Basic Gardening Tools and Equipment

School is back in session, the seasons are changing, so it’s the perfect time to get outside and start preparing your yard for the winter months.  Before you can do that, however, you need the right tools and equipment to make the job easier.  Below are basic gardening tools, and their uses.  Because the right tool can make the job easier.

LAWN CARE BASICS

·         Mower

o        Push mower (not powered) recommended for small areas and for the physically fit

o        Power Mower (gas or electric) recommended for average-sized lawns

o        Riding Tractor Mower (gas) recommended for large lawns or for the physically challenged

·         String Trimmer (gas or electric)—for trimming grass/weeds along fences, gardens, tree trunks, etc.

·         Edger—to give your lawn a clean, polished look

·         Blower—Good for clearing leaves in the fall, or for clearing grass and debris off your sidewalks and driveway after mowing

·         Lawn Rake—those with metal tines last longer and are sturdier under tough conditions

·         Garden Hose—length depends on the size of the yard

·         Garden Hose Reel—to keep the hose from kinking, or pets from chewing on

TREE AND SHRUB CARE

·         Chainsaw for tree clearing

·         Loppers—a long-handled tool for trimming smaller branches (up to an inch in diameter) which are hard to reach

·         Hacksaw for trimming larger branches

·         Pruning Shears—good for trimming rose bushes and shrubs

·         Pruning Saw—for branches over an inch in diameter

·         Hedge Shears—long-handled with flat blades, these are used for horizontal and vertical hedge trimming, and detail work

·         Power Hedge Shears—for trimming large amounts of hedges, they are not as accurate as hedge shears or pruning shears

FLOWER GARDEN ESSENTIALS

·         Trowel—for basic digging.  Look for a wooden handle and steel blade for durability

·         Weeder—for removing weeds by the root.  Look for a thin steel neck and wooden handle

·         Hand Rake—for loosening the soil between plants

·         Bow Rake—for raking heavier materials

·         Soil Knife—serrated on one side and a slicing blade on the other, this is good for cutting roots and splitting perennials

·         Watering Can—for direct watering of small plants

·         Garden Shovel—more lightweight than traditional shovel for easier jobs

·         Garden Hoe—for weeding and grooming the soil around shallow-rooted plants

·         Pitch Fork—for turning the soil in preparing the bed

·         Pickaxe—for breaking up hard clumps of clay or tree roots

MISCELLANEOUS

·         Goggles

·         Cotton gloves for light work

·         Leather gloves for heavy-duty work

·         Rubber clogs for wet conditions

·         Kneeling Pad—combined with a seat sometimes, it protects the knees and gives you a place to sit instead of having to stoop

·         Large-brimmed hat for shade

·         Earplugs for noisy jobs

·         Shovels

o        Round point, short handle—for digging in small areas

o        Round point, long handle—to move dirt

o        Square point—for leveling or squaring off sides

o        Transplanting spades—for digging out and moving perennials and shrubs

o        Scoop—for large, light loads such as sawdust or dried manure

·         Tarp for collecting and hauling debris

·         Pressure Washer for cleaning deck, patio furniture, driveway, garage floor

·         Tank Sprayer—for pest control, weed control, fertilizer (Purshace a separate container for each use)

·         Wheelbarrow—for moving large amounts of dirt, mulch etc.

·         Lawn Cart—for moving lighter loads like plants, leaves, tools

·         Spreader—for fertilizing the lawn

·         Push Broom—for quick, easy clean-ups

·         Five-gallon bucket

o        Use as a tote for gardening tools

o        Use to haul small amounts of dirt, debris, weeds while gardening

o        Use for mixing weed killer, fertilizers, compost

o        Use to cover plants in danger of frost

FOR THE ENTHUSIAST

·         Chipper/Shredder to make mulch from small branches and twigs

·         Cultivator/Tiller—for turning the soil and preparing vegetable gardens

·         Generator—for power outages

Always clean and dry your tools after each use.  Return your tools to covered storage after use so they don’t rust in the elements.  Store large tools and equipment upright in buckets or trash cans, or hang them on the wall with hooks.  Store small tools on shelving or hang on pegboard with hooks.  Proper care and use of your tools will guarantee better and longer performance over the years. 

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