The New Gardeners Toolkit - Essentials
When it comes to gardening, having the right tools for the job makes all the difference! With Spring just a couple of months away, were doing our winter preparation for the growing season ahead, and it got us thinking about all the tools we couldnt do without.
In this short guide, youll find an overview of some of the essential tools that every gardener should own, along with a few tips on choosing the tools that are right for you.
Every gardener worth their salt will own a good selection of long handled spades and shovels of different sizes, which are essential for digging your beds and borders, planting and transporting plants, compost and soil.
Spades and shovels are real workhorses, so make sure you choose tools that are built to last, and those with stainless steel blades, as they will hold a sharper edge “ making digging easier and lasting longer than cheaper tools.
If youre particularly tall, you may want to opt for spades and shovels with extra long handles, which will reduce back strain when digging.
Whilst spades and shovels are undeniably useful, the garden fork is the unsung hero of the digging world. Fantastic for loosening compacted soil (especially in clay areas), youll find it invaluable for a range of garden digging jobs, and lifting plants from the soil without damaging the roots.
When choosing a fork, its important that you get one with a handle thats suitable for your height, as choosing one thats too short or long will put unnecessary strain on your back during use.
The trowel and hand fork are essential tools, and incredibly useful for precision planting, scooping soil, weeding and maintaining your beds.
When choosing trowels and hand forks, opt for stainless or carbon steel if possible, as they will last longer than inferior products. Its also sensible to choose tools with a comfortable handle, so you can handle long, pain-free planting and weeding sessions!
Many beginners opt out of investing in a hoe, but as seasoned gardeners know, its an incredibly useful tool that youll find yourself reaching for very regularly.
In addition to soil cultivation and the removal of surface roots and weeds, a hoe with a sharp edge can also be used for edging.
As with any long handled tool, picking a hoe with a comfortable handle, and a sharp blade is the way to go, so opt for a stainless steel blade for maximum performance and durability.
When it comes to pruning, youre going to need a good quality pair of secateurs.
When choosing secateurs, its all about comfort and the sharpness of the blade, so go for a compact pair of lightweight shears manufactured from good quality steel thats better at holding a sharp edge after prolonged use.
As a final note, bypass secateurs come in both left and right-handed variations, so make sure you choose the right tool for you.
Whilst it might not be the first tool that comes to mind, a pair of scissors is a vital part of any gardeners toolkit. From harvesting vegetables, light pruning and dead-heading flowers to cutting string and opening bags of compost and seeds, theyre a great tool to have in your pocket at all times.
Whilst a pair of kitchen scissors will suffice, its best to opt for a pair of sturdy, dedicated gardening scissors, like the ones we stock at Keen Gardener.
For moving plants, tools, compost and waste, the humble wheelbarrow is an absolute must.
Look for models with strong, durable frames that are easy to tip, and have enough capacity for the jobs you want to do.
Investing in quality tools
Whilst you might be tempted to opt for the cheapest tools you can find, usually, this is false economy. Regularly sharpened, well-maintained and sensibly stored tools can last a lifetime, and investing in high quality, durable products manufactured from hard-wearing materials wont just make your gardening jobs much easier, they will also save you money.
At Keen Gardener, we stock a full range of high quality garden tools from the worlds leading manufacturers, and our hand-picked products have been selected to ensure that they meet our exacting standards. All products are regularly price checked to ensure that you always get the best value.