What Garden Tools Do You Really Need?

Gardening can be such a rewarding activity. The smell of the fresh soil, the joy of the first blossoms, eating a tomato fresh from the garden – there are so many things that make gardening worth the effort. But even with all the rewards, gardening can be a lot of work. If you have the right garden tools you can make your time in the garden more productive and easier to do!

There are a wide variety of tools available to gardeners, some are simple and others are fancy and complicated. You don’t need all the fancy tools to create a great garden, although some of the high tech tools are nice to have! We will focus on the basic, easy to find garden tools that every gardener should have in their tool shed.

Shovels – large and small. You should have a least two good shovels for your yard work. A large shovel or spade is good for digging new flower beds, mixing compost or other material into the soil, large digging jobs. A small shovel or trowel is perfect for planting small plants and bulbs or working the soil around plants. When you are choosing a shovel, make sure you get a high quality shovel that is built to last. They may cost a little more but when you figure how much you will use it the cost is worth it. In addition, a high quality shovel will last many years making your initial investment seem to be mere pennies.

Garden Hoe. Believe it or not, you can find different shapes and sizes of garden hoes. A hoe is a workhorse when it comes to yard work. Not only can you remove weeds, but you can till and break up the soil as well as smooth out rough spots. A hoe is a must have for any gardener!

Hand Cultivator. A cultivator will allow you to aerate and break up the soil in flower beds and around plants. Cultivators come in different styles, the most traditional being a three or four pronged claw type. You can buy cultivators with long handles or short. It is recommended to have one of each. The long handle version will allow you to work large areas while standing. The short handle is perfect for working close to plants and preparing the soil as you are planting bedding plants.

Adjustable Hose Nozzle. When you are working in the yard, you may see areas that need extra water. An adjustable hose nozzle will allow you to easily spot water areas. You can adjust from a fine mist to a powerful spray – perfect for washing off dirty garden tools! Brass hose nozzles are durable, long lasting and relatively inexpensive.

There are so many wonderful tools available to gardeners and you are sure to find your favorite. But if you start with these few basics you will be on your way to having the perfect garden tool box!

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Selecting the Right Garden Tools

If you’re thinking about taking your gardening seriously and getting out there every day to increase the attractiveness of your garden, then you will want to get the right tools to help you in this. You might be tempted to go out to the store and just buy the nearest things you see, but you’ll be much happier if you put lots of thought into the styles and types of tools you’re buying. There are styles designed just for gardening, and you’ll be better off buying those.

You can find most of the tools you will need at your local gardening or home improvement shop. Usually the employees will be thrilled to assist you in finding the ideal tools. If you go to a shop that specializes in gardening, you can usually get some advice in addition to service. Gardening store employees are usually an untapped wealth of wisdom, and they are how I learned almost all that I know about gardening today.

If you are having a hard time finding the right tool or if you want to save some money, you might try looking online for the supplies you need. You may have to pay the shipping costs and wait an extra week or two, but often the total savings will be worth it. My favorite online site is Bargain Outdoor Tools at http://www.outdoortoolbargains4u.com.  The site specializes on power tools and is also a good resource for information.  The site also includes product reviews.

A great thing about this site is that it is affiliated with eBay which means your transactions are secure and if you pay with PayPal you can obtain a full refund, plus shipping costs, if your purchase is defective or not as described.

You should always buy from a reputable seller, though, and always check the seller feedback beforehand for anything negative that people had to say about their buying experience.
 
As far as basic digging tools go, you might already have all you’ll need. There are several types that you should get though, for different specific tasks. A round point shovel is good for digging holes for plants. A spade is necessary for all the more intricate work. A garden fork you might not use as much, but I have one in my tool shed and I’ve been thankful for it on multiple occasions. Having these different varieties of digging tools can help you to minimize the work you have to do. For example, if you try digging a big hole with a little spade then you’ll end up rather tired.
 
The same goes if you are attempting to do more detailed work with a big clumsy shovel. A rake is an absolute necessity. You most likely already have one, but I’m guessing it’s a lawn rake and not a garden rake. There is definitely a difference, and if you try to use a lawn rake in a garden then you will not be happy with the results. Same if you buy a grading or a contractor’s rake. You’ll want to look for a bowhead rake. I’ve found these are the best for gardening purposes. They will provide you the maximum control and accuracy, so you don’t accidentally tear up your precious plants.
As far as hoes go, I don’t believe any gardener should have less than 3. There are so many useful varieties on the market that I have a hard time recommending just one, and that’s why I’ll tell you all the ones I usually use. The one I use the most is the onion hoe, which is very lightweight and ideal for small cultivations and weeding. The Warren hoe is a larger model, with a pointed end. If you need to make a hole or dig out a pesky weed, this is the one for you. There are several other varieties, but I recommend starting with the ones I mentioned.  As you progress in your gardening savvy, you will find the need for more types.

Most people believe that gardening just consists of a simple spade. But there are many, many tools with many more variations that you will use in your gardening career. Usually you can start with just a few different tools, but you’ll always find that you can use more varieties for special situations. It’s just a matter of recognizing when one tool could be more efficient than another.

If your garden is large you will want to buy a tiller.  A tiller will save a great deal of back-breaking work and will do a much better job of preparing the soil for planting.  Once again, I recommend Outdoor Tool Bargains for buying a tiller.

You may also want to purchase a garden tractor to assist in your gardening efforts and making your yard the envy of the neighborhood as well. When shopping for a garden tractor, I recommend Riding Mower Bargains at http://www.riding-mower-bargains.com where you can often get free shipping and have the tractor delivered to your door step.

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What Home Improvement Tools Cannot Be Passed Up On

Whether you are a homeowner or you are a renter; there are some tools out there that you should never find yourself without. You never know when something is going to break or when you need to adjust something. Some people think that only the highly skilled handyman has a purpose for a wide variety of tools but that is simply not the case. Men, women, experienced, and the inexperienced need to make sure that they have just the right home improvement tools in their toolbox or tool shed.

It is essential to have a wide variety of tools, whether your home improvement projects include large jobs or small jobs. This way, there is nothing out there that you will not be prepared for. If you require additional assistance, at least you will have your tools on hand to help get the job completed.

For starters, you want to make sure that you have a quality adjustable wrench and a pipe wrench as well. In addition, speaking of wrenches, you want to make sure that you have a large socket wrench set. Make sure that you are also not forgetting about a large set of allen wrenches. These tools will typically handle all of the bolt and nut problems that you will come across. As far as cutting through things, you will want a crosscut saw, a hacksaw, a coping saw, and a jigsaw.

It is also a good idea to make sure that you have a pair of needle-nose pliers and a cordless drill on hand as well. When it comes to home improvement tools, there really is no such thing as having too much and it is certainly okay to have duplicates of something, especially since tools have a tendency to come up missing from time to time.

Simple everyday home improvement tools are essential and the most easily to be misplaced, so make sure you have what you need on hand. It is important to always have a sturdy hammer, a tape measure, wrecking bar, and pry bar on hand. You should also consider having other tools on hand such as flashlights, levels, utility knives, dust masks, and multi-bit screwdrivers, just in case you need them to assist you for your various home improvement projects and repairs.

Having a quality extension ladder and stepladder on hand is another important thing. When you take the time to comparison shop for the various types of home improvement tools you may need, you will always be prepared for any type of home improvement repair or project when the need arises.

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The Best Green Thumb Tools

Do not rush into buying as you might just end up with unnecessary tools.  In fact, many have purchased garden tools that are made to sit in their tool shed for years, wondering if they’ll ever be used again.  Here’s a helpful list of must-have tools for every gardener:

Shovel

Gardening always starts with planting and that means digging holes on the ground.  This is why the shovel tops the list. This is also one of the tools that are frequently used. There are many types of shovels but if you have to settle with only one go for the round point shovel. It is able to dig holes, move dirt and lift plants. Round point shovels come with either a long handle or a short one, which one to use is a matter of choice.  Long handles save you from bending while short handles provide more balance. As you’ll be using this tool often, go for quality shovels that may be a bit expensive but sturdy enough to last for many years.  

Trowel

You guessed it right, another tool for planting. Sometimes you do not really have to dig deep into the ground. For small planting holes and weed removal, a trowel will suffice.  Look for a trowel that is lightweight and has a handle that provides for easy and comfortable grip. It is also important for a trowel to have a sturdy blade – stainless steel is your best bet. Trowels with narrow blades are more convenient to use when digging small holes for seedlings while those with a wider blade are able to dig the soil faster.

Pruning Shears

Hand shears are primarily used for pruning and trimming shrubs and bushes.  Like the garden shovel, you may have to invest a little on this one.  You do not have to buy a really expensive pair but cheap ones need to be replaced more often.  

Garden Hose

This tool sustains the life of your garden plants and depending on the plants that you have, you may get to use this everyday.  You again have to make an investment on this one (Yes, gardening can be costly.) as cheap hoses often kink which is really frustrating.  Rubber will be able to better withstand changes in weather.  Also go for a hose reel.  It’s easier to put the hose away and it helps keep the hose in good condition.  Before making a purchase, measure the length of your lot.  You do not want to keep disentangling the hose just because you bought one that is too long.  

Rake

Gardening experts agree that in terms of durability, the best choice is a metal rake.  This, however, costs a bit more than a plastic or wooden one.  Rakes with metal tines are also sturdier.  Whether into gardening or not, every household should have a durable rake which becomes a must when fall comes.

Loppers

This tool can also be used to trim shrubs and bushes but with its long handle, it is ideal to use in branches that cannot be easily reached by a hand shear or clipper.  The handle is made of either metal or wood – choose one with a comfortable grip.  You do not have to buy expensive loppers as the blades can be easily sharpened or replaced.  

Wheelbarrow

As you progress on your gardening, you realize that you need to move a lot of things around – dirt, compost, plants and concrete. Such a chore will not be possible without a wheelbarrow.  Make sure that the one you purchase is not too heavy for you and the handles can be gripped comfortably. You may also consider a four-wheeled cart, which is cheaper, if you intend to move only light objects.  

Broom or Leaf Blower

You need to sweep away the dirt and garden debris that your gardening activity has generated.  For smaller lawns, a broom will do just fine.  It’s a good exercise and will definitely leave the neighbors in peace.  Some yards, however, are just too big for an ordinary broom and a leaf blower is necessary.  This costs more especially on your electricity bill.  

It may not be possible for you to use all these tools very often especially if you’re only a casual gardener, but it pays to have the tools ready when you feel like gardening rather than rushing to buy them from the hardware at the last minute.  

Whatever garden tool you’d like to buy, look out for ergonomically designed tools. That is, tools that are specially designed so as to lessen as much as possible the discomfort you may feel while gardening.

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Tools and Garden Equipment Should Be Stored Correctly

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Storage of garden tools in a precise fashion helps keep them in good working order, and saves you time in locating them. A tool house 3×6 feet can take care of a great deal of equipment.

Because tools are usually kept in unlighted places, and often not wiped off after use, rust is the major enemy.

One way to safeguard against rust is to keep vulnerable tools away from air when not in use, storing them in a box of sand saturated with crank-case oil. Avoid having so much oil that it makes the tools greasy and hard to handle, and do not put the working parts of the tools, such as the pivot part of shears, in the sand.

The garden hose is often badly taken care of. Besides using a reel, you can preserve the life of your hose by not letting it kink while water is running through it. Don’t leave it in the hot summer sun (especially if it is a plastic hose). Coil it loosely on your reel or rack made on the exposed studding of your garage. An improvised reel can be fashioned from wooden TV cable or wire reels.

Tools should be cleaned immediately after use, while the soil is still moist. Use emery cloth, a wire brush or steel wool. Rub in crank case oil. Keep your wooden handles sanded down and preserve the wood with linseed oil.

Sharpen hoes with an 8-inch mill file, stroking toward the cutting edge, but don’t sharpen digging tools too keenly for when they are thin they nick easily. Apply your file to only one side of your sickle, with the bottom edge kept flat.

Power sprayers should be washed with clean water and washing soda after each using, and the nozzle should be examined to get out the grit particles. Clean the sprayer’s rubber hose with vinegar and the shower, and the nozzle with kerosene. Oil the leather plunger washer after using to prevent the leather from drying out.

Plan to have your drying yard and service area out of sight yet close enough to the house so that you are not inconvenienced. Screen these areas with shrubbery or fences. The service area should include propagating beds, cold frames, a tool shed or storage locker and your compost pit if you have one.

Hotbeds and cold frames should be located in a spot where they will be protected from north and northwest winds. Be careful not to place your cold frame in a damp place unless you have first drained it thoroughly with drain tile.

Tools and Garden Equipment Should Be Stored Correctly is a post from: Wooden Sheds