Choosing your gardening tools
If you are new to gardening you may be wondering what tools you need to get the job done. There are so many tools and gadgets available for your gardening needs that it can become confusing. You may already be an accomplished gardener and need to replace some of your gardening tools. This can also become confusing because there are new tools available to purchase and you may not be able to find your same old tool that needs replacing. So how are you to choose your gardening tools? Here are some simple steps to help you decide.
There are ten basic tools that every gardener should have. If you are new to gardening you will want to make a list of these ten tools and take it shopping with you. If you are a seasoned gardener you will want to take a look at your tools and see what you may be missing or which tools need replaced.
|
|
Here is the list:
1. A sturdy hand trowel
2. A stirrup hoe
3. A square blade spade with D-shaped handle for easy grip
4. A good hand pruner
5. A garden fork
6. A leaf rake
7. A bow rake
8. A hand cultivator
9. A wheelbarrow or some sort of garden cart
10. A Japanese knife called a hori hori knife which is used for dividing plants and weeding.
Extra tools you may want to consider if you have a lot of trees or shrubs would include:
1. Hand Saw
2. Bypass lopers
3. Hedge shears
That is your basic list of tools. Take this list with you as you begin shopping for your gardening tools. You may find you don't need all the ten tools because you are too new to gardening or because you just won't use it. Don't buy the tools just because they are on the list.
To get the most out of your money on your gardening tools you will want to buy high quality tools. This will be more money at the beginning but it will pay off after many years of use. Stainless steel tools are the best for gardening. They will not rust and are easy to clean. Another type of tool that is good would be tools made from carbon fiber steel. These are also durable and sturdy tools that are easy to sharpen when needed.
Because your gardening tools get a lot of pressure put on them by digging in clawing in the dirt you will want to look at tools with ash shafts and forged sockets. These will handle the pressures of gardening well. Check out the tools carefully before you buy them. Make sure that the shaft of the tool is straight. Avoid tools that have painted handles, well they may look pretty the paint can hide the lower quality of wood they may have been made with. Hold the tool to see if it is too heavy or too light for what you will want to be using it for. The tool should feel comfortable in your hand. If you are buying pruners, loppers or handsaws you will want them with replaceable blades.
While looking at tools stay away from tools that will have only one use. While the bulb planter may look easier to use it will cost you money that you don't need to spend. A trowel will do the same job along with many other jobs. There are many specific tools available for gardening but they really aren't needed. Before purchasing any of these tools you may want to think if you have a tool that will already do the job.
Lastly, if you have any physical limitations you don't have to stay away from gardening or give it up. There are ergonomic tools available for purchase that are designed to reduce stress on muscles and joints. You can buy tools with longer handles and shafts to increase leverage and help prevent you from stooping over when you use them. If you suffer from arthritis you may want to invest in tools with a ratcheting mechanism that will multiply your strength and make cutting easier.
Choosing your gardening tools can be fun if you know what you are looking for. Take your time, look around for what you want. Good gardening tools do cost more but you will gain years of use out of them.
