or the simple flower bed you have available for cultivation. Whether you grow for decorative reasons (flowers and plants), or for more practical and… edible reasons (fruits and vegetables) you certainly fill your time with something creative while at the same time – in the second case – eating fresh and healthy.
But what are the tools you need as an aspiring gardener ? Then we will present you the most necessary ones, as well as what to pay attention to when buying and storing them.
Buying and storage tips
When you go to buy gear , try on whether you feel comfortable with their size, much like trying on clothes. You can’t dig into the store where you’ll buy it, but you can mimic the movements you’ll make to see if each tool “sits” comfortably in your hand. Because if you feel it is heavy, you run the risk of hitting it when you go to use it, while if its handle does not suit you, you may not use it properly, and injury may occur again. In general, look for tools with D-shaped handles, as these put less strain on the hands.
For more durability and less weight, prefer tools with wooden handles, or with metal coating, while it is better to avoid tools with painted wooden handles, because paint usually hides poor quality wood. In general, a good case is to prefer tools that stand out for the quality of their materials and not for the “fancy” of their description.
Store your tools properly . Long -handled tools should be hung from somewhere high to prevent their edges from blunting. Those that are smaller in size you can carry with you in your gardening bag, or buy a belt to put them in and carry them everywhere. If you have the comfort of space, try to configure a corner of your warehouse just for everything you use in gardening , tools and other materials, such as seeds, fertilizers, soil, etc. Never leave tools exposed in the garden – especially if you have children – as there is a risk of an accident.
Hand rake: to pick up fallen leaves and other garden debris and carefully remove soil and branches from under plants without damaging roots and flowers. Choose one with a bright color so you don’t lose it easily and it stands out.
Hose gun: to more easily regulate the intensity of watering as you think, depending on how sensitive each plant is. Depending on the model you choose, and the nozzles it has, you can water your garden, the flowers that require light watering, while you can still wash the tiles, or the paths, using the flat nozzles to clean them . In general, it allows you to adjust the intensity, since all plants do not need the same amount of water, nor to be watered with the same intensity.
Japanese gardening knife (hori-hori): Lately it is a weakness of many since they say it does five jobs well. It is used as a spade to dig, plant bulbs and weed, while its serrated blade can be used to cut small roots and later fruit.
Trimmer: For pruning and beautifying the bushes, but also for the corners of the lawn. Depending on the blades available, it can cut thin branches with a diameter usually up to 1 centimeter, and it can also be used to remove dry leaves, branches or flowers that prevent the healthy growth of the living parts of the plant.
Hand pruner: To prune what the two previous tools cannot . Beyond the garden, this tool is practical even for a few potted plants on the balcony, or for a pot with an ornamental olive tree, or any other tree. Usually the plants we keep on the balcony in big cities, due to their high exposure to exhaust gas, are prone to the appearance of dry branches, which you must cut immediately so as not to affect the growth of healthy shoots. From then on, prefer a model with padding on the handles to protect your hands, but with safety so that it secures well and avoids accidents.Pruner: To cut taller and thicker branches. Depending on your needs, you can choose the length of the handle and blades. A medium model is suitable for cutting branches with a thickness of up to 30mm, while thanks to its long handle and small scissors it helps you to do delicate work at a relatively high height. There are also telescopic ones, which allow you to reach any height you want, adjusting the length of the handle accordingly. In this case
prefer a model with a wide enough range to be able to reach all heights, without the need to buy a second one for taller or lower plants.
Round-head spade: Ideal for digging holes for planting seedlings, or trees and shrubs, or for removing loose material. There are the traditional ones as well as the telescopic ones, which allow you to adjust the length of their handle. The spade with a round head is a traditional tool and is used quite a lot in vegetable gardens, while it is the most necessary tool when harvesting potatoes.
Spade with a pointed head: For digging in narrower spaces and densely planted flower beds. Due to its pointed edge, it can also be used as a small pickaxe or hoe. Yes, it can also do the work of a regular shovel, but it usually takes on more delicate tasks. However, it is also ideal for weeding since thanks to its pointed tip it easily cuts their roots.