Equip Yourself With The Right Gardening Tools

If you are a serious gardener you’d like to have a select choice of gardening tools. If you flip the pages of any catalogue on gardening tools, you may be surprised at the variety offered. Some tools are highly specialized, some necessary and some nice (but may not be necessary).

Before selecting gardening tools you need to keep the following in mind: the size of the garden, your age, your strength and your basic needs. If you are a beginner avoid investing in very specialized tools. If you are a senior citizen, it would be wise to avoid tools that require great strength.

By and large, gardening tools can be categorised as under:

Tools for Cultivating

These gardening tools are again divided into hand tools or power tools.

• Hand Tools consist of shovels (to dig holes and move soil), spades (used for cutting), garden and spading forks (to turn over garden soil), hoe (preparing seedbeds, removing weeds and breaking encrusted soil), garden rakes (to clear rock and debris from the garden), lawn rakes (rake leaves and gather loose plant debris), trowel (for digging tasks), pick axes (to break up stony soil) and a wheel cultivator (for soil cultivation and weed control).
• Power Tools consist primarily of a rotary tiller (to make the soil loose and ready for planting).

Gardening Tools for Pruning

Depending on the size of the garden, and the size of the trees and branches you may choose between pruning shears, lopping shears, pole pruners or hedge shears.

• Pruning saws are also available in varied ranges and models.
• Easily manoeuvrable carts and wheelbarrows would also speed up the process of pruning

Pest Control Tools

Sprayers are the most common type of pest control gardening tools. However it is not safe to use the same equipment for weed and insect control. Remember to rinse the sprayer and flush hoses and nozzles after every use.

Watering Tools

The purchase of watering gardening tools depends on the climate, water supply and gardening practices. Areas blessed with adequate rainfall may just need a garden hose or water beaker. But areas suffering from extended hot weather would require a drip irrigation system.

Soil Monitoring Tools

Soil testing gardening tools can be used once every two to three years. Electronic pH testers, soil thermometers, and other environmental monitoring equipment are often used for testing the condition of the soil.

Seeding and Planting Tools

Opt for a row seeder or a hand held seeder for sowing different kinds of seeds in your garden. These gardening tools should be bought depending on the size of your garden and your physical abilities.

Harvesting Tools

Baskets are the most popular form of these gardening tools, and are useful for most gardeners.

Purchasing and maintaining tools are equally important. While purchasing gardening tools opt for better quality, as you will have to use them all throughout the year. The tools should also be light in weight. Keeping the tools clean and sharp will make them last long. It is also important to store the tools properly for better maintenance and to avoid mishaps.

If you a new gardener you may not need all the gardening tools mentioned here. With a spading fork, a hoe, a watering can, a shovel, a garden rake and pruning shears, you will be equipped with the requisite gardening tools to begin the craft of gardening.

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