subject: Tools And Equipment For Gardening. [print this page] Saunter around a big garden centre or DIY superstore in spring and you will be confronted by a large assortment of gardening tools and equipment. You could be excused for thinking that the amount of different types of gardening tools must have increased lately - but you in fact you would be wrong. In a text book written at least 300 years ago there is a list of well over 100 tools for the enthusiastic gardener, and Victorian catalogues offered a huge selection of different sorts of hoes, forks, spades etc.
The fundamental armoury has declined, but the average cost and complexity have greatly improved. However, there is also a large amount of different brands of each item, which means you have to choose with great care. A widely known name on the handle is certainly a safeguard, but it may also mean a higher price. With tools you nearly always get what you pay for (but not always), so it is wise avoiding low-priced offers of unknown origin for tools which you intend to use constantly. Stainless steel definitely looks attractive, but ordinary steel is much cheaper and is quite satisfactory if cared for properly.
Your first job is to decide which type of tool or tools you intend to buy. Having the right equipment for gardening will always make the job a lot easier. For the elderly and the handicapped choosing wisely is even more important, it sometimes means the difference between having the ability to do a task or not.
Now you know what to look for, you should select an appropriate example from your supplier. By all means be guided by the maker's name, the shopkeeper's advice and the manufacturer's advertising campaign, but for most tools it is necessary for you to check the item suits the user. With spades, forks, hoes, secateurs and so on you should see that both the weight and balance are suitable. A spade this is 'right' for a strong youth would be quite wrong for a medium sized elderly lady or gentleman.
For the keen landscape gardener with money to spare, probably the most difficult task is to decide just what number of tools to buy. Underneath is a general basic list for a medium sized garden, but the precise list which would be right for you is something that only you can decide. Nonetheless, any item on the basic list below which you fail to buy will undoubtedly increase the chore of gardening.
What people should buy.
Basic List:
Spade, Fork, Hoe, Rake, Trowel, Lawn Mower, Watering can. Plus, Secateurs if roses and/or shrubs are grown. Shears, if hedges are grown. Sprayer, if roses,vegetables and/or fruit is grown. Hose pipe, if the lawn is feature. Lawn edger, also for the lawn. Garden line, if vegetables are grown. Gloves, if prickly plants are grown. Wheelbarrow, if plants or manure have to be moved. Motor mower, if the lawn is over 70 sq. yards.
