Essential Gardening Tools
February 02, 2006 by
To begin your adventure in gardening you will need some special tools. There are only five major tools that every gardener should have. There are also a few more that just make gardening more fun and comfortable. Getting your essential 
gardening tools can be an easy task if you know what you are looking for and understand what characteristics the tools should have.
The Five Major Gardening Tools
As mentioned there are five tools you really can not do without. These tools are a shovel, trowel, hand fork (also called a cultivator), hand pruner and gardening gloves. Each of these tools play a major part in gardening. They also all have characteristics that you need to check out before buying so you get the most for your money.
Shovel - A shovel is a basic tool, used for digging. It can also serve to help establish edging and turn up soil in a new garden.
Characteristics: When buying a shovel you should make sure that the length of the handle suits your height. You want to avoid buying a shovel where you would end up slouching when using it. Also inspect the area where the shovel head meets the handle. This area should be tightly connected.
Trowel - A trowel is essential for the gardener. It is used to dig holes for planting, to remove weeds and mixing soil. It is also the tool used for potting plants.
Characteristics: This tool is used a lot, so the handle should fit comfortably in your hand. Some trowels have a padded handle which aids in a comfortable grip. You can always add padding yourself, too. It is more important to consider how the shape of the handle feels in your hand. Also check out the construction by making sure the head fits tightly to the handle.
Hand Fork - The hand fork is a useful tool that helps remove weeds, break down and cultivate soil.
Characteristics: The same construction inspection should be done as for the other tools. It is also important to make sure the tines are sturdy and straight. Also consider the way it feels in your hands, as far as comfort and grip.
The Five Major Gardening Tools
As mentioned there are five tools you really can not do without. These tools are a shovel, trowel, hand fork (also called a cultivator), hand pruner and gardening gloves. Each of these tools play a major part in gardening. They also all have characteristics that you need to check out before buying so you get the most for your money.
Shovel - A shovel is a basic tool, used for digging. It can also serve to help establish edging and turn up soil in a new garden.
Characteristics: When buying a shovel you should make sure that the length of the handle suits your height. You want to avoid buying a shovel where you would end up slouching when using it. Also inspect the area where the shovel head meets the handle. This area should be tightly connected.
Trowel - A trowel is essential for the gardener. It is used to dig holes for planting, to remove weeds and mixing soil. It is also the tool used for potting plants.
Characteristics: This tool is used a lot, so the handle should fit comfortably in your hand. Some trowels have a padded handle which aids in a comfortable grip. You can always add padding yourself, too. It is more important to consider how the shape of the handle feels in your hand. Also check out the construction by making sure the head fits tightly to the handle.
Hand Fork - The hand fork is a useful tool that helps remove weeds, break down and cultivate soil.
Characteristics: The same construction inspection should be done as for the other tools. It is also important to make sure the tines are sturdy and straight. Also consider the way it feels in your hands, as far as comfort and grip.
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