously requesting it's people to avoid Chinese products to the extent possible.

[@beckyh685]

I have an AWFUL time with voles/moles. Can you tell me what galvanized sheets that you use? I must not be using the right search words...

[@NowGardening]

Hi Becky. I feel your pain! Here is the Amazon link that will work anywhere in the world if the product is available in your Amazon store. Hopefully, it will work for you. I have this in all my raised bed and am about to put it under the compost bin I'm building. amzn.to/46ki9yo

[@tobruz]

It’s properly called hardware cloth

[@casings1]

I've been trying to find the wire shelving unit that you have through Amazon, but the link is not directing me to that unit. Do you have another link or code for it? I already purchased one that's collapsing. I don't want another one that won't hold the weight. Thanks for your help and saving me from the bad items!

[@NowGardening]

Here is the one I have. I'm going to give you the full link which is long, but should take you straight to it since the shorter link didn't work. Let me know if you still can't see it. www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Adjustable-Shelving-Organizer/dp/B01M0A4B9M?crid=3NS2TS03OVPGV&keywords=amazon%2Bbasic%2Bheavy%2Bduty%2Bshelving&qid=1700385452&sprefix=amazon%2Bbasic%2Bheavy%2Bduty%2Bshelving%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.17d9e15d-4e43-4581-b373-0e5c1a776d5d&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=nowgardening-20&linkId=fc824cbecc5b21138f981dc730678141&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

[@Katnip7770]

Seeds! I ordered some flower seeds that were supposed to be little short chrysanthemum-like flowers. Four months later, a tiny packet arrived from China. I grew them the following summer in hanging baskets. Well, these things were three feet tall and some sort of daisy. I kept lengthening the chain on the baskets to make room for them, but they looked ridiculous by the time they flowered. 😂

[@NowGardening]

Great story! Thanks for sharing. It sounds like a frustrating experience. I had to laugh, though. I felt like I was there lowering the chains on the hanging pot with you 😂

[@krafterpc]

Any seeds from foreign countries are forbidden by the USDA agricultural division.😮 I had no idea and was written up with a warning!!! Purchased fig starts from Italy. Confiscated. Also, handed over seeds from China. Purchases need to go through customs. Just FYI…😊

[@Katnip7770]

I have since learned this. I’m in Canada, but I think there might be similar legislation here. If not, there should be. Invasive species can be a real problem to native plants and animals. When I ordered the seeds I neglected to check where they were coming from. I did not expect them to be shipped all the way from China. I’m more careful of my purchases now; ordering local items is better for the environment in several ways (avoiding detrimental shipping effects and the potential introduction of invasives.) Purchasing local items also helps stimulate the local economy, industry and agriculture.

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I honestly hadn't considered this, but you've brought up a very important issue. Also, I'm not sure how it is there, but I really would like to see Amazon supply chain transparency for items. I spend 1/2 hr sometimes researching a company that has US or European address, only to become suspicious about where their products really come from.@@Katnip7770

[@charlotteoleary196]

My PH tester worked after I used sandpaper on the tips of it, it wo'n't work until you rough it up a bit.

[@NowGardening]

Interesting. I wish I still had mine to try this trick.

[@calebfuller4713]

Yes. If you actually RTFM it tells you to use fine sandpaper to remove the oxidized layer of metal on the tip. It is the electrical reaction of the newly exposed metal with the wet soil ions that generate the result, depending on how they react.

[@thinkwy13]

I bought Parisian carrot seeds and potato slips from Amazon. Harvested big crops with both.

[@NowGardening]

Good to know. Perhaps my issue was more of a supply chain issue following Covid shutdowns

[@edwardgarza2980]

I had a small gas tiller, never again as far as seeds, I’ve been keep my own I have 24 varieties of fruits and vegetables right now and hope to increase in the years to come.

[@NowGardening]

That’s amazing. I have about half of my own seeds now but am always adding to them (not from Amazon seed purchases!) As for the tiller, the old timers around here use heavy gas powered tillers-im guessing that what this hard earth requires to make a difference.

[@Cobbmtngirl]

I try real hard not to buy plastic products. Not only is the process to make plastic toxic but much of the toxins stay in the plastic & can get into your food.

[@NowGardening]

I know what you mean. I’m always appalled by how much plastic there is in gardening products. I’m starting to see some plant-based plastics, so maybe we’re moving forward finally!

[@SilentFox109]

Amazon is good for some things, and can be a good choice because of lower prices, but I'm starting to realize that Amazon sells a lot of poorly made things and I'm starting to trust it less.

[@quin0190]

I don't agree with you with heat mats. They worked well with my coleus

[@reginafetty6374]

I haven't had trouble with the heat mats either.

[@summerbeemeadow]

Some rotating composting barrels work quite well. They do require that some prior compost, native soil, or packaged compost inoculant be added to get going. They also require that the composting material be kept damp. I purchased the popular "Maze compost tumbler". They were made only in Australia and were hard to find when I got mine. It looks like they've expanded their product line, since.

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for sharing your experience and a brand that works well. I know some people swear by the tumblers. Mine aren’t bad, but my normal compost pile is surprisingly faster and less maintenance. It’s possibly due to the dampness. This one seems to dry out quickly.

[@birtakimguzellik]

nice

[@NowGardening]

Thank you

[@nkvball808]

I had the same problem with those pH testers not worth the trouble

[@NowGardening]

They’re a huge waste of money in my opinion.

[@jimthompson5272]

Did you use a thermostat (sold separately) with your heat mats?

[@NowGardening]

Hi Jim, sorry for the late response. This model did not come recommended with a thermostat. I'm not sure if a thermostat can be added from another brand.

[@gardenwithgrandma3533]

Greenhouse, panels just blew off and down the street😢

[@NowGardening]

Oh no! I hope you got it under control !

[@theworkingmansgarden7638]

Hi, Valerie! My buddy tried one of those pH testers years ago and the same thing happened. He was excited that his soil pH was good, but I went and poured some vinegar in some soil and stuck it, same reading! BlueLab has a great soil pH reader though. I have one and need to do a video on it, but it needs to be recalibrated. It's about $160.

[@NowGardening]

Good to know. I would love to know more about the BlueLab tester if you do a video. Sorry to hear your friend wasted his $$$

[@theworkingmansgarden7638]

@@NowGardening I'll post a video as soon as I can get it calibrated. 👌🏼

[@tommielourogers4327]

The seed warming mats have separate temperature controls. You plug the mats into the temperature controller and then you plug the controller into the outlet. You will find that they work perfectly fine that way.

[@cherieozga5879]

I don’t pay any attention on reviews,, they are all paid to give good reviews

[@NowGardening]

Truly seems that way

[@reginafetty6374]

I give reviews good or bad and am not paid to give them.

[@michigan160]

I bought the little tester for when you need to water your plant! BOO

[@SaphfireStorm]

This was really good. I was tempted last year to get the ph tester, but chose to get one from my local garden nursery that uses dried soil with a chem set essentially. I didn't really want to use it, as it seems like a hassle, but it did give me some insight and actually helped me with my three year old amended soil to get the right stuff in there that I was missing.

[@NowGardening]

Great choice. You saved yourself a lot of headaches. I must’ve tried 25 different samples: wet vs damp vs etc. etc. At first I remember I thought I was doing something wrong since it had such a high rating. Finally, i dug into the individual reviews and think many were fake. I noticed the product is no longer showing on Amazon, so perhaps they got feedback and removed it.

[@SaphfireStorm]

@@NowGardening wow

[@christajennings3828]

Ive had good results with the soil test kit. It gave me good results, and I amended my soil based on the readings, and it helped a lot. On the other hand, i got that same pH meter, with terrible results. I finally tried dunking it in vinegar, and the reading stayed the same. In California, the ag extension doesn't provide soil testing. There are private companies that will do it, but they are quite expensive.

[@NowGardening]

That’s good to know. Thanks for sharing your experiences, including the info about the CA ag extension office.

[@stacyclark5910]

Thanks!😊

[@NowGardening]

You're welcome! ☺️

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

Temu products sold on Amazon

[@sheilaboone8052]

Hi Valerie. I bought both ph testers you demonstrated here and got the same results! Useless! Thank you for all the helpful tips. 9:40

[@NowGardening]

Thanks Sheila. I’m sorry to hear the pH testers were equally worthless for you!

[@sheilaboone8052]

@@NowGardening oh well, live and learn. We are sending some soil samples to the provincial agricultural lab. It will be interesting to find out about the results!

[@nabilalbert3661]

Yes never BUY SEEDS from amazon My Daughter bought Me seeds from them in the USA. they send it to Me. Instead of two delivery's I received One. Not one seed germinated out of 100. I'll never never buy anything from them again.

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m sorry to hear I’m not alone with seed failures from Amazon.

[@reginafetty6374]

I haven't had that problem with seeds. It does make a difference who the vendor is.

[@cltinturkey]

With your hard clay soil, you might benefit from using a broad fork. They're fairly expensive, and I would recommend buying one in person, or looking for them at farm or estate sales with large garden areas. It's a job to use them, but they do break the soil naturally and without electricity or batteries. Look for one that's well built with solid soldering of all the parts. They're pricy, like $175 (new) or more in the U.S., but should last a lifetime. If you know someone who has one, borrow it to try before you consider purchasing.

[@NowGardening]

I have one and love it. I had actually never used a tiller until this purchase, which came about because there are places in my garden so compact that I can't get the fork into even after a rain. Needless to say, the tiller wasn't the solution I was hoping it would be!

[@calebfuller4713]

@@NowGardeningIt sounds like the sort of soil you need to start with a pick! (And plenty of stamina) You could try adding gypsum and a lot of organic matter, lay it on top, let it work a bit then attack it with a pick. TBH it sounds like it might be better and just as affordable to simply import topsoil and compost and just build it up on top though!