Choosing The Right Gardening Equipment

Gardening equipment is something every gardener needs. At least that’s what we all say when we rush off to buy that handy new extra-light shovel that just went on sale! However, not every gardener has all the tools, or even the right ones necessary, and most gardeners will just make do with what they have. Most of the time improvisation is the key.

But if you are serious about growing a garden this year, there are several things you absolutely need to have. A shovel, a hoe and a rake are three of the basics. Pruning scissors are another valuable tool that you should add to your arsenal as soon as you can.

As the years wore on I found that I had indeed collected many an essential piece of gardening equipment, and now find to my dismay that my shed is full to overflowing with tools. The best ones that I have though are a very old pair of comfortable gardening gloves, and my trusty, old kitchen knife that I had brought out one day, and just never replaced.

When I can’t find my pruning scissors, my kitchen knife takes its place and acts as a pruning knife instead. If I can’t be bothered to find my hoe, or shovel, I just use the tip of the knife to accomplish what I want. Then of course there are the times that I just can’t be bothered with even that, and use my nicely gloved hands instead to loosen the soil, or pull up weeds.

It probably sounds like a fairly sloppy way to go about your gardening, but every dedicated gardener knows that if you’re knee deep in the middle of something, the last thing you’ll want to do is to interrupt your work to fetch the proper gardening equipment from your shed.

Having said all that, some jobs really are easier with the proper equipment and it may be worth the time to fetch. One of my other favorites is the garden claw.

With two varieties available, one for standing work, and for closer work and therefore fitting in your hand, the garden claw makes your life easier. Stick the claw in the ground, give it a simple twist with your wrist, and pull out. It loosens soil easily, and as an added benefit you get to pull out your weeds with less hassle.

What you need to remember about garden equipment is while you might really want a piece of equipment, you probably don’t really need it. Stick with the basics and you’ll still have lots of fun and enjoyment from your garden.