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You can garden with a spoon and a bucket, but you won’t get far. Having the correct tools makes gardening so much easier and more enjoyable.
Evaluating A Potential Tool
Before you go buy every tool in the store, think about these qualities your tools should have.
Quality
Always get the best quality tools you can afford. That said, the best tool for the job may not be the most expensive one. Look at how the handle and metal are joined. Two screws or rivets is sturdier than one. Some tools may be really nice quality, but they do not meet your needs. We have all gone crazy at the nursery and brought home some beautiful but useless tools. Try not to do that very often.
Price
Price and quality go hand in hand. The cheapest tool will present a false economy. If it isn’t well built, it will break quickly. You will have to replace it and may end up spending more than if you bought a quality tool in the first place. Remember that online stores will build in the cost of shipping into the cost of the tool, so ordering online will cost more than going to your neighborhood hardware store. That said, not every town has a store that carries what you need. Buying online may be your only option.
Materials
The materials that the tool is made from also tie in with quality. Tools made of sturdy wood and good metal last longer and are more pleasant to use. Most gardening tools are set up so you can replace the handle if it breaks. Sometimes, it is worth buying the tool and replacing the handle with something better.
How Heavy It Is
The weight of the tool is important. On the one hand, good tools are often heavy because they use good materials. On the other hand, the heavier the tool, the faster you get tired of using it. Go to a hardware store and try to lift various tools. See what is comfortable for you before you purchase a tool.
Handle Design
Tools like hoes and shovels used to come with a straight handle. However, ergonomic handles can help reduce the difficulty of using a tool. Many tools now have D shaped openings on the end of the handle to allow youi to grasp the tool better. They also reduce blisters. Again, go to a hardware store and try the tools out, even if you are buying something online. You need a feel for how the tool functions so you can tell if it is right for you.
Shaft Length
Hand tools with longer handles give you more leverage. This means you can pull weeds with them easier, dig easier, etc. There is a sweet spot of a longer handle with more leverage and a handle that is too long.
Blade Design
Tools with a sharp point are easier to dig with than those with rounded points. They are more dangerous than tools with a rounded point, too. Be sure to always point the blade at the ground when moving around with it and never point the blade at another person.
Right Tool for Job
Choose the right tool for the job to make that job easier. It can be tempting to use what you have out, but things will go more smoothly if you use the right tool. Pruning shears are not designed to cut large branches. Get the heavy-duty loppers for that job, or the pruning saw. When you use the wrong tool, you can damage your plants and hurt yourself.
Power Tools
Consider using electrical power tools instead of gas or diesel power tools. The technology of battery-operated tools has improved to the point that you can get the same or a better result than a fuel-operated tool gives you. Battery-operated tools pollute much less and don’t produce fumes that can make you sick.
Essential Tools
The tools below are what most gardeners consider the essential tools to garden in comfort.
Shovel
Shovels come in many shapes and sizes. You need a shovel that is wide and has a curved blade to carry soil and mulch. Choose one that is light enough to use comfortably. Don’t try to use a snow shovel as it will carry too much weight when used to carry soil and mulch. You can easily hurt your back overfilling a shovel.
Spade
While a spade is technically a shovel, you need one in addition to the shovel discussed above. A short handled garden spade with a D shaped handle and a narrow blade is essential for digging up and dividing perennials like bearded iris and Siberian iris.
Trowel
A trowel is just a short, handled hand shovel. Some trowels have a short ruler stamped in the metal. These are handy to measure how deep you are planting your seeds. Be sure to get a good trowel or it will break on you. Ergonomic designs reduce blisters and make using the tool more comfortable.
Gardening Gloves
Gardening gloves are essential. They reduce blisters, protect against stickers and thorns, and give you a better grip. They are lighter than work gloves, but no less essential.
Watering Can
A watering can is essential if you do not have a water hose. You need a small one to fit plants in tight spaces. Water at the root level with your tip almost on the soil. Do not get the foliage wet because that can allow diseases to grow on your plants.
Rakes
A leaf rake has flexible tines that allow you to rake up the leaves trees like red oaks and sugar maples without ripping out the lawn the leaves are resting on. A garden rake has stiff iron tines and is used to break up clods in the soil when preparing your seed bed. You should have one of each.
Hoe
Hoes are used to remove weeds planted near your desired plants. You want a moderately heavy hoe to give you the leverage to remove stubborn weeds with long roots. A sharp hoe cuts the weeds just below the surface of the soil.
Care of Tools
Always wash all the dirt and debris off of your tools before putting them up. Use rubbing alcohol to disinfect your tools. It won’t corrode the tools like bleach can. Wash the tools off with water and dry them thoroughly. Oil the joints in scissors and clippers. Finally, rub an oily rag over the tool to put a light sheen of oil on it. This helps prevent rust. Put the tools up in a shed or garage so they are out of the weather. Rain can cause rust and ruin your tools.
Order Plants Now
Call us at 931.692.7325 to order your plants so you can play with your new tools.
