So now that you are really sure that you’re passionate about gardening, or at least willing to give it a try, it’s time to shop for the your gardening tools. While there are a lot of clever tools that you could use for your garden, the tools listed below should be enough to keep you going. These tools will assist you in all your gardening chores.
1. Spade and Shovel
You need your shovel to scoop sand, soil or other loose materials. A spade, on the other hand, is needed for digging. If you want one which is easier to lift, choose one with a D-shaped handle. Some shovels and spades come with this grip. Choose one with a sharp digging edge. Otherwise, materials will slide off easily.
2. Lawn Rake
You need your lawn rake to remove twigs, leaves and all other debris from your garden. You also use this tool to smoothen soil beds. When buying your lawn rake, make sure that it is properly and securely attached to its handle. No wiggling should be felt. When deciding which type to buy, metal rakes usually last longer than wood or plastic ones.
3. Trowel
A trowel is a small spade. You use a trowel to plant perennial and annual plants. You also use this to turn over compost and soil. A square spade is necessary when planting bigger plants and when flipping existing beds. A drain spade, on the other hand, is needed to dig post-holes.
4. Broad Hoe
You need a broad hoe to dig plant trenches, to weed and to move soil. However, there are various types of hoes. For example, an action hoe slices weed stems, while a warren hoe is used in tight areas. You attach the metal part to the handle using a solid-socket construction to prevent looseness. It is highly advised that you get a hoe with a smooth wooden handle to avoid splintering.
5. Wheelbarrow
You use a wheelbarrow to haul soil or leaves and to collect debris, including weeds. There are many types of wheel barrows. The sturdiest is made of strong and heavy wooden handles that are attached through countersunk bolts. When dealing with heavy loads, you can use a yard cart to transport stuff instead of a wheelbarrow.
6. Watering Can
You need a watering can to water your plants which are too small for a hose. If you have a huge garden, you need a garden hose to carry water over long distances. You can also choose the type of nozzle that you want. Some are gentle sprinklers while some deliver hard streams for massive garden cleanups. Your watering can, on the other hand, should have a capacity of at least 2 gallons.
7. Gardening Gloves
Of course, you will also need something to protect your hands. If your fingers are not used to gardening, you can easily develop blisters. Your gardening gloves will keep your hands safe from sharp stones and sticks, prickly leaves and stems.
8. Garden Kneelers
Harvesting, digging and weeding can be very stressful. You need something to protect your knees. You can use either a piece of Styrofoam. You may also buy specialized kneeling mats made exclusively for gardening purposes.
9. Gardening Shears
You need shears to trim your plants and to keep them looking good. Gardening shears are even more necessary if you are growing a flower garden. You need this tool in order to cut fresh bouquets which you can bring indoors.
10. Garden Hose
There are a variety of uses for your garden hose. First of all, you need them to water your plants. Second, you will also need them to wash and clean up your garden paths, get rid of loose soil and keep your driveways clean. You can also use it to clean all of your other garden tools.
8 Gardening Tips For Beginners
So you’re almost set. But before you even start digging, take time to keep these 8 gardening tips for new gardeners in mind.
1. Don’t Start Big
For starters, it highly advised that you keep it small. Do not get too overwhelmed. Your first goal is to find out if you are indeed passionate about the whole idea of gardening. Once you make sure of this, you can now expand your plant collections and garden size. You can start planning your small garden space on paper now.
2. Start with Easy Plants
Choose plants that are easy to grow and care for. Some plants that are ideal for starters are zinnias, snapdragons, marigolds, pansies and sunflowers. All of these plants come in a variety of heights and colors. If you want to plant vegetables, you can choose from either zucchini, lettuce, beans or tomatoes. Easy to plant herbs include dill, parsley and basil.
3. Keep Learning
Before you even start planting, get as much information as you can. Go to the library, browse online gardening forums, ask friends. It is also important that you study the plants that you plan to grow. Some seed catalogs can be acquired for free.
4. Talk to a Gardener Friend
You can learn cool tips from your friend. He can be your gardening mentor. If he has been gardening for quite a while now, he could be sharing tips that are more advanced in order to help you learn quicker. Keep these tips in mind. You will need all this advice in the future. You can also talk to people who work in garden centers and nurseries. These institutions can be a helpful source of great information regarding all aspects of gardening.
5. Stock Good Tools
Invest in high quality tools. These pieces can last for years if you know how to care for them properly. You can start with the following:
l shovel
l leaf rake
l manure fork
l iron rake
l watering wand
l hose
l trowel
l shears
l hoe
l wheelbarrow
6. Keep a Garden Journal
There are many things that you can write in your journal. You can jot down notes that you got from your gardening mentors. You can also note plants that you want to grow. Draw your garden plan. Write down plant heights, colors, planting dates, harvest dates and every important event that you need to be reminded of. You can also take note of all the pests that you find in your garden.
7. Make Your Own Compost Pile
Making a compost pile is actually very easy. First, you make a ring of chicken wire. Put in kitchen waste, leaves and grass clippings. If you want the materials to decompose faster, chop them into smaller pieces. Use your pitchfork to flip the pile from time to time. Water it when necessary. Compost is one of the best fertilizers that you could ever have.
8. Protect Your Skin
Always use sunscreen as well as a hat to protect your face during sunny days. Drinking plenty of water while gardening will also be a big help. During summer, do your gardening chores in the early morning and just when the sun is about to set in the afternoon.
Conclusion
Gardening does not require you to be a certain age. It does prefer a certain gender. It does not depend on social status. To succeed in gardening, all it takes is a piece of land, useful tools, hard work and a burning passion. If you have all of these, then go ahead and take the plunge.
Happy Gardening!