Garden Tools
Garden Tools and Accessories
There are so many different garden tools available that deciding what to buy can be
daunting. Only a few of them, however, are really necessary. After all, how many different types of hoe or spade does anyone really need? The one thing that really matters when buying garden tools is the quality. Buy the best that you can afford, it will make a difference.
Look for tools that have forged heads, where the head of the tool was made in one piece. This makes them much stronger and less likely to break. Cheaper quality tools are usually welded and don’t stand up years of use.
The most basic garden tools needed are a shovel and a metal rake. They are available with long or short handles and are needed for moving and digging soil, sand, etc. indispensable. A good steel rake is used for raking up debris and for leveling and neatening..
A hoe is also a necessity. There are many varieties, from the basic straight edged type to swan necked and diamond shaped hoes. They all do basically the same thing. They can be used for everything from weeding to digging rows for planting seeds.
Among small tools, the trowel is the most valuable. Used for everything from planting and transplanting to digging weeds, they are truly multi-purpose. When buying, make sure that it is strong and does not bend under pressure. These break very easily so it pays to get a good one.
A wheelbarrow or garden cart is very helpful, especially with larger properties. They make so many heavy jobs easier and can be used for moving large plants, managing a compost pile, or moving whatever needs to be moved. The wheelbarrow is better for maneuvering around in tighter areas.
Perhaps the most essential of all is a good pair of garden gloves and there are many available for all kinds of tasks. It is useful to have a couple of different types. Leather gloves are great for shoveling or pruning. Plain cloth gloves are best for basic garden weeding.
Well made clippers and loppers are needed for pruning. Loppers are for branches up to one inch in diameter, while clippers are good for smaller pruning tasks.
Garden tools should never be put away dirty or wet, and should not be left outside. With a little care, good quality tools should last for many years.
