Gardening Tools for the Organic Garden
What Gardening Tools Do You Really Need
This often depends on your garden type. A trowel won't serve a fruit tree gardener as well as a bow saw because the fruit tree gardener will need different tools than a vegetable gardener. Also, consider the size of the area and determine whether it would be better to invest in automated tools or hand tools. Do you have a large yard? You may prefer a riding lawn mower. Do you want to plant more than an acre of land? An automated tiller can save you hours of hard labor.Determine which garden tools to rent. If you only need a tool occasionally, it may be more economical for you to visit your local garden center, where you can rent commercial-grade tools. Most garden tool rentals have better durability and more power than tools for sale, but the rental cost is far less than the actual purchase price.
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Basic Garden Tools for a Flower or a Vegetable Garden
It’s easy to fill an entire tool shed with gadgets and items, but this can be expensive. Why not buy tools that you can use for a variety of garden types. Sart with the following common garden tools:
- A spade - The spade’s square head is useful for many gardening tasks. Use it to edge beds and yards, to dig pot-size holes and to remove soil, and to cut and transplant sod. For durability, find a spade with a strong handle and a steel head. If you plan to dig deep, check that the footrest is large enough for you to apply your weight without slipping off the garden tool.
- A trowel – The tool’s sharp point makes it the perfect garden tool to dig shallow but narrow holes, which work well for herbs, vegetables or flowers. The trowel’s size fits easily into planting containers and can mix potting soil with compost or other organic material. Some gardeners use trowels to dig out stubborn weeds. Consider investing in a solid stainless steel trowel. Most of these have a comfortable rubber grip. If that isn’t an option, get a stainless steel trowel with a durable connection between the blade and the handle.
- A dandelion digger - If you’ve ever tried to keep your garden weed free, you know how deep roots can go. A dandelion digger’s forked point is able to spear underneath longer taproots, making it one of the best tools for weed removal. While the tool is particularly useful for its namesake, it also works on Queen Anne’s lace and plantains.
- A digging fork – With a digging fork, the four tines work well to break up hardened soil or to move and spread mulch. You can use the garden tool to mix organic material, or you can divide larger perennials with it. Most digging forks are more durable than pitchforks. When you buy a digging fork, look for a forged stainless steel head and a sturdy D-shaped handle.
- A rake – If you grew up in an area with hardwood trees, you may think of rakes as tools used to collect fallen leaves. However, a master gardener can tell you the benefit of having a garden rake. You can use it to clean out flowerbeds and to roughen up soil for seed planting. A plastic rake won’t cost much and is gentle enough that it won’t uproot emerging or established plants.
- A hoe – When it comes to picking the best type of hoe, you’ll need to consider your garden type. A stirrup hoe works well for vegetable gardens that need weeding between the emerging vegetable. However, it may not work the best if you packed your plants close together. You can use a standard garden hoe to create trenches to make planting faster and easier.
- A bypass pruner - From trimming hedges to
shaping plants, bypass
pruners can be all-around garden tools. Use them to clip ripe fruit
from vines or to cut away dead vegetation. When you purchase bypass
pruners, look for a pair that fits your hand well.
Gardening Tips for Garden Equipment
Buying high-quality garden equipment can prevent you from repeatedly
replacing cheaper tools. You may find that durable products are more
comfortable to use and worth more money, too. Some people, especially
those with arthritis, may want to find ergonomic tools to reduce
un
pleasant pains.When you begin shopping for gardening supplies, think outside the store. You can find gardening tools online, at local nurseries, at garage sales or at swap meets. As long as the original owner maintained the garden equipment, it should continue to work well for you. Likewise, maintain your own tools by wiping them down after each use and by using oil to prevent rust.
Having the right tools can change gardening from a painful chore to a lifelong hobby. Start with common gardening tools and add to your collection. Click on the following link for more info about organic gardening.