All Tools Are Not Created Equal

Tools, all gardeners need them, but which tools to buy? What tools will I really use? A good quality tool will get much more use and will last much longer, than a tool you bought just because it was on sale.

The following is a list of Garden Tools all gardeners should have in their shed:

Wheelbarrow- A tough, lightweight wheelbarrow is a must. A 5-6 cubic foot bin that is made of plastic (I know plastic, yuck) will last 100 times longer and be much lighter than a steel bin. This will enable you to move larger, heavier items with ease.  Either bin can be recycled.

Rakes - Rakes are essential for good gardening. A leaf rake 24" or 30" is standard. I like a metal rake, because it gets through wet, heavy leaves easily. A shrub rake is a great thing to have for getting in between and under bushes. It's usually only 10"-12" in width. A hard rake is necessary for grading and leveling soil and mulch.

Shovels- A good strong hand shovel for planting, bulbs, annuals and perennials is a must. Shovels with a cushioned grip are great on your hands and increase leverage. A round point shovel is great for digging holes and shoveling up dirt. A spade or flat edge shovel is a must for edging beds, dividing perennials, etc.

Pruning equipment- Pruning shears are one of the most important tools for all gardeners. Hacking away at a plant with dull tools can do a lot of damage. Hand pruners are great for pruning roses, small shrubs and perennials. Loppers are like hand pruners with long handles for pruning larger diameter branches, large shrubs and small branches on trees. Pruning snips are like extra heavy-duty scissors that are great for cutting flowers. A pole saw is great to have for trimming high branches on trees. It is a saw on one side and a lopper on the other. They usually have a telescopic pole and I recommend one with a lightweight fiberglass pole. This makes balancing easier.

Tank Sprayer- A good 1 or 2 gallon tank sprayer is great for spraying insect, disease and weed control. They usually have a pump pressure spray action. This will enable you to spray larger areas at a time than ready-to-use sprays. Do not use weed control in the same tank as insect and disease control. You run the risk of killing your plants if residue is left in the tank.

Good quality tools like Fiskars, True Temper, Radius and Truper will perform well and last for years to come. When it comes to garden tools, quality is the only way to go. They will save you time, money and backaches in the long run.

Lawn Mower- People more now than in recent years are turning to Push Reel Mowers to keep their lawns in manicured condition. They do not require gas, nor electric and they do the job as well as any  gas powered mower. The technology going into the design and manufacturing of this new breed of mower is far superior than the old type our grand parents and great grand parents used. The Brill Razorcut 38, from Germany only weighs 17 lbs and the blades only need sharpening about every 8 to 10 years. It comes with an optional grass catcher. Sun Lawn makes an equally advanced push reel mower at a higher cost for it’s top model, and Scott’s has had their classic 20” for a long time.

Choosing your Garden Tools- Always remember to choose tools that are of a higher quality and meet all safety requirements. Gardening and Landscaping can be fun and rewarding but you must always adhere to the manufacturer safety warnings. Prepare yourself with the right tool for the job and you will always enjoy the results of your labor.