While garden baubles certainly aren't my taste, I really think that people should be able to do whatever they want in their gardens - garish or not. How boring if all gardens were tasteful. I also think that taste is somewhat culturally dictated. So I say long live garden gnomes and flashy baubles if they make the gardener happy. I'm kind of alarmed that so many people cast such a jaundiced eye at other people's gardens. What's up with that?

Great post. I'm so encouraged that organic is becoming mainstream. It's amazing to me that it has taken this long.

I have to say that your post kind of pisses me off. To relegate a whole generation to fustiness and materialism is ageist and completely unfounded. As with any pursuit, you will find those that share your style and those that don't - age is pretty much irrelevant. Some of the older gardeners I know are some of the coolest people on the planet - wise, interesting, funny and tolerant. They would no sooner buy matching Wellies than fly. I'm really getting annoyed with the polarizing of generations - on both sides. Let's just shut up and grow stuff.

I'm a big fan (ok, slut) when it comes to garden hats. Was sent some by Womanswork, Wallaroo and Tilley. I've got to say that I love them all. I was also pretty thrilled with gloves from West County, Ethel Gloves and Womanswork. Oh, and the lead-free, drink safe, purple hose from Gardeners Supply is truly kinkless, lightweight and stylin. Also their seed starting system, APS(?) I was also really happy with. Was also sent a tool called a Frisper, to suck the air out of plastic bags for food preservation. It didn't suck (actually it did suck, because it didn't suck) so was totally useless. Would love it if people would send me plants (or felcos, trellises or furniture). I have a big mailbox.