The Garden Stamp–New Frederick County Company Makes Gardening More Accessible
Frederick, MD (PRWEB) October 31, 2013 -- The Garden Stamp allows for even, consistently spaced sewing of seeds in raised beds, containers and square-foot plots.
The new, sleekly designed tool — a square foot of 25 arranged pegs with a generous handle — was invented just last January by Jenn Rinaldi, and started shipping to customers in May. Rinaldi created the Garden Stamp out of physical necessity.
“I was starting to plan my garden for the year, and wanted to make the best use of space,” Rinaldi said, from Frederick, Maryland, where the company is based. “My hands were so stiff and shaky. I needed this tool. It’s a lot easier to press down than to scoop out.”
Rinaldi has had arthritis since she was a teen, something that has interfered with her favorite hobby- veggie gardening. Rinaldi wanted the Garden Stamp to be sturdy, something that could be dropped, left out in the rain, and found easily in the dirt. No moving parts or accessories to lose. No sharp edges. After a week of assembling wooden prototypes she decided to have them manufactured in bright yellow milk crate plastic.
“It’s a solid, injection molded tool with a little bit of weight to it,” Rinaldi said, of the 2.2 lb. Garden Stamp. “It works for folks like myself, who have trouble with their hands, but it’s also a great fit for school, senior center and community gardens.”
The Garden Stamp’s Easy Dot Planting Guide – included with each Stamp - features spacing according to species in a simple color-coded format. The organized placement of seeds has allowed gardeners to plant color patterns of leafy salad greens and other vibrant veggies. Rinaldi planted an American flag ahead of the 4th of July. You even decorate the tool itself. Rinaldi recommends decoupage with photos or scrapbooking papers for personalized gifts.
Since launching at the New York Horticultural Society’s Urban Agriculture Conference in May 2013, the Garden Stamp has made its way into home gardens, schools and community gardens across the U.S., including DC’s Capitol Area Food Bank.
Garden Stamps are sold via A.M. Leonard’s “Gardener’s Edge” catalog and online at Amazon. DC area customers can find Garden Stamps for sale at En Masse Flowers, 141 N. Market St., Frederick, MD.
Stop plotting. Start planting!
Jenn Renaldi, The Garden Stamp, http://www.gardenstamp.com, 301-676-2622, [email protected]
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