What Every Gardener Needs

One of the most popular hobbies around the world is gardening. Working in a garden can fill one with a great sense of pride and accomplishment. Digging into the warm moist earth is a pleasure unlike any other. And, seeing the beautiful results of your labor will inspire you to spend more time in your garden, both working in it, and enjoying it. Gardeners often describe a sense of fulfillment and peace that they experience as a result of working in their gardens.

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 early spring, when it is time to prepare your garden for planting, there is a lot to be done. The soil must be turned, fertilizer should be added, and the area should be well watered. Having proper tools will make for easy work in the spring. Tillers are a popular tool for this time of year. The availability of a variety of cultivating tools should allow you to choose the tool just right for you.

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.

Depending on the size of your garden, and the amount of physical labor you wish to commit to, you may wish to use power tools in your garden. Yes, they are somewhat more expensive, however, they get the job done with more ease. If you have a larger garden, a tiller will be very useful in preparing your soil. It is also helpful for people with mobility issues. A tiller is useful for breaking up the ground, to help mix compost and fertilizer into the earth, and to chop up any debris lying around. A tiller can be quite expensive, so they can also be rented at most tool supply stores. You may also choose to share with or borrow from a neighbor. Chippers, chainsaws, and shredders are additional power tools that are useful in the garden.

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 systems set on timers to provide accurate watering.

Getting down and dirty with nature and creating a lush, healthy garden is a dream come true for many homeowners, but trying to create or tend that garden can be a nightmare without the proper tools. You don't have to invest a lot of money; purchasing the basics including a shovel, trowel, pitchfork, and leaf rake is often all you need. And be sure to pick up a good pair of gardening gloves, or you'll quickly have calluses on your hands along with that dirt under your nails.

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