If you take gardening seriously and get out there every day to make your garden more efficient, 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 first things you see, but you’ll be much happier if you put some thought into the styles and types of tools you’re about to buy.
You can find most of the tools you need at your local gardening or home improvement shop. Usually the employees will be happy to assist you in finding the ideal tools. If you go to a shop that specialises in gardening, you can usually get some advice in addition to service. Gardening store employees are usually an untapped wealth of wisdom, so make good use of them.
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’ll have to pay the shipping costs and wait an extra week or two, but often if you buy more than one tool, the total savings will be worth it. You should always buy from a reputable seller, though, and look around beforehand for anything negative that people had to say about their experience.
As far as basic digging tools go, you might already have all you need. 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 regularly, but you might be thankful for it on certain 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, you’ll end up rather tired. The same goes for 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 a difference, and if you try to use a lawn rake in a garden then you won’t be happy with the results. Just like if you buy a grading or a contractor’s rake. You’ll want to look for a bowhead rake as 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, but the most popular one 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 for more specific tasks and as you get savvier, you will find the need for more types.
If you are just starting out, you can start with just a few different tools, you don’t have to invest in a whole array of gardening equipment just yet. As your gardening needs increase, you’ll probably find that need to buy more specific gardening tools though. Remember, garden centre employees are an asset!
