All About Gardening

A good tool is essential to any gardener. It takes more than a few seeds in the ground to grow a garden, and every gardener relies on his/her own garden tools to accomplish this task. You usually do not need that many garden tools to get started, especially if you are only planning a small garden. In fact, you can usually get by with only a few basic garden tools such as a spade, rake, watering can, and small hand cultivating tool. If you are new to gardening, you should consider each gardening tool purchase with great care and base each garden tool on your specific gardening needs.
A rake is one of the most valuable garden tools found in nearly every gardener’s tool shed. Select a rake that is light weight with a handle that is suitable to your height. When I first began to garden, I didn’t realize that there were so many types of rakes to choose from or that each one served a particular purpose. I always thought a rake was just a rake. Not so. Selecting a rake, or any gardening tool, should match its intended purpose. When you have the right gardening tool for the task, the project is much easier and the results are more satisfactory. Large plastic rakes are lightweight, and because they are plastic, they will not rust. They have a wide sweep and are effective for clearing small to medium sized dry leaves. Flathead rakes are essential garden tools for any gardener. These rakes are typically used for breaking up soil clods, removing small rocks and stones, or smoothing surfaces by flipping them over with the tines facing upward. The welded bow head is another good garden tool and similar to the flathead; however, bow head rakes are often lighter and easier to use than the more heavy-duty flathead rakes. Bamboo rakes are both lightweight and durable. Bamboo tines are less likely to spear leaves too, making it less likely that you’ll have to stop every so often to clean out the tines. A well constructed bamboo rake will last for years and never rust. Adjustable metal rakes are garden tools that range in width from 12-18 inches. The tough metal tines are effective for raking leaves or de-thatching the lawn.
Digging tools are an essential part of most gardening chores. Probably the most important of all garden tools is the shovel. As with rakes, there are different types and styles to choose from, and each is designed to do a specific task. Round-tip shovels are great garden tools for digging and scooping. These types of shovels are generally used for planting trees and shrubs. Square-tip shovels are used to level off areas of holes or ditches. These shovels also work well for digging gravel or shoveling snow in the winter. Square-ended spades have a square end and are great for edging and cultivating. These can also be used to break up large chunks of dirt. D-handled shovels can be either round or square tipped and are used for moving soil and gravel from one place to another. The handle has a D-shaped metal hole at the top end, making lifting easier. A transplanting spade also has a D-shaped handle as well as a large flat-rounded tip that allows you to dig deep, getting to all of the roots. Another D-handled shovel is the wide scoop shovel. This shovel is ideal for scooping lightweight materials such as peat moss, potting soil, or bark mulch. You may want to consider keeping a trowel on hand for small gardening tasks that are unsuitable for large shovels.
What gardener is complete without a wheelbarrow? When choosing a wheelbarrow, look for one with good maneuverability and durable construction. Although well-built wheelbarrows may cost a little more, it’s well worth it in the long run. Choose one that is easy to handle when full as well. Wheelbarrows are essential for heavier jobs. It is important to have a wheelbarrow that you are able to lift and control easily. Otherwise, consider getting a garden cart. The only downside to carts is that they are not usually suitable for moving heavy items, such as rocks. However, if you are only going to haul light materials, such as straw or leaves, then a gardening cart might be what you need.
A garden cart can serve many purposes. Gardening involves a lot of carrying and moving of things like soil, plants, pots, mulch, and garden tools. Soil, plants, and mulch can become somewhat heavy after awhile, and containers or garden tools can become just as unmanageable if several of these are needed for one project. A garden cart can easily accommodate these needs while keeping the gardener from straining his/her back. Everything can be carried at one time with ease. Someone with just a few containers or a small flower garden may not require a garden cart. In this situation, a small basket, box, or even a bucket should be adequate.

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