#Pruning Tools

[taimio]

Top Pruning Tools Every Master Gardener Needs to Know About

Welcome to our latest article exploring the essential tools every master gardener needs to have in their arsenal to ensure successful pruning projects with great results. Pruning can be a daunting task when done incorrectly, so it is important to have the right tools to make it easier and ensure ever-growing success. From stainless steel shears to hand saws, having the right pruning tools on-hand is essential for well-tended and beautiful gardens that will stand the test of time. In this article, we will examine the essential pruning tools in greater detail, so keep reading to ensure your gardener’s toolbox is always prepared for the next big task.

Discover Essential Pruning Tools for Master Gardeners

There comes a time in every gardener’s life when you realize: your plants aren’t just growing, they’re taking over. The roses are staging a coup, the hedges are plotting, and that fruit tree? It's pretending to be a skyscraper. Pruning isn’t just maintenance—it’s an art, a therapy session, and occasionally, a full-contact sport.

But let me tell you, you don’t bring a knife to a swordfight. You need the right pruning tools, or you’ll end up wrestling with branches while your neighbor chuckles over the fence. Over the years, I’ve acquired what I jokingly call my “gardener’s arsenal,” and today, I’m sharing my favorites.

The Holy Trinity of Pruning Tools

If I could only recommend three tools, these would be it. Whether you’re wrangling a wild wisteria or coaxing your tomatoes to behave, start here:

Bypass Pruners: These are your ride-or-die for small, precision cuts. I can’t tell you how many times my trusty pair has saved me from over-pruning (or under-pruning) disaster.

Pruning Saw: For thicker branches, a pruning saw is non-negotiable. I made the mistake once of attempting a big job with just pruners—imagine an arm wrestling match with a tree. It wasn’t pretty.

Loppers: Think of these as your long-arm negotiators. They’re perfect for cutting those stubborn, out-of-reach branches without a ladder (or a minor injury).

Specialized Tools for the Obsessive Gardener

Once you’ve mastered the basics, the world of pruning tools opens up like a secret garden. These are some of my favorite additions:

Hedge Shears: For straight lines and crisp edges, nothing beats a pair of hefty shears. They’re like scissors on steroids.

Pole Pruners: If you’ve ever stared wistfully at a branch 15 feet up, this tool is your savior. It’s basically a pruning saw on a stick—and it’s glorious.

Sharpening Tools: Don’t underestimate the magic of a sharp blade. A good sharpener can transform an old tool into a precision instrument.

One last thing—invest in a pair of sturdy gardening gloves. There’s no honor in finishing a pruning session with scratches that make you look like you lost a fight with a cat.

Wisdom From the Garden

“The right tool doesn’t just make the job easier—it makes you a better gardener.”

I learned this the hard way. Years ago, I spent an afternoon hacking at a stubborn shrub with dull, rickety shears. By the end, I was exhausted, the shrub looked mangled, and my ego was in tatters. A week later, I bought a good pair of pruners, and it changed everything.

Final Thoughts

Pruning is more than cutting—it’s a conversation with your plants, shaping their future while respecting their natural growth. The right tools don’t just make the process smoother; they make it joyful. Trust me, once you’ve wielded a pair of perfectly sharp bypass pruners, you’ll wonder how you ever gardened without them.

Want to go deeper into the art of pruning? Check out my related article on . You’ll find even more tips, tricks, and stories to inspire your gardening adventures.

So, go forth, fellow gardener. Your plants are waiting—scissors at the ready.

Learn more about gardening with Taim.io!

[fluentisonus]

rip jvj i would have loved to see you learn about secateurs which were apparently invented within the (broad) time frame of the book

[mechanicalang3l]

These pruning tools are so cute and and I like how they get stuck a little when fully closed and and and I just think theyre really neat

[stumblngrumbl]

while i love the pole saw i've posted before i have this other tool which is ridiculously useful for trimming trees

it's not quite five feet long, but you can use either the sliding handle on the shaft or you can yank the ball out at the end so you can actually cut things that are a full four feet away from your highest reach

and it's so light that it's easy to use

anyways

it's getting to be the time of year that i have fifty fruit trees to prune and my prized tool's strap broke (the tool is super useful but not entirely without faults; the strap connects the handle to the blade at the top of the unit so that when you pull on the handle the blade closes and snips; the strap actually goes from the handle up to the blade end and then all the way down to the ball at the end so that you can yank either of them)

the maker has replaced old tools under warranty before so i'm hopeful they'll do so again but i can't live without it so i bought a second one

[this is not an ad; i hope they honor the warranty claim but the tool is probably 10-15 years old so i won't be too put out if they don't; the last time i had a problem it was a cord that's in the head of the unit and they literally sent me an entire new tool so i just grabbed a bit of paracord and fixed the old one and gave the other one away, maybe i should've kept it lol]

[healthawarenes]

Learn about the health benefits of gardening

[kamalkafir-blog]

Fopamtri Fake Majesty Palm Plant 3 Feet Artificial Majestic Palm Faux Ravenea Rivularis in Pot for Indoor Outdoor Home Office Store, Great Housewarming Gift

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[onlinesomethingnew]

Gardening Pruning and Tools: A Comprehensive Guide & Tips

Gardening is an ancient art, a blend of science, creativity, and an innate love for nature. One of the essential practices in maintaining a vibrant garden is pruning, an artful and scientific process that involves cutting away specific parts of plants. Coupled with the right tools, pruning not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also improves plant health and productivity. In this detailed article, we'll delve into the nuances of pruning, its importance, techniques, and the indispensable tools that make it all possible.

1. What Is Pruning and Why Is It Important?

Pruning involves selectively removing dead, damaged, diseased, or unwanted parts of a plant, including branches, stems, or flowers. This process serves multiple purposes, such as encouraging healthy growth, shaping the plant, and increasing the yield of fruit or flowers. Here’s why pruning matters:

Encourages New Growth: Pruning helps plants redirect their energy to new shoots, fostering robust growth and a fuller appearance.

Prevents Diseases: By removing infected parts, pruning reduces the risk of diseases spreading to healthy sections of the plant.

Improves Air Circulation: Thinning dense areas allows air to circulate freely, reducing the risk of mold and mildew.

Increases Yield: For fruiting and flowering plants, pruning promotes larger and better-quality harvests.

Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: A well-pruned garden looks neat, harmonious, and visually pleasing.

Safety Concerns: Pruning overgrown branches that may obstruct paths or pose risks is crucial for safety.

2. Understanding the Types of Pruning

There are several pruning techniques tailored to specific goals and plant types. Let’s explore the most common methods:

a) Deadheading

Deadheading involves removing spent flowers to encourage the plant to produce more blooms. It’s especially useful for annual and perennial flowering plants like roses and marigolds.

b) Thinning

This technique entails cutting back entire branches or stems to improve light penetration and airflow. It’s commonly used for shrubs, hedges, and trees.

c) Heading Back

Heading back is the selective trimming of branch tips to shape the plant and control its size. It’s often used for hedges and ornamental plants.

d) Crown Reduction

Primarily for trees, crown reduction involves reducing the height or spread of the canopy to prevent overcrowding or damage during storms.

e) Pinching

Pinching is the removal of soft, young growth at the tips of stems. It encourages bushier growth in herbs and certain flowers.

f) Renewal Pruning

This technique involves removing old or overgrown stems to rejuvenate the plant. It’s ideal for shrubs like lilacs and hydrangeas.

g) Structural Pruning

For young trees, structural pruning shapes the tree’s framework, ensuring strong and healthy growth over the years.

3. When to Prune: The Art of Timing

Pruning at the wrong time can stress plants or disrupt their natural growth cycle. Timing depends on the plant type, growth habits, and purpose of pruning. Here are general guidelines:

Spring-Flowering Plants: Prune after flowering to avoid cutting off buds set for the next season. Examples include azaleas and forsythias.

Summer-Flowering Plants: Prune in late winter or early spring, as these plants bloom on new growth. Examples include hibiscus and butterfly bush.

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs: Late winter is ideal before new growth begins.

Evergreens: Light pruning can be done year-round, but significant cuts are best in late spring.

Fruit Trees: Prune in late winter to early spring to promote healthy fruit production.

4. Tools of the Trade: Essential Gardening Equipment for Pruning

Pruning is only as effective as the tools used. Investing in the right equipment ensures clean cuts, reduces plant damage, and makes the task more enjoyable. Here’s a breakdown of essential pruning tools:

a) Pruning Shears (Secateurs)

Ideal For: Cutting stems and branches up to ¾ inch in diameter.

Types: Bypass (scissor-like for live branches) and anvil (single blade for deadwood).

Maintenance Tips: Keep blades sharp and clean to prevent plant diseases.

b) Loppers

Ideal For: Branches up to 1.5 inches thick.

Features: Long handles for leverage, making them perfect for harder-to-reach areas.

c) Pruning Saws

Ideal For: Thicker branches that are too tough for shears or loppers.

Types: Foldable saws for compact storage or fixed-blade saws for heavy-duty tasks.

d) Hedge Shears

Ideal For: Shaping hedges and trimming thin branches.

Features: Long, straight blades for precise cuts over a large surface area.

e) Pole Pruners

Ideal For: High branches in trees and tall shrubs.

Features: Extendable handles and either a saw or pruning shear attachment.

f) Electric Pruners

Ideal For: Larger gardens with extensive pruning needs.

Benefits: Faster and less labor-intensive than manual tools.

g) Gloves and Protective Gear

Always wear gloves to protect your hands from thorns and splinters, and use goggles when cutting overhead branches.

5. Step-by-Step Guide to Effective Pruning

Follow these steps to ensure successful pruning:

Inspect the Plant: Assess the plant’s structure and identify branches that need removal.

Sterilize Your Tools: Clean tools with a disinfectant to prevent disease transmission.

Start with Dead or Diseased Parts: Remove visibly damaged branches first.

Prune for Shape and Structure: Focus on shaping the plant without over-pruning.

Consider Future Growth: Make cuts just above a node or bud that faces outward.

Clean Up Debris: Dispose of cuttings promptly to avoid pest attraction or disease spread.

Monitor Recovery: Regularly check the plant’s progress and repeat pruning as needed.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can make mistakes. Here are some pitfalls to steer clear of:

Over-Pruning: Removing too much foliage can stress plants and hinder growth.

Improper Cuts: Jagged cuts can invite pests and diseases. Always use sharp tools.

Pruning at the Wrong Time: Research your plant's growth cycle to prune at the ideal time.

Neglecting Tool Maintenance: Dirty or dull tools can harm plants and reduce efficiency.

7. Sustainable Pruning Practices

Gardening is inherently an act of nurturing nature. Adopting sustainable practices ensures that your garden thrives harmoniously with the environment. Here are some tips:

Composting Prunings: Turn plant cuttings into nutrient-rich compost.

Avoid Chemicals: Use natural remedies to protect freshly pruned plants from pests.

Water Wisely: Provide adequate water to help plants recover after pruning.

Respect Wildlife: Check for bird nests or animal habitats before pruning trees and shrubs.

8. Pruning and Tools for Specific Gardens

a) Fruit Gardens

Focus on pruning to maximize fruit production and remove old, non-productive wood.

b) Ornamental Gardens

Prioritize aesthetic pruning to create visually appealing shapes and structures.

c) Vegetable Gardens

Prune to promote air circulation and prevent diseases like mildew and blight.

d) Urban Gardens

Compact spaces benefit from tools like compact pruners and creative pruning to shape plants into neat forms.

Conclusion

Pruning is a blend of artistry and horticultural science, essential for a thriving and picturesque garden. With the right tools and techniques, this practice becomes a gratifying part of the gardening journey. Whether you're shaping a prized rose bush or ensuring your fruit trees yield bountiful harvests, pruning paves the way for growth, beauty, and sustainability.

As you refine your pruning skills and curate your collection of tools, remember that a little effort and knowledge go a long way. Happy gardening! 🌱

[tataagrico1]

Preparing Your Garden for Winter with a Bill Hook - Tata Agrico

Winter is almost here. There’s much to do in the garden and you don’t even need a dozen tools for it! Read to know how a bill hook is the best tool to clean up your garden

Visit at: https://www.tataagrico.com/blog-post/preparing-your-garden-for-winter-with-a-bill-hook-essential-tips-and-techniques/

[hectareinnovative]

Stay safe and grounded – Prune those high branches with ease using our Long Reach Pruner. || Hectare India Our Long Reach Pruner is designed for efficient and safe pruning of high branches, allowing you to cut with precision without the need for ladders Buy now - https://www.hectare.in/product/telescopic-cut-and-hold-fruit-picker-pruner-and-saw/

[burningcatcrusade]

Revolutionize Your Garden with SUCA’s Cutting-Edge Tools

SUCA Tool, a brand under Zhejiang Guyuehu Industry and Trade Co. Ltd, stands at the forefront of this green revolution with its innovative electric garden tools. Their electric pruning shears are a testament to their commitment to quality and performance. Forged from SK5 high carbon steel, these shears promise sharp, clean cuts, ensuring your plants’ health and your garden’s beauty.

The convenience of SUCA’s electric tools doesn’t end with pruning. Their electric chainsaws and leaf blowers redefine ease of use with their cordless design and ergonomic handles, making garden maintenance less of a chore and more of a pleasure. Even the most labor-intensive tasks, like tying plants or grafting, are simplified with SUCA’s electric plant tying machines and grafting tools.

With over 40 patents, ISO9001 certification, and adherence to CE and ROHS standards, SUCA Tool is a mark of trust and innovation. Whether you’re a professional landscaper or a home gardening enthusiast, SUCA’s electric garden tools are designed to elevate your gardening experience. Embrace the future of gardening with SUCA – where technology meets nature.

Get more information, please visit https://www.sucatool.com/

###

[bllushbunniie]

harry is just the perfect man, actually uses his brain n is just overall irresistible ♡ both reader n harry are two cuties in luuvvv

fem reader, 18+, gardening, showering, and a boyfriend wearing sweatpants ie joggers- ur gonna love this one, I hope!!!

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Oh now this was unfair.

Strike one happened this morning, you woke up to an empty bed- that one you could forgive; he often left you wrapped in the creamy soft duvet only to then bring you breakfast. But after ten minutes of sleepy sighs and rolling around trying to place yourself in a vaguely seductive position, he still didn’t turn up!

So, much to your dismay, you got yourself up, eager to find out where he could possibly be hiding.

‘Harry?’

Just as you were about to make your way downstairs, an image of your boyfriend found your peripherals. Your head shot around in surprise.

‘What are you doing, honey?’ you shouted as you opened up the small window overlooking your garden, smile on your face. You knew exactly what he was doing.

Last night, you had finished around a week’s work of gardening research. You were determined to have a flourishing haven, full of health blooms, happy plants and floral scented air. So you collected your tools, plant food and stored your brain with all the necessary information on how to prune, deadhead, and water.

Harry was constantly buying you bunches of flowers to decorate your shared home. Flowers which were already flourishing- florists who took the time to arrange the pink roses amongst the mini hydrangeas, with speckles of alstroemeria. Similarly, you loved when he bought you flowers that arrived in bud, taking a few days to blossom into their most pretty form. But you had always talked about making your own arrangements, from flowers that you had grown- maybe even gifting a few bunches to his Mum because you knew how much she always enjoyed flowers.

You had relayed all of your thoughts to Harry. He listened intently, relishing in the fact his girl was finding yet another passion and he was just so excited to see the finished result.

‘Baby, if you’re going to have the garden of your dreams, you best bet I’m going to help!’ he shouted back up you, garden sheers in on hand, other hand holding a branch full of wilted roses.

‘C’mon love, come and join me!—- oh and keep those cute pajamas on, yeah?’ he flirted.

He wasn’t a passive listener, oh no, he made sure to store all of the information from your rambles and use them accordingly.

He was good like that.

So good.

Made you feel funny.

~Butterflies in your tummy~ kinda funny.

You’re not sure he even knows how much it gets to you. How he takes everything you say into account and acts upon it without having to be prompted to. He’s naturally sweet by nature, but extra extra sweet on you. It’s why you’ll probably end up kissing him extra hard later on, give him anything he asks for.

♡

Strike two happened later on in the day. Not as big of a gesture but greatly appreciated nonetheless.

After a morning filled with falling petals and fleeting kisses, both of you decided to take a quick shower together.

‘Come here lovely girl. As much as I love those cute little pajamas, I think I need to get them off you, don’t you think?’ he teased, his hands already tracing the end of your pink tank top.

‘Um, I don’t think so mister!’ giggling as you shooed his hands away, quickly shuffling away to grab the hair mask you were so eager to use- placing it on the side of the bath to make sure everything was in arms reach whilst you showered.

‘Oh, I see, you’re being cruel, that’s it isn’t it, you want to hear me beg? Because you know I will, honey.’ but before he can turn around, he feels two delicate hands sneak around his middle.

He breathes out deeply through his nose as she squeezes around his middle, pressing herself up against his back.

‘Hush, silly boy.’ you laughed, placing the side of your head up against his back, rubbing your face slightly up against the cotton of his t-shirt. ‘I just wanted to make sure I’ve got everything. Besides, I wanted to do… this’, and with that, you slid your hand down towards the bottom of his top, lifting it slightly so you could get your hands on this skin just above his pyjamas bottoms. This is where your pretty, glittery nails came in handy.

Tracing along that line with your nails, a slight scratch. You know exactly how to make him shiver.

You found it a little amusing but mostly sexy how such a big, strong man like himself could be reduced to sighs and shivers just by the feeling of your perfectly manicured fingernails.

Your hands finding the end of his t-shirt now to take it over his head, he had to help of course, you were a little too small to pull it over his head.

‘You’re going to kill me, y’know’ he says, turning around in your arms, leaning forward to gift a little kiss on the end of your nose.

‘I know’ you beamed back, giving him a silly, toothy grin.

‘Right, enough of this little game you’re playing’, and with that, he dragged your top over your head followed by grabbing your hips to spin you around to pull your bottoms down too.

Disoriented with his quick movements, a little squeal leaves you when you feel his lips kiss your right bum cheek.

‘Harry!!!’

‘Got a cute little bum haven’t you, darling?’, casually stating as he rises to his feet, ushering you into to shower first. Following right behind you, eager to get you covered in warm water droplets.

You both took great pleasure in lathering the other in sweet smelling bubbles and seeing it rinse off both of your bodies.

You were sure you had the better end of the deal though, getting to see the soap run all the way from his hair, through the middle of his chest to somewhere much naughtier.

He would beg to differ however. He was utterly in love with everything about you. What could be better than seeing your skin all wet, hard nipples peaking through the bubbles that are coating your breasts? Yeah, he wins.

‘Let me give you a little head massage, yeah?’, lathering a handful of the lilac scented hair mask over the ends of your hair. He didn’t give you time to respond, he knew you’d love a massage, you loved any sort of touch he gave you.

‘I want to be partly responsible for how pretty your hair looks later on’, he croons, letting his fingers swirl against your scalp.

God, he was good. First it was him gardening and now he’s giving you an impromptu massage. It doesn’t help he accompanies each perfect action with teasing phrases to rile you up in just the right way.

♡

You ought to have predicted strike three really. But having it catch you by surprise made it even better.

How dare he just stand there, sipping on a cup of tea, light gray joggers hanging low on his hips.

He managed to evade you after you finished your shower. Both using your own separate dressing rooms to put on loungewear as you both had the afternoon free- planning on using that time to spend the time together, unbothered by the outside world.

Was he doing this on purpose?

You don’t suppose it matters really. He’s in for it now.

You march right over to him, grabbing his cup of tea. He allowed you to lift it from his hand and place it on the counter. A slight smirk on his lips, he had thought this might happen. You were such a little tease during your shower- rubbing him all over, making a little show of rinsing yourself off.

Lacing your fingers together, you pulled him from the kitchen, letting him trail behind you.

‘Sit’ you demanded as you reached your living room, guiding him towards the sofa.

He, of course, did as he was told.

He met your eyes, reaching his hand out, pulling your standing body in between his spread legs. Other hand pressing into the curve of your back, so his lips could meet your clothed lower stomach.

‘Not fair, Harry’, you pouted, a sigh leaving your lips, head falling back, your hands weaving their way through the damp strands of his freshly-washed hair.

‘What’s not fair, pretty girl?’ he says, muted by continuing kisses.

‘You’re going to make me melt’ you whined, head rolling forward, your hands pulling on his hair to tilt his head back.

‘Melt? Well we wouldn’t want that would we?

‘Why not?’ you raised your eyebrow

‘Well, then we couldn’t do this could we?’

He manoeuvred you with cocky confidence, allowing you to fall on top of him, your breasts pressing so close to his face, thighs spreading over his, pressing you as close as he possibly can.

‘I think my girl needs to be taken care of, doesn’t she? Too pretty for your own good.’ pushing your hair away from your shoulders, mouth meeting the top of your clothed breast, you couldn’t help but give a slight wiggle to your hips.

‘You know, I was planning to be the one in charge right now’ you gasped.

‘You still can be baby, just tell me what you want, I’ll give you anything.’

♡.

[spurbleu]

ghost!simon x reader.

cute little thing, weren’t you.

house renovator, too-big armor of your fathers leather belts and iron tools sits on your hips, gloves hiding the dirt under your nails. grease grows from your scalp and sits on your neck, thawing into your shirt collar with a scent that reminded simon of what it was like to be living.

laboring.

and you work tirelessly, picking up exactly where your old man had left it. peeling the floral wallpaper to reveal yellowing tobacco and its implied wallowings. scrubbing the crevices even simon didn’t know existed- and he haunts it.

wherever you step, a blanket of bleach and rubber follows you. eventually your mortal bones guide you to stiff mattress respite- until morning claws at your ankles and pulls you back to your unofficial labor.

and simon can’t help but be fascinated.

observing as you prune the wood floors like feathers, deep within a self inflicted madness of monotony. he can’t even be upset that you’re tearing apart his home when you look so agonizingly alive doing it. as if destruction gave you the foundation to breath, and rebuilding was your exhale.

he hates to admit it, but he cannot lie to anyone but himself if he says he hasn’t grown fond of the little thing meddling with his backyard.

he had plans to spook you months ago, but maybe he’ll let you stay a little longer- if only to protect you from the creaky floor boards at night.

[atlaculture]

I love reading your posts! They're very informative.

I don't know if you've answered this yet, but what sort of eating utensils would they use in each of the four nations and what would their dishes be made of?

Cultural Practices: Food Utensils - Water Tribe

Within ATLA, we're shown that the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom meals are eaten with chopsticks while traditional Water Tribe feasts are eaten with your hands. We never see a proper Air Nomad meal depicted in the original series, but Korra shows that Air Temple Island meals use chopsticks so I'm assuming that's a long-held tradition within Aang's culture. We also see spoons used for Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom soups/stews so I'm assuming this is probably the norm in their world.

As for what their flatware and dishware would be made from, I'm going to be doing a post for each nation.

For this post, we're covering the Water Tribe. There are a few different materials that flatware and dishware can be made of in the poles: Wood, bone, stone, clay, and ice.

Wood

Cookware and utensils made from driftwood are very common in the Water Tribes. The advantages of wood are that it's readily available, easy to work with, and creates relatively lightweight tools. The drawbacks are that it's less durable and receptive to rot. The Water Tribe's wooden tools come in two different styles: Carved and Bentwood. Carved tools are created through whittling down the wood and bentwood tools are the results of using steam to bend the wood into the desired shape. Since wooden cookware is flammable, stone boiling is the norm; this is when stones are heated and placed directly into a pot of water for boiling or steaming purposes. Pictured above are two examples of Arctic wooden dishware: The tall-rimmed one is a 19th-century Yupik bentwood bowl and the shallower bowl is a 19th-century Yupik carved bowl.

Bone

The second most common material in the Arctic for flatware is bone. As you can imagine, a culture oriented around hunting means their society has a surplus of different animal bones, from walrus tusk ivory to velvety moose antlers. Due to the narrowness of most animal bones, they're typically carved into eating utensils like spoons and chopsticks. While chopsticks aren't traditional to the Water Tribe, they were popularized after the 100-Year War with the invention of seaweed noodles. Walrus ivory flatware also fetches a high price in foreign markets. Pictured above: Handcrafted ivory Inuit spoons.

Stone

Stone is another potential material for cookware and utensils. Unlike wood, it's much more durable and retains heat well, meaning it can be used directly over a fire. The drawbacks are that it's very heavy and difficult to carve into something useful. As such, stone cookware and utensils are rarer than wood & ivory and have a "manly" connotation amongst the Water Tribes. Sokka and Katara eat stewed sea prunes using what appear to be stone bowls and spoons owned by Bato, for example. Stone has also traditionally been used by Inuit peoples to make oil lamps for cooking and heating their homes. The most common stone used would be soapstone, which conducts heat well, although slate would probably be good for plates. Picture above: An Inuit soapstone lamp.

Clay

Compared to the above materials, clay is the rarest type of dishware in the Water Tribes. For one, in the absence of a very skilled waterbender, clay can only be be dug up in the summer, when the snow is low and the ground is soft. Secondly, the ease with which they can crack makes them even more fragile than wood. However, unlike wood, clay cookware can actually be heated directly over a fire. Their ability to cook food with a better texture and richer flavor makes them highly coveted and a bit of a status symbol in the Water Tribe. Pictured above: ~1000 year old Bering Strait clay bowl and ~1700 year old Thule (ancestor to Inuit people) bowl.

Ice

Flatware and dishware made of ice actually has a rather poor reputation within the Water Tribe. Given that ice-based utensils are cold, fragile, and prone to "stickiness" when they make contact with mouths and moist food, it's an understandable reputation. However, their novelty and crystalline appearance makes them very popular with non-Water Tribers. As such, creating elaborate cups and bowls of ice is common hospitality for waterbenders looking to impress guests from other nations. Picture above: An ice bowl.

[quokkaholic]

Yardwork Makes You Thirsty l.m

Warnings/Tags: Suggestive fluff, cussing, kissing, sweat, established relationship

Synopsis: Minho forces you to do grueling yardwork, but the view makes it all worth it. title subject to change

❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

Minho is harsh in his morning wake up strategy, coldly demanding you rise repeatedly while menacingly looming over your barely conscious body roiling under the covers. Despite his gruff tone, he can't conceal the amusement on his face that you get glimpses of on every rotation. He’s already fully dressed in his yard work clothes consisting of an old t-shirt and shorts topped off with a button up shirt and wide brimmed hat for sun protection. You try to whine for a few more minutes of sleep, but your man is having none of it, insisting that you need to get outside before it becomes too hot. Once he is sure you are awake enough that you won’t sneakily crawl back into bed when he leaves the room, he commands you to put on even more sunscreen before heading to the garage. Begrudgingly you dress in clothes you won't mind getting filthy and lather yourself with sunblock, because knowing Minho, he will feel for the sticky residue and even sniff for the lingering scent of sunscreen to ensure that you heeded his demand. 

You find Minho dutifully gathering the yard tools and equipment. He greets you with a sweet kiss to the forehead endeared to your grumpy and tired expression before giving you a tight squeeze to make up for your merciless wakeup but also butter you up before shoving gardening gloves and a trowel assigning you to weeding the flowerbed. 

Despite it being early in the day, the soon to be summer sun is unforgiving, beating down on your covered head and shoulders as you work to complete Master Gardener Mino’s orders. Your knees and back are beginning to ache, and your fingers are starting to cramp. Why the hell did you guys make so many flower beds? Who needs this many flowers? Sure they are absolutely stunning in full bloom. Sure, Minho put in so much effort to plant not only your favorites but also took into account the seasonality of the flowers to ensure you had blooms all year. Sure he picks and arranges bouquets every week. Sure, you absolutely cherished them and him, but goddamn, right now all you can think is how much work they require.

You’re fully brooding and broiling in the sun, but suddenly, all the complaints fade to nothing. All the discomfort becomes worth it when you see him. Minho’s deathly focused on pruning the bushes with a face so smoldering and etched in concentration it makes your heart quake. There is something so sexy about a passionate and capable man, so driven to keep your home beautiful for your little family. It also helps that he is already earth shatteringly handsome. Lost in his heavenly gaze, you don't even realize he’s clocked your gawking until your roaming eyes lock with his. Glaring squinted eyes send a judging look filling you with shame,

“Get back to work!” he shouts so fervently you’d think he’s a seasoned drill sergeant.

“Yessir!” you yell back with a straightened posture and a salute earning an eye roll so dramatic you almost missed the slightly raised corner of his lips. 

“God forbid your spouse finds you sexy,” you mumble under your breath, getting nothing but a grumbly chuckle in response. You continue the arduous labor huffing and puffing when Minho is in ear shot earning barked orders and comments on your softness and lax work ethic like some grouchy old man. When he leaves the area to start mowing, you make quick work of finishing the weeding. It really wasn’t that bad, but you can't help but annoy him, it's just too fun to push his buttons, and you know he feels the same for you.

You start on the watering, filling the window boxes and decorative pots scattered around the property landing on the porch where you’ve created a faux jungle with all of the plants you have begged Minho for almost every time you take him to the farmers market or plant nursery. They not only cover every free surface but hang in groups from the ceiling creating the perfect lush sanctuary to share your peaceful morning coffees or late night chats about everything and nothing. 

You're in the middle of quenching a slightly crispy shrub when Minho parks the mower right in of the porch, the rumbling engine lulling as he pulls off his hat and runs his finger through his damp hair perfectly pushing it back out of his face, but he takes his time, tilting his head back and slowly raking the fingers through the dark hair making you wish those were your hands. You drink in the view swearing that he’s flexing, muscles straining against the sleeves of his sun shirt. Like he was reading your mind, Minho gracefully strips off his outer layer, his honey skin literally glistening in the sunlight. The jolting sensation of frigid water soaking into your sneakers breaks you from your thirsting trance spewing a string of expletives.

You’ve inundated the terracotta pot washing out the top layer of soil and partially flooding the porch. Panicking, you toss the hose trying to avoid soaking the rug but the pressure in the host causes it to flail mid air and drench you as well as all the furniture. It spins and flings back and forth as you try and fail to catch it like its a wily snake. Finally it falls with the nozzle up showering the rest of the porch. Frantic, you run to shut it off to the tune of Minho’s evil and mocking laughter and the mower starting back up.

After brushing off the teasing and cleaning your mess to the best of your ability, you finally get to start on your final task, weed eating. You grab the weed eater out of the garage along with the batteries and string. When the set up is all in order, you start up the machine and begin trimming the grass along the edges of the flowerbeds and around bushes, being sure to hit all the places the big mower couldn't reach. This is actual hard work, the weed picking earlier was nothing compared to this. With the blazing sun now high in the sky, you can feel the beads of sweat rolling down your sweltering skin as your arms shake with the power of the device.

While it is taxing, it's beyond satisfying putting the finishing touches on your stunning yard that you and Minho work so hard to maintain, not because you can't afford to hire someone to do it but because he values hard work and the simple pleasures of getting to relish in the fruits of his labor. That mindset has rubbed off on you. You don’t mind as when you feel that sense of accomplishment you not only feel good about yourself but it's like a little piece of Minho is with you; you can hear his voice in your head complimenting your hard work and determination. The heartwarming thought of the lovely picnics and pool parties you will inevitably share in this same yard encourages you to push through the aching of your muscles as your hover the trimmer over the green stalks. 

You're just about done when the engine cuts off, but the battery didn't die like you initially assumed. When a strong set of arms wrap around your mid section pulling you into his strong chest, you know Minho had pressed the kill switch. For a moment, you believe he is messing with you again, but you render his intentions when his tender lips kiss along your shoulder undoubtedly tasting your salty skin. 

“Babe–” you start trying to stop him. You're so close to finishing this exhausting task. You just want to get it over with, but his kisses work up your neck making your tired, boiled brain go all fuzzy. He stops only briefly to whisper,

“You look so good, jagi. Working so hard for me, for us,” against the shell of your ear before using his hand lightly on your chin to guide your mouth to his enrapturing you in a hungry kiss sending a warm buzz through your already impossibly warm body. When the kiss beings to heat, you have a moment of clarity and pull away,

“It’s too hot for this,” you mumble against him.

“That’s what I said. You’re so hot, Baby” twisting your words, lips hovering only millimeters from yours. He’s trying to distract and coax you, wanting you to bend to his desire for you.

“I am hot and sweaty and gross–” you manage to reestablish your original meaning and therefore pause your makeout until you're finished weed eating, but he stubbornly pushes his lips back to yours to stop you talking. You know this trick and only fall for it half the time.

“But i'm so close to–”

“I'll finish this for you later. Come on, let's go shower,” He practically commands, pulling the power tool from your grasp, before you can contest, to set it back in the garage while you pick up the other miscellaneous tools and supplies you have used throughout the day. While maybe you won't get the fulfillment of completing the yardwork, you will be more than satisfied.

❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

pic creds x x x

A.N- Hate doing my yardwork, so this is how i cope. lowkey thinking about going on hiatus bc i just have a lot going on rn. That being said I will be on vacation next time im supposed to post, so that may or may not happen. I am going to attempt to write fanfic in the airport lol

-mo 🍃

Masterlist

[derinthescarletpescatarian]

Frame is up. Now I'm just waiting on some new pruning tools to cut back that fuckbastard tree, then I can hunt down my U nails (I have them, I just don't know where they are) and start the absolutely horrible task of putting the chicken wire on.

[bumblequinn]

hi @sourpatchsquids! thank you for your question.

as an artist with ADHD, i know this struggle very well. unfortunately offering advice on this kind of thing can be tricky, because what works for me may not work for you (and vice versa!). nonetheless, i can try; take whatever works for you, forget the rest, or reshape any part of it as you see fit. :)

but before i offer any actual tools, i have one caveat. i want you to take a moment to reflect and consider if you should be:

changing expectations

the timing of this question seems fated, because just the other day i had a therapy session wherein i expressed my grief and frustration over struggling to work lately due to my seasonal depression. it's not fair that i'm struggling just because it got a little darker outside! i just want the spark i had in the summer! i was so much more consistent!

my therapist's response: nothing about human beings is consistent. we get sick, we get tired, we get hungry and thirsty (and thirsty) and sad and lonely and restless and stressed and overwhelmed. this all gets amplified for folks who are atypical in some way or another.

when my therapist compared our seasonal cycles to those of plants and other animals, who wilt and slow down and hibernate, i protested aloud that i wanted to be a perennial instead. at this she said: even perennials change with the seasons. rose bushes have to be pruned, sometimes down to half their height! it was a dose of perspective i didn't particularly want, but really needed.

so when you're struggling to work through executive dysfunction, burnout, or brain fog, it can help to first check in with yourself about a few things. what do you have the capacity for right now? do you need any accommodation? and if so, what changes you might make to accommodate yourself?

with practice and self reflection, i've learned a handful of specific routines that help me when i'm struggling with creative work, which i'll detail next. note that while your question is specifically about music and i am specifically a musician, i believe that all of these suggestions can apply to most any form of digital creative work.

with that in mind:

#1: work slower

when i'm at the top of my game, i can get a LOT done in a day. but when i'm depressed, fatigued, or distracted, i just can't go full steam. sometimes i'll try to convince myself that i can if i just push harder, but what actually ends up happening is that i'm just fiddling with settings and going in circles rather than moving forward.

instead of that, when i want to work a lot but can't, i try to work slow. how slow? however slow i need to. take four hours to figure out the melody for a single verse. take all day to figure out that drum groove. yeah, i take a lot of breaks in between. who says i have to be my Absolute Most Productive Every Day Or Else? that's the puritan work ethic talking. kill it. be kind to yourself.

i'm reminded of advice i once read about some super successful and prolific author (gaiman? king? pratchett?) who said they wrote only four hundred words every weekday. that's already less than the word count of this post, and i'm only—[travels into the future to check my final word count]... 22.8% of the way through writing it!

now, i don't think i could function that way, because ADHD means some days i'm hyperfocused like crazy, and other days i just have no steam at all (more on that in #4-6). but it seems to me that if even someone highly respected in their profession can achieve what they have with only a little bit of work on a regular basis, maybe i don't have to punish myself for not pumping out a finished work every single week.

doing less work per day means you're much less likely to burn out, which does a lot for working more consistently. if that consistency still doesn't look like a five-day work week, that's okay! as long as it helps you work even a little more often when you want to, it's something worth doing.

however, if you're still feeling truly stuck, all hope isn't lost. you can still try:

#2: switch projects

sometimes the reason i'm moving slow is because of a bad brain day, but sometimes the reason is that i just cannot muster the motivation to do the specific task i'm trying to do right now. ADHD is fueled by novelty and interest, and if i'm not interested in what i'm doing, or it's feeling stale, that's a sign that i need to switch gears.

this is why first it's helpful for me to have more than one project going at a time. this might mean completely unrelated works, or it might just mean related tracks as with the music for a game like SLARPG or susan taxpayer.

the idea here is not to start a dozen different projects and bounce around them like i'm playing whac-a-mole—though i have done that. (i don't recommend it.) the idea here is to have a manageable number of different projects i can be working on so that if i get bored or stuck on something, i have fallback options.

what that number of projects is depends entirely on the week. maybe right now it's two, maybe another time it's three. i would probably be getting carried away if i tried more than that, but that's just my own limit. maybe yours is different. that's something for you to think about.

but it doesn't have to stop there.

#3: switch focus

maybe there is this one project that i just HAVE to work on, but the task i'm trying to do at this stage just isn't coming to me. okay, well, why don't i try working on a different task?

let's say i can't figure out what i want to do with the melody in one part of the song:

what if i try jumping ahead to a different part of the melody? ...no, i'm stumped on melodies today. okay, how about working on the drums instead? ...hmm no, i think i'm just completely tapped out on writing parts right now. alright, what if i organized my tracks, making sure they're all grouped and named in a way that i can work with easily? what if i did a rough volume balance for the mix?

and so on. if that's not enough to shake the off stuckness, i might consider: what can i do to make this project more interesting to me?

what happens if i try using an instrument or effect that i almost never reach for? what if i try sampling something obscure? what if i bang out the drums using my midi keyboard instead of drawing it in on the piano roll?

any approach that breaks me out of my usual habits is bound to get that feeling of novelty and fun back when i need it.

or maybe i can't do any of that right now, and so i take the time to answer a question from a fellow musician instead. i consider that part of my work, too, in a broader sense. check in with yourself and figure out what you can do right now. the rest will still be there later.

but okay, let's say you try switching gears, and switching again, and again, and nothing is moving. you try new approaches, but that wall of awful is insurmountable in this moment. it happens! the next thing you might try is:

#4: learn something new

when you aren't able to make progress on your projects, you can still make progress on your knowledge and craft. i often find this stokes a flame of inspiration in me where there wasn't one before. and even when it doesn't, it still gets my brain out of that feeling of stuckness and dread and into one of thought and action. learning also benefits in the long term because it adds to the well of knowledge from which you draw for all your future works.

for all the awfulness that exists on the internet, it remains an absolute treasure trove of teaching. there's an endless ocean of videos, blog posts, and articles from which you might learn something about your craft. (and if you sail the seven seas, plenty of book PDFs as well. 🦜🏴‍☠️)

it's true that the quality and depth of information out there can vary wildly, but in my experience most resources get at least some things right. and the more you research, practice, and figure out what works for you, the better you will learn to differentiate between the advice worth keeping, and the advice to forget. (that goes for all of what i'm saying here, too!)

that said, since our shared focus is music, a few resources i would highly recommend are:

music theory and composition music matters, 12tone, charles cornell, music with myles, 8-bit music theory, and this introduction by andrew huang

mixing and production dan worrall (especially this series for fabfilter), kush after hours, red means recording, andrew huang, alice yalcin efe, in the mix

general inspiration nahre sol, ben levin, david hilowitz, game score fanfare, posy, jerobeam fenderson, open reel ensemble, and ELECTRONICOS FANTASTICOS!

(if any readers have their own helpful resources for creating music or any other media, feel free to share in the replies & reblogs! 💓)

of course, on an especially bad day, it might be a challenge to seek out information, let alone retain it. that can feel pretty bad, but remember: be kind to yourself. the next thing you might consider trying is:

#5: consume art you love

not just music. books. shows. movies. games. illustration. animation. whatever moves and inspires you.

but do it intentionally. don't just pull up some random thing the algorithm suggested! check in with yourself about what you want (or are able) to engage with right now. choose accordingly. if you get a little way into it and realize it's not scratching that itch, hit the bricks. check in with yourself again. wash, rinse, repeat, until you find whatever it is that speaks to you right now.

and do it actively, if you can. don't just let it go in one eye and out the other! really pay attention to the work. what do you like about it? what are its themes and motifs? what makes it work so well? what are its flaws, and how much do they matter? what might you do differently? you can write notes as you do this if it helps, but even simply noticing and thinking goes a long way.

what you don't want to do is come at this with a lens of shame or envy. you're not here just to say to yourself, "ugh, if only i could do THAT." it's okay if it happens. use that thought as a springboard for curiosity: "well okay, how DID they do that? do i have the resources for it? if so, how could i apply that to my own work? if not, how can i adapt it, or what do i need to learn?" keep your mind open and approach the work with a sense of wonder.

as a creative person, it's very easy to think, "i should be making something right now, not watching a movie!" but that thought forgets something vital: your art is a response in a conversation. of course the "language" you use is your own, and maybe if you're lucky you'll invent a new word. but most of the words you use have been around long before you were born. you're just one voice in a dialogue that spans continents and generations, and that's okay. it's even the whole point.

none of us is an island. we are profoundly social animals. just as we can't live without eating, we can't make without learning. so half of making art is consuming it. consider this part of the process as well.

and finally,

#6: rest, and live your life

let's say you're in really dire straits. you've tried working slower. you tried changing focus, you tried changing projects. you want to take in new information or actively engage with your favorite art, but you're not in the headspace for it. what now?

take a nap. take a walk. take a shower. eat a nice meal, or an okay one. talk to a friend. maybe even do that chore you've been putting off (you know the one).

it's human to always crave making, but you're not a machine—and even if you were, machines need regular maintenance, too! you wouldn't drive a car that's completely out of gas, and you won't do yourself any favors treating your body that way either.

i know that when you take a break it feels as though you're not accomplishing anything, but you are: you're taking care of your animal self. and while you do that, your creative brain doesn't stop working! much like windows, it has countless background processes running at any given moment, with inscrutable names like "cbdhsvc_692da" or "Microsoft Edge Update Service." it's true, i checked.

when you're stuck on a project and you step away to rest, your brain is still chipping away at your ideas unconsciously. i like to tell people, "it's percolating." much like waiting for a pot of water to boil, that idea is still heating up, even when you take a step away. just be sure to check in on it once in a while. the time will pass, and it'll be boiling again before long. :)

before i go, i'll leave you with one last thing to keep in mind as you try all of these strategies:

be kind to yourself.

being human is just about one of the hardest things you can do. let alone being a human trying to survive capitalism while living with disabilities! the last thing you need on top of that is to overwork yourself, talk to yourself negatively, or treat yourself harshly. there are plenty of other people in the world who do that to you—don't be one of them.

i'm not saying that you shouldn't try to challenge yourself, to test your limits and go above and beyond your ambitions, if that's what you want to do. just remember that hard work and self compassion are not mutually exclusive. so be careful not to bully yourself. take pride in the progress you make, even when it seems small. encourage yourself like you would a friend who's going through a hard time. and when you challenge yourself, be your own cheerleader.

i hope you find this advice helpful! remember, this is just what helps me, so don't feel like you have to follow any of it exactly. maybe taking time to learn new information helps break you out of your rut more than working slowly, so you reach for that tool first. maybe having multiple projects going at once is too distracting for you, so you prefer to stick to one at a time. whatever your needs are, feel free to alter and adapt these ideas to fit you.

thank you for reading, and i wish you the best of luck in your creating.

with care, bee 🐦