Great Gardening Tools

Gardening is a favorite pastime of people around the world. Who doesn't love an opportunity to get dirty, and to touch the cool moist earth? The stillness and tranquility of nature provide many gardeners with a sense of peace. As you tend your garden, you will marvel in its growth and beauty. You will feel great pride as you watch your garden produce delicious and colorful results. Your hard work will be appreciated by all you share your garden with.

Each gardener has his or her favorite tools. Some choose to remain loyal to basic tools, while others prefer to use the more modern gadgets to help them care for their gardens. It is very difficult to garden without any tools at all, especially in the beginning stages. It is best to choose gardening tools that suit your own gardening style as well as the size and organization of your garden. You should also consider how much physical effort you are able and willing to put into your gardening. Time and money are also important factors to keep in mind when choosing tools.

In springtime, even before planting begins, it is necessary to prepare the soil. The soil should be turned and irrigated, and, if desired, some organic fertilizer added at this stage. Many gardeners choose to use tillers and other equipment to help them with this pre-planting preparation. Having the right tools always makes the job easier. There is such a wide variety of cultivating tools available that you will have no trouble choosing the tools most suited for you gardening needs.

Hand tools are the typical choice of traditional gardeners. These include shovels, pitchforks, spades, rakes and trowels. All of these hand-held gardening tools will aid the gardener in preparing the plot for planting. Although they do call for some elbow grease, these tools are relatively easy to use. Other common hand tools are the pickax, mattock, and wheel cultivator.

Power tools are a little more expensive than hand tools, but they really cut down on the hard labor. The tiller is undoubtedly the most essential gardening tool, particularly for people with large plots of land or physical concerns, like back problems. Using a tiller is a fast and easy way to break up the ground and get it ready for planting. Tillers can also help to mix fertilizer and compost into the earth, and chop up any debris. Tillers are very expensive to purchase, so many garden centers and tool supply outlets will rent them for a daily fee. Or, you can ask a friendly neighbor to lend you theirs. Other popular power tools that help many modern gardeners to prepare for the season ahead are shredders, chippers, and chainsaws.

If you have a variety of small trees, hedges, or shrubs on your land, it is a good idea to have some pruning tools on hand. For branches that are 3/4 inch in diameter or smaller, pruning sheers are sufficient. Lopping shears, on the other hand, are useful for branches from half an inch up to about two inches in diameter. A pole pruner will help with taller trees. They can extend up to 15 feet to reach higher branches. Pruning saws and stronger hedge shears are also useful tools to have for your garden.

Plants need water in order to survive, and Mother Nature doesn't always take care of this business. So, it's essential to have tools and equipment on hand to keep your garden nicely watered. If you have a larger garden and a grass lawn, you'll definitely need to have a garden hose with a good quality spray nozzle or sprinkler. If your garden is limited to containers such as pots and balcony planters, you may be able to get away with a simple watering can. Some gardeners use drip hoses for proper irrigation, and more advanced gardens have entire irrigation system set on timers to provide accurate watering.

To create your perfect garden, be sure to have the tools that best suit your needs. A shovel, trowel, pitchfork, and a leaf rake, may be all you need. Gardening does not have to cost you a lot of money. Perhaps the best investment you can make is to purchase a good pair of gardening gloves. This way you'll avoid calluses and dirty fingernails, and make your gardening experience more pleasant. With the proper tools you will love creating a lush and beautiful home garden.