subject: Essential Handheld Gardening Tools for the Beginner [print this page] Essential Handheld Gardening Tools for the Beginner
There are many handheld gardening tools on the market. As a new gardener, there are some essential tools that are a good idea to invest in before beginning your first gardening endeavor. When shopping for gardening tools, two of the most important things to keep in mind are the task at hand and your individual comfort level. Comfort level depends on whether you plan to kneel or stand while gardening. Select tools with the right handle size and length according to your preference.
Every gardener should have a spade in their tool shed. Spades are meant for digging and can be used to dig small holes during transplanting, large holes for tree planting, or any jobs in between. Spades come with pointed, round and square tips. Pointed spades are best for digging small holes in hard soil like clay and compacted loam. Round spades are best for digging larger holes and square tipped spades are good transferring soil from one location to another. Always consider type of soil and its density and the most common task you'll be performing with the spade during your selection process.
Next on the list is the hoe. A garden hoe is used to distribute and transfer soil, make rows, and in some cases to weed and cultivate. The garden hoe comes with a solid rectangular head or with prongs designed for weeding. When selecting a hoe, the length of the handle of your choosing should be determined by the size of your garden and its intended use. For kneeling purposes choose a handle that is about the length of your hand. For standing purposes choose a hoe that when held upright has a handle that is slightly taller than your hip.
Lastly, every gardener should have a rake. Again, these come with different heads, handle lengths and can be used for multiple reasons. Plastic or metal pronged rakes are used for raking leaves while bow rakes, made from a heavier metal, are used in the garden to spread soil, cultivate and weed. Choose a style based on what you plan to use the rake for. As you continue to garden, add gardening tools to your collection that suit your needs and comfort level. You may even want to buy one of the lawn mowers out there to keep your lawn in great condition.
