A trip to a garden centre to buy tools can be an overwhelming experience. The choice can seem bewildering and it can be tricky making the right selection. Thankfully most gardens can be looked after with a handful of utensils. Having the correct tools for maintaining your garden will make work easier, faster and produce a higher quality finish. Below is a compact guide featuring advice on how to choose and buy your tools.
When buying your garden tools it pays to be frugal and only purchase what you need. Have a walk around your garden and take not of the height and density of trees and plants. A vast green space with many trees would be suitable for a pair of long handled loppers. Not so if you had a small garden with no trees, for example.
The essential gardening tools which should cover you general maintenance tasks include;
• Spade
• Fork
• Secateurs
• Gardening knife
• Dutch or draw hoe
• Garden rake
• Wheelbarrow
• Watering Can
Be sure to test the tools in the garden centre for weight and length of handle to ensure it is a suitable to your build. Also make sure the tools are durable, functional and comfortable to use.
You can prolong the life of your tools by keeping them clean, sharp and in good repair. Keep a bucket of clean sand and machine oil in the garage to cure tools after each use. This is particularly helpful for rust-prone instruments such as garden forks and hoes. After use, rinse with water and dry the blades. Then insert them in the oil/sand mixture. The sand will scour off debris, and the oil will coat the metal, retarding dutst.
