[ecis2016.org] We list some of the gardening tools that are necessary to dig soil, sow seeds, trim plants and nurture a blooming garden
To nurture a blooming garden, one needs proper tools and equipment to dig the soil, sow seeds, trim plants and nurture the plants. Appropriate gardening tools can make taking care of your garden easier and more fun.
You are reading: Gardening tools: Must-have tools for growing a home garden
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Tools and equipment for gardening
Gardening tools have special features that make them apt for gardening tasks such as digging, planting, pruning and weeding. Using the correct tool can help save time and energy and make gardening an enjoyable experience. These tools and equipment are designed to perform different tasks and help in carrying out gardening chores efficiently. Garden tools and equipment can either be ‘hand tools’ or ‘power equipment’. Hand tools are more economical than power equipment. Garden equipment, like lawnmowers or edgers, are primarily used to maintain landscaped areas. Power equipment requires fuel, electricity or battery for functioning.
Must-have garden tools
When setting up a home garden, it is hard to know where to start. We have compiled a list of must-have gardening tools that you will need to design and maintain a beautiful garden.
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Gardening tool: Gloves for gardening
While gardening, it is advisable to wear a pair of gloves to avoid scratches and allergies. Gloves can keep your hands safe from infections and chemicals and protect the skin from cuts and blisters. Properly fitted gloves will make digging, weeding and planting easier. Always opt for gloves made of breathable material.
Gardening tool: Trowel
A trowel is ideally used to make holes for planting cuttings and transplanting seedlings. It can also be used to remove unwanted weeds. It has a pointed metal or plastic blade fixed to a wooden, plastic or rubber-coated metal handle. For long-lasting trowels, buy one with a stainless steel blade. Transplanting trowels, which have more pointed blades, are used to move plants, flowers and seedlings.
Gardening tool: Spade
The basic purpose of a spade is to dig and it is used to plant bushes and trees. Its sharp and flat edge makes it ideal for edging around the garden or cutting through the roots. A spade is also handy for removing big shrubs and leaf piles and separating and mixing compost. Garden spade is best for light cultivation. The shape of the blade helps cut sod, reshape beds and dig deeper planting holes. Spades have U-shaped, T-shaped or straight handles. U-shaped handles provide maximum control and ergonomic adeptness. Straight handles are easier on the back but don’t move the soil as easily.
Gardening tool: Weed puller
A weeder or weed puller is a perfect tool for removing unwanted plants from your garden. A weeder can be used to pull out unwanted plants from beds and containers and crevices, especially the ones with taproots or fibrous root systems. Weed pullers come in different styles. Some weed pullers are designed with a leverage bar to pull the weeds out at an angle.
Gardening tool: Watering can
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Watering cans are important for gardening, especially when planting new annuals or seedlings. The sprinkler attachment, called a rose or rosette cap with holes, is one of the more crucial features of the watering can. It enables water to stream as droplets to avoid excessive water pressure on young and delicate plants. It also helps in evenly scattering and controlling the amount of water that is distributed to the plants.
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Gardening tool: Garden hoe
The hoe is used to cultivate garden soil and to remove weeds. A hoe usually has a long handle with a comfortable grip that enables you to work standing upright and puts less stress on your back. Gardening hoes can serve many purposes. Triangle-shaped hoes are apt for breaking into stubborn soil, weeding and cultivation in tight spots. A warren hoe has a pointed tip and is used to make furrows. A scuffle hoe is used for weeding. Its blade rests parallel to the ground and is moved back and forth to remove weeds just below the soil surface. A draw hoe cuts the soil and draws the hoe inward to offer an easier way of loosening soil and digging up weeds. Collinear, or onion, has a long and thin paddle or blade and is designed to weed narrow spaces.
Gardening tool: Hand fork or claw
A digging fork, also known as a claw, is a must-have tool to dig up weeds, loosen dirt and remove old, diseased or dead plants. Garden forks have thick tines and are used for turning soil and breaking up soil clods. Digging forks help in breaking up, sifting and aerating (oxygenating) the soil and for digging up plants, bulbs and roots, especially the stubborn ones. Pitchforks have longer tines that are handy for moving light, loose material. Digging forks can be suitable for turning composts and spreading mulches too. Hand fork aids to cultivate the soil, chopping up clumps and working amendments into the soil. A hard fork is necessary for cultivating closely planted beds.
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Gardening tool: Shovel
Shovels are used for digging and lifting loose soil and other materials. A general round point garden shovel helps in digging the garden. To move a large amount of lightweight material, a wide scoop shovel works best. A shovel resembles a spade with a broad blade and typically the upturned sides are used for moving, loosening and filling soil and other material such as plant nutrients. Its primary purpose is to move sand, soil, gravel and other loose material.
Gardening tool: Spray bottle
Spray bottles are ideal to water small plants or to spray disinfectants and pesticides. Spray bottles with mist and jet settings are a must-have in the garden toolbox.
Gardening tool: Dibber
A dibber is a pointed wooden stick for making a hole in the ground to plant seeds, seedlings or small bulbs. They come in a variety of shapes including straight dibber and T-shaped dibber. Dibbers can be used for trenching, making planting holes, grubbing weeds and digging tubers.
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Gardening tool: Pruner
Gardening shears, pruning scissors, pruning shears or garden clippers are a must in all garden toolboxes. Hand pruners help you get more creative with your plants. They are used for shaping hedges and cutting unwanted plant branches or leaves. Opt for a pair that you can take apart easily for cleaning and sharpening and be sure that it fits easily in your hand. If you have trees and shrubs with thick stems and branches, then go for a strong lopper.
Gardening tool: Wheelbarrow
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Wheelbarrows are used for moving compost, soil and other ingredients in bulk. A two-handed, single-wheel barrow can help haul a proper amount of weight. It is an essential tool for hauling plants, heavy mulch and compost. Wheelbarrows also reduce back strain when moving large bags of topsoil and fertilisers.
Gardening tool: Rake
A small hand rake is a must-have in a garden. It is used to move leaves and debris from the surface. Choose a plastic rake or metal rake with fork-like nails. A big rake is required for the cleanliness of the garden. Rakes are designed to pick up leaves and other garden debris without damaging the lawn and the soil beneath. A rake can be used for scooping, scraping, gathering or levelling the soil, mulch or leaves. Some rakes have flat heads while others have sharp metal tines that can break up compacted soil and rocks.
Gardening tool: Hose
One of the most important tools for the garden is a good, long hose. A garden hose, hosepipe or simply hose, is a flexible tube used to water the garden. The burden of moving a hose frequently can be avoided by using a long hose. Plastic hoses tend to be fragile so rubber hoses should be used. Go for a water hose with an adjustable nozzle. A hose can spray water in every direction and a nozzle will help control water pressure. Buy a hose depending on your garden size. There are attachments available for the end of the hose, such as sprayers and sprinklers.
Tips for buying gardening tools
- Using the right tool for each garden job makes the work easier and more efficient.
- Always select good quality, durable material tools.
- Rust-free stainless steel or forged steel is best for durability. Lightweight, easy-to-use tools are made using carbon fibre, plastic and aluminium.
- Garden tools usually have fixed handles but some of them accommodate interchangeable head components like a garden rake, brush, trowel or fork. Opt for this to save cost.
- Always buy gardening tools with comfortable grips. Garden tools with padded and ergonomic grips are better for avoiding aching hands and blisters.
- Handles vary in length. Long handles provide better leverage and enable gardeners to reach places that can’t be reached by hand. Tools with short handles are useful when working in a narrow space.
- Do your research and read reviews before buying tools. Always buy a brand with a warranty.
- When it comes to choosing tools for kids, opt for plastic heads and plastic/rubber handles. Go for smooth, rounded edges that are safe for kids.
Tips for maintaining garden tools
- Clean all the tools after each use. Scrub them to remove any mud or grit from the blades and handles. Dry with old towels.
- Regularly sharpen your tools for the best results.
- Check tools regularly for loose nuts and screws and tighten, if needed. Sand rough handles and repair cracks as soon as possible to prevent injury.
- Apply lubricating oil to wooden handles and metal blades to prevent rust and to prevent the wood from absorbing water and cracking.
- Keep garden tools away from children.
Smart garden tools
Technology has made a lot of things easier. Smart garden tools include plant sensors, solar-powered weed removers, weather monitors, sprinkler systems and robotic lawnmowers. Many of these devices seamlessly integrate with home automation systems, allowing you full control over your entire property. Two of the most useful smart gardening systems are smart sprinklers and smart lawnmowers.
Smart sprinkler
Smart gardening tools can connect to a garden hose or integrate with the sprinkler system. Smart sprinkler systems can help you save water and control watering schedules from your smartphone.
Smart lawnmower
Smart lawnmowers will tend your lawn automatically according to the schedules you create. These smart gardening tools are battery-powered and have adjustable blades.
FAQs
Which garden tool is used for digging?
A trowel is apt for digging small holes or removing weeds. It is used for breaking up earth and digging holes for planting and weeding, mixing in fertilizer and transferring plants to pots.
Which are the best garden tools used for weeding?
The hand hoe (khurpi) is the most commonly used hand tool for weeding. It consists of a sharp, straight-edged metallic blade with a tang, embedded into a wooden handle. You can also use a weed puller or a rake.
What is the use of knee pads when gardening?
When you work in the garden, you have to kneel on the ground to work the soil. Wearing a good pair of knee pads makes the work easier and protects the knee from being bruised or hurt.
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