Not all of us are equally handy when it comes to sprucing up our garden, but with the aid of the right equipment we can make our lives a lot easier and our garden area a lot prettier.
Depending on the garden, certain tools will always be necessary – if you have a small garden on, say, a balcony, you will keep smaller plants and will have no need for big, expensive tools. Of course, you adjust as the need dictates.
For bigger gardens, a variety of tools will be necessary if you want your garden to be in top condition all the time. Choose the tools that work for your circumstances. When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it may be a good idea to remember that cheap does not last forever. Maybe spend a little bit more initially on good tools that will last longer; also, if you look after the tools there is no reason they won’t last you a long time.
Let’s look at some tools which are essential in the bigger garden:
The Spade
When looking for the right garden spade, some experts tell us, you may do well with buying a good border spade, as opposed to getting a full-size digging spade, esp. in heavy soil – you should have less back stress when digging. Another option that is quite useful is the transplanting spade – very handy when planting bulbs or potatoes.
Pruning Tools
Right throughout the year we need to ensure our flower beds, hedges and shrubs are cared for. Often late spring brings a lot of growth and, if you have not done it in late winter/early spring, it would be a good time to get the pruners out.
- Secateurs
A small set of pruning shears - this tool is almost indispensable and will be found in any gardener’s toolbox. Good to use for ‘’small’’ tasks such as cutting flowers for the vase, but strong enough to be used for bigger jobs too: cutting through foliage, and sometimes even to get rid of unwanted branches and shrubs. You can choose between bypass and anvil pruners, the first one being your choice when you want a ''clean'' cut whereas the anvil type will allow you greater force when cutting. - Loppers
Ideal for thicker, often drier, branches the loppers are a must for those gardens with thick shrubs and rose bushes. They will do the job for you where secateurs fall short because of the greater leverage they allow you. - Hedging Shears
Used for cutting back hedges, long grass or shrubs that need trimming. Hedging shears are very useful where secateurs and loppers won’t do.
Gloves
Not only for Mom, but for Dad too (and the kids who are keen to try their hand at gardening) in order to keep the thorns out and lessen the friction on your hands caused by working in soil or shrubs and bushes. If you look around you’ll find gloves that can be both practical and beautiful, especially for Mum.
Power Tools
For those who have lawns to care for, there are various machines on the market. The lawn is often the showpiece of the garden and the pride and joy of the person looking after it. Almost everybody today uses a self-propelled machine, whether driven by petrol or electricity. For the best lawn, you will need a good lawnmower as well as a good grass trimmer to round off the edges. Another item (some may think of it as a luxury) to help achieve the finishing touch, is a leaf blower.
The ‘’Forgotten’’ Tools
Never forget how handy a watering can or potting tools are. Always remember the hoe too for digging up weeds. The trowel and garden fork still are great tools for those times that you want to bend down low for those irritating small weeds that you find difficult to reach otherwise.
One Last Word
To get the greatest pleasure out of our gardens, it is essential to always be prepared and have the best tools at hand. You want to be sure you buy durable, effective tools that are easy to use and do not cost an arm and a leg, which is fine, but it may be best to pay a little bit more for something that will last much longer. A useful hint: Shop around if you have the time, build up a friendly relationship with an assistant at your store of choice and let him/her help you find the right tools.