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The Gardener's Spot
Tools In The Garden: Great Gardener Gift Idea
As it is nearing the gift giving season, I thought we might introduce you to what tools you
can purchase so that you will be ready come spring. For a small garden, or any garden,
you will want to start out with a shovel.
A shovel has a pointed end and a convex blade that is great for moving soil. You will need this when you are building your grow beds, and possibly for planting in the spring. You also will want some smaller hand shovels, or trowel. Purchase one that has a nice handle and a stainless steel blade so that you will not have problems with rust. Wooden handles are nice because they don't get as hot as a metal handle.
The second tool that is a must is a garden fork. We like to use this for tilling the soil and tilling in the organic matter in the fall and spring. You will want one that has sturdy, thick tines so that they do not bend and break while in use.
It is also a good idea to have a steel rake. It is really useful for smoothing out the soil and moving small amounts of soil in the bed. We use it to even out the soil in the beds, and when we apply mulch to the beds. A nice, smooth bed is much better for watering purposes and looks neat, too.
We have a spade, which has a flat, sharp blade and helps you to cut nice, straight pieces of sod when you are installing your garden.
Remember, with most things, quality counts if you do not want to have broken tools after only a couple of years. I also do my best to clean them up after using them, so that they don't encounter constant water and sun. They are occasionally left out, and so having one that is better quality is a good choice.
By: Julie Brown
A shovel has a pointed end and a convex blade that is great for moving soil. You will need this when you are building your grow beds, and possibly for planting in the spring. You also will want some smaller hand shovels, or trowel. Purchase one that has a nice handle and a stainless steel blade so that you will not have problems with rust. Wooden handles are nice because they don't get as hot as a metal handle.
The second tool that is a must is a garden fork. We like to use this for tilling the soil and tilling in the organic matter in the fall and spring. You will want one that has sturdy, thick tines so that they do not bend and break while in use.
It is also a good idea to have a steel rake. It is really useful for smoothing out the soil and moving small amounts of soil in the bed. We use it to even out the soil in the beds, and when we apply mulch to the beds. A nice, smooth bed is much better for watering purposes and looks neat, too.
We have a spade, which has a flat, sharp blade and helps you to cut nice, straight pieces of sod when you are installing your garden.
Remember, with most things, quality counts if you do not want to have broken tools after only a couple of years. I also do my best to clean them up after using them, so that they don't encounter constant water and sun. They are occasionally left out, and so having one that is better quality is a good choice.
By: Julie Brown