Tending the garden does not just involve bare hands. You must have a trusty set of tools for making tasks easier. Otherwise, your fingers and palms would be full of cuts, bruises, and splinters. The essential tools for gardening become helpful when you want to enliven your lawn with flowers, ornamental shrubs, and other objects for decoration.
Lawn Sprinkler or Hose
You cannot maintain a garden if plants do not grow in it. They need a continuous supply of water so they do not wilt. The rains may provide that nourishment but they do not come every day. Either a lawn sprinkler or a hose would do that important job.
Place lawn sprinklers in the middle of the garden, positioning them in a way that every one of your precious plants will get its fair share of water. They water the area evenly to encourage growth. Lawn sprinklers are better suited for larger plots of land. The simple hose would give that much-needed stream of water once in a day. Be sure to use one can be adjusted for a fine spray or just partially cover its end with your finger. Do not hose too much water on your plants.
Watering Can
The use of lawn sprinklers and hoses may be too excessive, especially when your locality experiences a limited water supply. Opt for a watering can instead. Simply fill the can with water and position the spout with many holes over the garden plant. The smooth and scattered flow works like rain and does not result in damage. Better yet, you may collect rainwater for gardening rather than solely rely on a faucet.
Weeder
Pesky weeds compete with your garden plant for water and they must be removed from at all costs. No tool does this job better than the aptly-named weeder. This tool excels in digging up dandelions and other weeds with taproots. The metal end comes in a wide range of shapes so be sure to choose the one that is easiest for you to use.
Garden Spade
A spade allows you to dig up large patches of ground quickly. Garden spades vary in the length of handles so consider your height and the reach of your arms when choosing one. Additionally, find out whether you are most comfortable with a wooden, plastic, or metal handle.
Garden Fork
Using a garden fork might be better when breaking up clods of soil and stirring it. This tool penetrates the ground with ease. Coming into contact with rocks does not present a problem. However, you cannot lift soil from one spot to another with a garden fork. Stick to a spade if this is part of the task.
Trowel
Gardening calls for up-and-close work with ornamental plants. Newly-grown flowering shrubs must be handled gently, which is possible with the use of a trowel. It looks like a miniature version of the spade. The size also allows you to dig up roots with care and prevent damage when plants are clumped together.
Rake
A rake not only keeps soil at an even level but also makes it finer and more porous. In addition to that, you can also rake those fallen leaves and gather them into a pile for disposal. As with other gardening tool with long handles, make sure that you are comfortable with the length of your rake. Also consider the material for the handle.
Gardening Gloves
Wearing gardening gloves offers a number of advantages. This allows you to dig the ground with your hands without getting bits of soil stuck in your fingernails. Gloves also protect you from thorns, sharp branches, and anything that can cause a cut. Feeling more comfortable with tasks also means uninterrupted work. Elastic gloves are best suited for mud whereas heavy duty gloves would be useful when trimming shrubs.
Hand Pruner and Lopper
Twigs and branches might grow out of control in your garden. They do not just look unattractive. Sharp edges could brush against the skin and result in cuts. Trim those twigs and branches with the use of a hand pruner. Get one with incredibly sharp blades and long-lasting steel to make the job of trimming effortless. A hand pruner is used with one hand. The larger version, which is used for tough branches and requires two hands, is called a lopper.
A combination of watering, digging, weeding, and trimming tools would enable you to create and maintain a well-arranged garden. When tending the plants and soil, be sure to wear durable overalls if you have any. Otherwise, long dungarees and a pair of boots will do.
