Gardening Sweet Spots
By Donna Hessel, Emerald Necklace Garden Club
There are some tools that are absolutely necessary for gardening. The type and size of your garden will make a difference. But even if you are just planting in containers, you will need some basic tools. These are the tools I have found to be most helpful.
Hand Trowel
This is the first tool I grab for almost every job. A trowel works well for digging small holes for planting bedding plants and herbs and removing weeds. Trowels with a broad blade move more soil. Those with a long narrow blade (my favorite) are great for digging weeds or planting. Trowels made with stainless steel are more durable and will last longer. Some have measurements engraved on them, which is helpful if you need to dig to a specific depth (e.g., for planting bulbs). Some trowels have ergonomic handles – a good investment if you have arthritis or your hands cramp.
Soil Scoop
This is a tool I didn’t know I needed until I had one. A scoop makes it so easy to remove large quantities of soil from a sack to either fill pots or planting holes in the ground. It also comes in handy for removing soil from containers in the fall.
Gloves
Not normally thought of as a “tool,” gloves are essential. You may want to invest in a couple of types for different gardening chores – leather for clipping thorny stems, coated and water-resistant ones for working in wet conditions; thin, disposable latex gloves that facilitate planting seedlings. Gloves should fit comfortably. Bright colors are not only cheerful, they can be easily spotted when you leave them somewhere and can’t remember where you took them off. Store them in a dry place.
Clippers or Pruning Shears
There are several types of hand pruners or “secateurs.” You will quickly favor one type over another, but try them all. Anvil-style pruners cut with a sharp blade meeting a flat surface similar to a knife on a board; best for cutting dead wood. Bypass pruners cut with a sharp blade passing by a sharp-edged flat surface, more like scissors; best for live plants and greenwood. Ratcheting pruners provide increased cutting strength, perfect for anyone with reduced hand strength or arthritis. Keep pruners sharpened!
Scissors
Keep a pair of scissors with your garden tools; handy to carry with you as you wander through your gardens. Sometimes you don’t need a pruner to cut leaves or thin branches and they’re great for deadheading flowers and digging out that wayward weed as you wander.
Loppers
Loppers are long-handled pruners used to trim hard to reach areas and cut thicker branches. The long handles provide the leverage it takes to cut through branches up to an inch or more in diameter. There are anvil and bypass types, just like pruners. Handles generally range from 16 to 36 inches. Lightweight aluminum or carbon-composite handles weigh less and are easier to use. Sharpen loppers regularly.
Shovels, Spades and Pitchforks… Oh, My!
You’ll need one with a pointed edge for digging planting holes and a square-edged one for removing sod. Pitchforks come in handy for turning compost and digging plants for transplanting or dividing. A good spade will last a lifetime, and you can often find good used ones at flea markets. Treads on top of the blade provide a sturdier and more comfortable foot surface. Hardwood handles are durable and absorb shock and vibration. Longer handles provide more leverage but are heavier. Stainless steel heads are strong and won’t rust.
Rake
Another favorite tool of mine is a small metal rake I picked up at a flower show one year. The tines are just slightly curved on the ends so they don’t rip the plants and it gets between plants to rake out leaves and the debris that inevitably collects. You’ll also need a longer-handled rake. I love an old-fashioned, metal tined, smaller rake for all raking jobs, (including leaf raking), vs. larger, plastic leaf rakes. Try them out before you buy to find one that is comfortable for you to use.
Garden Hose with Adjustable Nozzle
There are three hose diameters: ½ inch, 5/8 inch and ¾ inch. Diameter will determine the gallon flow per minute and the length of the hose will determine water pressure (longer equals less pressure). Choose a length that reaches most areas of your garden. Vinyl hoses are lighter weight, but kink easier; rubber is more durable. A shut-off valve on the hose nozzle lets you shut off the water without running to the faucet; conserves water and allows adjustment of the flow. Store your hoses out of direct sunlight and invest in a sturdy hose hanger that makes accessing them easy.
Watering Can
There are two basic types of watering cans, plastic or metal. There are hundreds of styles, colors, sizes and nozzle options. Consider the size of the can relative to your strength; a gallon of water weighs just over 8 pounds. The handle position is important. It should allow you to carry a full can and also tip it to pour easily. A long-necked version is handy for watering containers and houseplants.
Wheelbarrow
I couldn’t garden without one! It moves soil, carries plants and helps with heavy lifting and moving most anything. Traditional dual-handle, single wheel styles can be harder if balancing heavy or unevenly distributed loads. Single-handle two-wheel models are easier to balance; better for those with limited strength or when pulling over uneven terrain. Keep the wheels inflated properly for easier wheeling.
Invest in these essential gardening tools to get your gardening off to a good start and keep your gardens beautiful and growing.
