Garden Tools
Gardening is tool-intensive labor. Having the right tool can make all the difference between a pleasant day working in the garden and a backbreaking day of hard labor. Having a tool that is comfortable for you to use is also important. Make sure it's light enough for you to use easily and has a handle or grip that is comfortable for you.
To keep the guides at a manageable length, hand tools (including pruning tools) have their own wiki page.
Before plunging into tools (so to speak), take a quick look at the different types of handles.
Handles
Handle Shapes
Handle Materials
Handles can be made of wood, fiberglass or steel. Additionally, they may be padded or cushioned to make them more comfortable to use. - Wood handles
are flexible and can last a long time with proper care.
- Fiberglass
is strong and not as prone to weather damage. It's more expensive than wood.
- Steel
is very strong and durable, but easily transmits vibrations and cold.
Handle Attachments
Handles can be attached to the head of the tool in a number of ways. - Socket -- a metal sheath extends from the head of the tool and the handle slides in. Less expensive.
- Socket with rivets -- a socket reinforced with screws or bolts for extra strength.
- Tang and ferrule -- a metal tang extends from the head of the tool and slides into a metal ferrule (sheath) on the handle.
Shovels and Spades
Shovels are larger and more scoop-like for moving large amounts of material; spades are smaller and flatter.
Rakes and Cultivators
Rakes and cultivators look like big combs for your garden, and that's exactly what they do. You can use them to gather things together or to break up the soil.
|
|
|
|
|
Lawn Rakes 
Lightweight lawn rakes have small, narrowly-spaced tines for raking leaves and clippings from the lawn. |
Flat Garden Rakes 
Flat garden rakes have heavy tines for clearing debris and evening the soil surface. Flat shape is strong and good for leveling seed beds. |
Bow Garden Rakes 
Another shape of garden rake is the bow garden rake. The bow shape absorbs shock, making this style easier to use. |
Thatch Rakes 
Thatch rakes are heavy-duty tools used to comb out tangles of thatch. Use with care! |
Cultivators 
Cultivators are used to scratch the soil before planting or while plants are growing to aerate it. Remove light debris and break up soil crusts. |
Forks
Garden forks are kind of like forks you would use to eat; they can lift, turn, stab, and fluff.
Hoes
Hoes are one of the most versatile garden tools. They can be used to dig, chop, lift, mix, remove weeds, and just about anything else.
|
|
|
|
|
Garden Hoe 
The basic garden hoe is used for weeding and light digging. |
Warren Hoes 
The warren hoe is a pointed hoe used mainly for planting. The point can dig furrows or hole and the open top can close them back up. |
Weeding Hoes 
The vicious-looking weeding hoe is designed for easily chopping weeds and roots. The two prongs on the back of the head will help you dig plants out by the roots. |
Action Hoes  The blade of an action hoe cuts underground with a twisting action. Cuts roots of perennial weeds. |
Mortar Hoes  Mostly used for mixing concrete, mortar hoes look like garden hoes with holes in them. |
Other Tools
There are always lots of things to do in the garden. Make sure you have the right tool for the odd jobs that come up.
External Links- Lowes.com -- excellent guide to choosing garden tools.
- Thegardehelper.com -- a guide to most of the basics.
- eHow.com -- a very basic suggestion of the first few things you'll need if you're just starting.
- Ext.vt.edu -- University of Vermont -- more suggestions, also includes info on power tools.
|