Using the Right Garden Tool

No matter what job you are doing in the garden, the right tool makes it easier and gives you the best opportunity for success.  As a general rule, stay away from cheaply-made tools that won’t hold up.  You don’t have to buy the top of the line tool either; a solid tool that has a durable feel to it will be a good choice.  Forged tools are a good choice too.  Then, as you gain experience and discover the types of tools you find particularly indispensible, you can purchase the very best, knowing you’ll get many years of good service from them.  Here is an overview of the types of tools you’ll want to have as you continue your gardening endeavors.

1. Shovels: If you are going to garden, you’ll need to dig some dirt.  You will want one shovel with a pointed tip to break the sod and dig holes.  A flat shovel holds more material and can be an asset when removing patches of sod or when spreading wood chips, compost or mulch.  

2. Hoes: Once your ground is tilled, a hoe will allow you to loosen dirt and remove weeds easily.  You may find a larger hoe useful when working dirt before planting and a smaller hoe a necessity for hoeing between rows of plants once they are in and growing.

3. Trowels: When planting bulbs, potted plants, seedlings or transplants, you will need a trowel with a hardy steel blade.  If the soil needs to be loosened, use the shovel first.  Your trowel will last longer if you only use it on prepared soil.  A soft rubber or ergonomic grip will reduce hand and wrist fatigue from repeated use. A narrow blade will go deeper faster; a wider blade will remove more dirt.  In time you’ll likely end up with a selection of trowels you use for specific tasks.

4. Rakes: A leaf rake will help you clear leaves and debris from your garden in the spring, or move leaves back onto the garden to provide a nice winter blanket.  A steel rake will allow you to loosen top soil that has been worked in recent years and isn’t heavily compacted.  It will also be useful when leveling out mulch or wood chips.

5. Pruners: You will use a pruner throughout the gardening cycle to shape bushes and trees, deadhead plants and prune trees to enhanced growth in the coming season.   It pays to buy a quality pruner with a blade that can be sharpened or even replaced because it is absolutely essential that your cut be clean.  A ragged cut or a tear can damage the plant and leave a scar.

Having a handy cart to get your tools from the garage or shed to where you are working will save you time.  It will also help you keep track of your tools in the yard, with less chance of leaving one out where it can be lost or rusted.  With this basic assortment of tools, you will have the essentials covered very well.  As you gain experience you can add particular tools to your shed that will to optimize your gardening skills.