The Gardener's Hollow Leg

1442 A Walnut Street #59
Berkeley, CA 94709
Phone 510.735.6165



MN Good Age - September, 2011  



HOT STUFF / Great Gadgets
by Kathleen Stoehr


Phoenix Home and Garden - August, 2011  



August Picks for the Gardener
Author:
Nancy Erdmann
Issue: August, 2011, Page 10




The American Gardener, Green Garage - July/Aug 2011  

The American Gardener, July/August 2011

The News Journal - July 20, 2011  

The Record Herald News - June 18, 2011  

Natural Home and Garden - June 15, 2011  

Chicago Tribune - May 11, 2011  

Chicago Tribune
May 11, 2011




The Gardeners Hollow Leg

This handy product has a funny name, but it's a perfect description for the open-top polyester sack that is worn at your side on a belt while you work in the garden, keeping your hands free. Clippings and debris collect inside as you prune, so there's no bending over to pick everything up later. The small loop on the bottom makes it easy to tip everything into the compost pile when the job is done. A Velcro-closed pocket holds a cell phone or other small gardening essential. The Gardeners Hollow Leg is made from recycled polyester. Available online at thegardenershollowleg.com, and at Ace Hardware; $29.99.

The News Journal - April 22, 2011  
The News Journal
April 22, 2011


The Gardener’s Hollow Leg

Billed as “the pruner’s perfect companion,” this recycled fabric sack can be worn while weeding, cleaning or picking fruit. No need to lug a trash can or pile up clippings. Keeps hands free. $29.95; www.thegardenershollowleg.com.



OregonLive.com - March 12, 2011  

Daily home & garden tip: Use the right ladder for pruning or harvesting
Published: Saturday, March 12, 2011, 5:24 AM
ladder4.JPG
Using the right ladder is important, especially in the garden. A four-legged folding ladder -- the kind you might use inside the house -- should never be used on soft or uneven ground. And muddy boots make wooden rungs wet and slippery.

The kind of ladder for pruning or harvesting is the orchard ladder, a three-legged type that is stable on soft, uneven ground if properly set. They let you work high and close on a stable platform.

When purchasing an orchard ladder, select one in aluminum. It's more durable than wood, no more expensive, and it weighs less. Its care is easy: Just hose it off before storage. There is no shrinkage or upkeep as there is with wood.

The ladder should be tall enough to allow you to prune your trees while climbing to within two rungs of the top two feet of the ladder. A long-reach or pole pruner can make things easier, too.

Aluminum ladders range from 6 to 16 feet tall. The most popular models are 10 to 12 feet tall and will handle all but the largest trees. Fruit trees taller than 15 to 20 feet are best pruned and sprayed by professionals.

Orchard ladders are handy for harvesting fruit and spraying for pests and diseases. They can be used around the perimeter or within the interior of the tree, with rungs facing the tree or away.

To reduce the number of times you climb up and down, you might purchase an old-fashioned wearable harvest bag for fruit (such as the Gardener's Hollow Leg -- see what garden writer Kym Pokorny had to say after trying it).

You also might fasten a length of 3-inch-diameter plastic pipe three-quarters of the way up one leg of the ladder for holding one arm of a lopper.

An orchard ladder will save you time and effort and possibly a trip to the emergency room.

Ladder safety

  • Press the orchard ladder's center pole firmly into soil.
  • The pole should be vertical, not angled to one side.
  • Always step down firmly on the first rung to set the legs before climbing.
  • Use a tether to anchor the center pole to the legs so it won't swing out too far.
  • Be careful to avoid power lines overhead or below ground when using an aluminum ladder.
  • Wear shoes with rubber soles or similar material to provide traction on rungs.
  • Never use orchard ladders on concrete or tile because the ladder might slide.
– Homes & Gardens staff
    
If you want to automatically receive a daily homes and gardens tip, sign up at OregonLive.com's newsletters subscription site.

Annie's Annuals & Perennials  

Annie's Annuals Holiday 2010




The Salt Lake Tribune - December 18, 2010  

Salt Lake Tribune
Saturday, December 18, 2010



The Macomb Daily - December 12  

The Macomb Daily
Sunday, December 12, 2010



The Topeka Capital-Journal - December 11, 2010  

The Topeka Capital-Journal

Saturday, December 11, 2010


Chicago Daily Herald - December 10, 2010  

Chicago Daily Herald
Friday, December 10, 2010



DenverPost.com - December 4, 2010  







The Daytona Beach News-Journal - December 4, 2010  

The News-Journal
Saturday, December 4, 2010



The Washington Post - December 4, 2010  

The Washington Post

Joel M. Lerner

Saturday, December 4, 2010


Santa Cruz Sentinel - November 27, 2010  

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Tara Leonard

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Reno Gazette-Journal, November 27, 2010  

Reno Gazette-Journal

Susan Skorupa

Saturday, November 27, 2010



Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - October 17, 2010  


October 17, 2010

Press Release: Holiday Gift Release, Fall 2010  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Shelly Gustafson                       
Axiom Marketing Communications   
(952) 224-2939 ext. 22    
sgustafson@axiomcom.com



Bob Blomberg
(510) 735-6165
bobblom@pacbell.net

  
New must-have gift for the gardener on your list
What better way to show appreciation for the gardening enthusiast on your list this holiday than by giving them a thoughtful gift they can use everyday to make their garden clean up tasks faster and
easier.


The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg® is a “hands-free” debris and harvesting bag that you wear. It comes with a belt attached that adjusts from 30 to 52 inches.  It has a ring opening at the top for
easy loading. It is a must-have for light pruning, weeding and general cleanup tasks, as well as for harvesting fruits and vegetables. In the fall and winter, it's a perfect option for clearing debris out of gutters and off rooftops. Once spring and summer come, it helps take the hassles out of daily weeding and pruning tasks by saving time and energy throughout the peak season. There is no need to drag around a bulky bucket or other debris
container. The 23-inch deep bag is compact, light weight, and comfortable to wear. It features a 10-
inch diameter opening and can hold more than five gallons.


Because your hands are always free, The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg makes any ladder-based task, such as fruit harvesting or gutter cleaning, safer and quicker. Itʼs safer because you can grab the ladder with both hands; no pail or sack to throw you off balance. Quicker because you donʼt make multiple trips up and down the ladder. You are also more comfortable because all the weight is ergonomically placed on your hips and legs, not on your neck, shoulder or back.


Simply strap on The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg and youʼre ready to get the job done. The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg can be worn on either the right or left side. A strap handle on the bottom of the sack makes it easy to empty. The bag even features a handy pocket, great for storing your cell phone, iPod or other necessities.


“We designed The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg to help with our personal pruning tasks,” says creator Bob
Blomberg. “Since the product has hit the market, gardeners are sharing many additional uses and
we've discovered what a versatile product it is. It's a perfect gift for garden lovers, as it is something
they can literally use everyday to make all of their fun and not-so-fun tasks easier.”
The Gardeners Hollow Leg has a suggested retail price of $29.95. To locate retailers currently
carrying The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg, go to the “Where to Buy” page on their website:
www.thegardenershollowleg.com or buy it online by going to the “Buy Now” page.

###


  
New must-have gift for the gardener on your list
What better way to show appreciation for the gardening enthusiast on your list this holiday than by giving them a thoughtful gift they can use everyday to make their garden clean up tasks faster and
easier.


The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg® is a “hands-free” debris and harvesting bag that you wear. It comes with a belt attached that adjusts from 30 to 52 inches.  It has a ring opening at the top for
easy loading. It is a must-have for light pruning, weeding and general cleanup tasks, as well as for harvesting fruits and vegetables. In the fall and winter, it's a perfect option for clearing debris out of gutters and off rooftops. Once spring and summer come, it helps take the hassles out of daily weeding and pruning tasks by saving time and energy throughout the peak season. There is no need to drag around a bulky bucket or other debris
container. The 23-inch deep bag is compact, light weight, and comfortable to wear. It features a 10-
inch diameter opening and can hold more than five gallons.


Because your hands are always free, The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg makes any ladder-based task, such as fruit harvesting or gutter cleaning, safer and quicker. Itʼs safer because you can grab the ladder with both hands; no pail or sack to throw you off balance. Quicker because you donʼt make multiple trips up and down the ladder. You are also more comfortable because all the weight is ergonomically placed on your hips and legs, not on your neck, shoulder or back.


Simply strap on The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg and youʼre ready to get the job done. The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg can be worn on either the right or left side. A strap handle on the bottom of the sack makes it easy to empty. The bag even features a handy pocket, great for storing your cell phone, iPod or other necessities.


“We designed The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg to help with our personal pruning tasks,” says creator Bob
Blomberg. “Since the product has hit the market, gardeners are sharing many additional uses and
we've discovered what a versatile product it is. It's a perfect gift for garden lovers, as it is something
they can literally use everyday to make all of their fun and not-so-fun tasks easier.”
The Gardeners Hollow Leg has a suggested retail price of $29.95. To locate retailers currently
carrying The Gardenerʼs Hollow Leg, go to the “Where to Buy” page on their website:
www.thegardenershollowleg.com or buy it online by going to the “Buy Now” page.

###


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Shelly Gustafson
Axiom Marketing Communications
(952) 224-2939 ext. 22

sgustafson@axiomcom.com


Bob Blomberg
Creator/Owner
(510)735-6165
 bobblom@pacbell.net



OregonLive.com - August 12, 2010  

The Gardener's Hollow Leg wins me over
Published: Thursday, August 12, 2010, 7:30 AM

hollowleg.jpgThe Gardener's Hollow Leg holds as much as a 5-gallon bucket.

We all know someone with a hollow leg. Like my brother. When we were kids he was, to use another cliche, a bean pole. But, boy, could he pack away the food. I was – and still am – extremely jealous. In college, hollow legs were all booze. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Now there's a third hollow leg, and it's actually real. The Gardener's Hollow Leg holds, as you might guess, garden prunings. I saw it first at last February's Yard, Garden & Patio Show. I passed by the booth several times without stopping. I was skeptical that the collapsible tube could hold enough of anything to make it worthwhile.  But the booth was so crowded, I decided I was obligated to join the fray and talk to owner and designer Bob Blomberg.

Bob is such a nice man, I felt like I had to at least try his product, which he developed 20 years ago, but didn't start manufacturing until he retired recently. I bought one and took it home. It sat in the garage until I started pulling out the bluebells this spring. Wearing anything around my waist while I'm gardening drives me crazy, but that's the idea behind the Gardener's Hollow Leg. So I strapped it on and went to work. Turns out, it wasn't irritating. In fact, I realized my stubborn refusal to use any waist-binding accessory had worked against me for years. Imagine that. 

I now use the Hollow Leg for weeding. Also for deadheading, although I don't have many plants that need to be deadheaded. My doubts about how much the bag would hold disappeared pretty fast. At 2-feet long with a 10-inch diameter, the bag holds as much as a 5-gallon bucket. Bob filled it with 25 pounds of oranges once. I can weed for an amazingly long time without having to walk to the yard-debris container or the truck. In fact, I'm pretty sure it saves me time. Not that I've timed myself. But with the bag I've used for years – you know, those square, green, foldable ones made out of some sort of plasticky fabric – I tend to throw weeds in its general direction. Then I have to go back and scoop everything up, which means an extra step. Or, I wait until it's so full that stuff falls out as I carry it. If this happens on the sidewalk, there's another step involved: sweeping. 

So, you can see the benefit of a bag attached to your side. It's hard to miss the opening because it's got this patented ring to keep it from collapsing, and you don't have to bend down to pick it up. Plus, here's something I really like: The bag is neat and contained. Once you stuff something inside, it stays put.  Speaking of stuffing, weeds and small garden debris are not the only thing the Gardener's Hollow Leg holds. People tell Bob they use it for picking fruit, nuts, mushrooms. One guy bought one for harvesting coffee beans.

 "Another guy said he could sort apples on the ladder, good ones in one, bad ones in another," Bob says. "He was practically in tears of delight."

Yet another said he poked holes in the bottom of the bag and uses it to harvest clams and oysters.  I'm thinking I could use it to carry chocolate. Too bad I don't have one of those food-disappearing hollow legs.

The Gardener's Hollow Leg is made out of 100-percent recycled plastic and costs $29.95 online and is available at The Garden Corner in Tualatin and Down to Earth in Eugene. 

-- Kym Pokorny

San Francisco Chronicle - August 1, 2010  

San Francisco Chronicle
August 1, 2010




Inspired Home Magazine - May/June 2010  

May/June 2010

Living the Country Life Magazine - May 18, 2010  

May 18, 2010


Newsday - May 2, 2010  
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Jessica Damiano


Garden Center Magazine - April 5, 2010  


Commerce Corporation to distribute Gardener's Hollow Leg 4/5/2010

Deal will bring innovative garden tool to a wider market


The Gardener's Hollow Leg, the handy "hands-free" debris holder, is now available from Commerce Corporation. The gardening and outdoor living specialty company is the first distributor for the brand.

The Gardener’s Hollow Leg is a water-proof fabric sack with a patent-pending ring opening at the top. It is made of 100-percent post-consumer recycled polyester. It comes with an adjustable belt attached that expands from 30 to 52 inches.

With the Gardener’s Hollow Leg, there is no need to drag around a bulky bucket or other debris holder. The 23-inch deep bag is compact and comfortable to wear. With a clipper holster slipped onto the belt, the gardener’s hands are always free to engage in other tasks.

The bag features a 10-inch diameter opening and can hold more than 5 gallons. It’s a great time saver, eliminating the extra step of picking up piles of clippings or weeds. It is excellent for fruit or vegetable harvesting because weight is ergonomically located on hips and legs, not on the neck, shoulders or back and both hands are available to hold onto the ladder. Buyers have found many other uses such as mushroom or oyster hunting, and clamming, to name a few. Great for cleaning gutters, too.

Press Release: Commerce Corporation Signs On as First Distributor of GHL - Spring, 2010  

Launch Press Release

Gardener's Hollow Leg 2010.pdf 141.6KB


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Shelly Gustafson                       
Axiom Marketing Communications   
(952) 224-2939 ext. 22    
sgustafson@axiomcom.com



Bob Blomberg
(510) 735-6165
bobblom@pacbell.net


 

Commerce Corporation Signs On as First Distributor of Gardener's Hollow Leg

Leading distributor brings this innovative garden tool to a wider market

 

 

Berkeley, California. (Spring, 2010) – The Gardener's Hollow Leg, the handy "hands-free" debris holder is now available from Commerce Corporation. The gardening and outdoor living specialty company is the first distributor for the brand.

 

The Gardener’s Hollow Leg is a water-proof fabric sack with a patent-pending, ring opening at the top; it is made of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester.  It comes with an adjustable belt attached that expands from 30 to 52 inches. With the Gardener’s Hollow Leg, there is no need to drag around a bulky bucket or other debris holder. The 23-inch deep bag is compact and comfortable to wear. With a clipper holster slipped onto the belt, the gardener’s hands are always free to engage in other tasks.  The bag features a 10-inch diameter opening and can hold more than five gallons.  It’s a great time saver, eliminating the extra step of picking up piles of clippings or weeds.  It is excellent for fruit or vegetable harvesting because weight is ergonomically located on hips and legs, not on the neck, shoulders or back and both hands are available to hold onto the ladder.  Buyers have found many other uses such as  mushroom or oyster hunting, and clamming, to name a few.  Great for cleaning gutters, too.

 

The Gardener’s Hollow Leg has a suggested retail price of $29.95. For more information log on to: TheGardenersHollowLeg.com

###


Newsday - April 4, 2010  
Sunday, April 4, 2010

Florists' Review - April 1, 2010  



April 1, 2010


Green Profit Magazine - March 15, 2010  



Mar
ch 15, 2010

The Gardener’s Hollow Leg
Gardener’s Hollow Leg is the perfect partner for pruning, weeding and harvesting. This 23-in. hands-free fabric sack is attached to an adjustable belt. It features a 10-in. diameter opening that can hold more than 5 gal., and a pocket for storing a cell phone or other necessities.
Golf Course Management - March 1, 2010  

March 1, 2010


LA Times Print - February 27, 2010  


Device makes it easier to prune, weed or harvest.
hm-hollowlog

February 27, 2010

The Gardener's Hollow Leg has a clever purpose: to free up your hands while you prune, weed or harvest. Whatever you clip can be dropped into the fabric sack slung to your waist. Designed by Bob Blomberg of Berkeley, the sack is nearly 2 feet deep and attaches to an adjustable belt. Strap it on, clip away and fill the Hollow Leg with up to 5 gallons of twigs, stems and spent blooms before making a trip to the compost bin.

"I hated the last-minute chores of cleaning up piles that I left around the yard," Blomberg says. "I realized that if I could have both my hands free to cut away just one more dead branch, it would be a great solution."

The Gardener's Hollow Leg is made from post-consumer recycled polyester, and it's packaged in compostable, recyclable material. Blomberg sells the sack for $24.95 through specialty garden centers and his website, thegardenershollowleg.com.

"Since we hit the market, gardeners are sharing many additional uses," he says. "We've found it's great for harvesting fruit, and perfect for everything from mushroom hunting to cleaning out gutters."

Debra Prinzing

The Gardener's Hollow Leg is made from post-consumer recycled polyester. (January 5, 2010)

 

Tampa Tribune Blog - February 27, 2010  


Cool new garden stuff for us: ‘My Friends the Flowers,” Gardener’s Hollow Leg, Pamela Crawford from Life – from TBO.com Blogs
Posted Feb 27, 2010 by Penny L. Carnathan

photo


That’s just one of the goodies I got last week. How could I have forgotten that, as spring approaches, the garden-manufacturing companies get as itchy as the gardeners?


They send out new books and products hoping newspaper, magazine and blog writers will give them some publicity. I try them out and if I don’t like them, I don’t write anything. But if I like it, I share.


I did try Gardener’s Hollow Leg, which is so new, the patent’s still pending. This is a bag and belt you strap on while weeding and pruning, so you don’t have more work when you think you’re all done.


I know a certain someone who leaves droppings of weeds and dead things all around her garden for her husband to clean up later. That’s very nice for her, but it doesn’t work at my house. My husband will pump up the wheelbarrow tire and clean out the pond pump, but my garden debris is my problem.

The Hollow Leg sounded like a good solution. And it is.


It has a ring on top that keeps the bag open for dropping stuff in. It didn’t really get in the way as I maneuvered around, but then again, it’s pretty easy to maneuver through my “garden” these days.

It’s $24.95, plus shipping, at http://www.thegardenershollowleg.com; significantly less the more you buy. The website has no retailer locations yet.

Chicago Tribune - February 21, 2010  
Sunday, February 21




Dirt Du Jour Blog - January 31, 2010  



Dirt du Jour digs The Gardener's Hollow Leg (even though they confused people by saying it fits on YOUR belt; wrong!  It COMES with a belt attached!)


 

The Gardener's Hollow Leg, Southern California gardening, California garden, California plant and flower, Cindy McNatt

January 31, 2010

I spotted this on the Los Angeles Times blog, LAatHome, a clipping bag you wear on your belt with the funny name, The Gardener’s Hollow Leg. Hmmm….but like the concept especially for us chronic deadheaders.

Bob Blomberg got the idea for his pruning sack after years of gardening and says it works for harvesting fruits and veggies, too. He even designed a pocket for your cell phone or iPod. And it comes with an adjustable belt that will accommodate your tool pouch. Perhaps a bit better than lugging around a five gallon bucket?

LA Times Blog - January 27, 2010  



January 27, 2010 | 11:34 am Hollow-leg

The Gardener’s Hollow Leg has a clever purpose: to free up your hands while you prune, weed or harvest. Whatever you clip can be dropped into the fabric sack slung to your waist.

Designed by Bob Blomberg, a Berkeley-based gardener, the 10-inch diameter by 23-inch deep sack is attached to an adjustable belt. Strap it on, clip away and fill the Hollow Leg with up to 5 gallons of twigs, stems and spent blooms before making a trip to the compost bin.

Blomberg grew up in a Sacramento farming family and later earned a doctorate in public health. He created his own Hollow Leg more than 15 years ago, but decided to wait until he retired before marketing it to a wider audience.

“I hated the last-minute chores of cleaning up piles that I left around the yard,” Blomberg says. “I realized that if I could have both my hands free to cut away just one more dead branch, it would be a great solution.”

Blomberg unveiled Gardener’s Hollow Leg last fall at the San Francisco Green Festival, and he now sells the sack online and through specialty garden centers for $24.95.

“Since we hit the market, gardeners are sharing many additional uses,” Blomberg says. “We’ve found it’s great for harvesting fruit, and perfect for everything from mushroom hunting to cleaning out gutters.”

The Gardener’s Hollow Leg is made from certified post-consumer recycled polyester and packaged in compostable, recyclable packaging.

-- Debra Prinzing
Launch Press Release - Spring, 2010  

Launch Press Release

Gardener's Hollow Leg 2010.pdf 141.6KB


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Shelly Gustafson                       
Axiom Marketing Communications   
(952) 224-2939 ext. 22    
sgustafson@axiomcom.com



Bob Blomberg
(510) 735-6165
bobblom@pacbell.net



Introducing the Gardener’s Hollow Leg®

The perfect partner for pruning, weeding and harvesting

 

 

Berkeley, California. (Spring, 2010) – The Gardener’s Hollow Leg® makes yard and garden clean up tasks easier! This handy “hands-free” debris holder is a must have for all pruning, weeding and harvesting tasks.

 

The Gardener’s Hollow leg is a fabric sack that is attached to an adjustable belt. The sack has a (patent pending) ring opening at the top for easy loading. With the Gardener’s Hollow Leg, there is no need to drag around a bulky bucket or other debris container. The 23-inch deep bag is compact and comfortable to wear. It features a 10-inch diameter opening and can hold more than five gallons. It’s a great time saver, eliminating the extra step of picking up piles of clippings or weeds.

 

Simply strap on The Gardener’s Hollow Leg and you’re ready to get the job done. The Gardener’s Hollow Leg can be worn on either the right or left side.  A strap handle on the bottom of the sack makes it easy to empty. The bag even features a handy pocket, great for storing your cell phone, iPod or other necessities.

 

“We designed the Gardener’s Hollow Leg to help with our personal pruning tasks,” says creator Bob Blomberg. “Since the product has hit the market, gardeners are sharing many additional uses. We’ve found it’s great for harvesting fruit, and perfect for everything from mushroom hunting to cleaning out gutters. People are also telling us it makes a great environmental clean-up tool for removing debris from parks, beaches or other community areas.”

 

The Gardener’s Hollow Leg has a suggested retail price of $24.95. Look for it at select garden retailers or online at TheGardenersHollowLeg.com.