What are the different tools used in gardening?

Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by

One of the earliest things you need to learn once you start gardening is the various tools and equipment that you need to invest in.

It’s not always about who has the greenest thumb. Sometimes, the people with the greener garden are ones who invest in great tools. If you’re a beginner and you don’t know which tools to get, here’s a quick guide to figure out which ones are truly worth investing on.

Digging Tools

Gardening is all about digging. That’s why digging tools are some of the most important tools to have inside the garden. Without these, you won’t be able to cultivate your garden properly. The three common digging tools are the spade, shovel, trowel, and fork.

• Spade – a digging tool that is used for digging “around” the soil. Spades usually have a bladed area and a long handle which can help make it easier for you to dig around plants safely.
• Shovel – the main difference between a spade and a shovel is that a shovel is used for scooping soil instead of digging around it. Shovels usually have a concave plate that would make it easier to scoop heaps of soil.
• Fork – these are basically the best of both worlds as forks can be used for digging and for scooping. However, as forks have spaced in between the tines, they’re often best used for hard and clumpy soil.
• Trowel – looks similar to a shovel but the curves are deeper to avoid spillage. Trowels are most commonly used for transplanting which is the process of moving plants from one area to another.

Cutting Tools

If you really want to maximise the appeal of your garden, MLSWA recommends using a wide selection of cutting tools so that you can keep things in order. It can help you maintain the growth inside of your garden. The most common cutting tools inside the garden are shears, pruners, axes, and scythes.

• Shears – these are scissor shaped cutters used for various purposes. Most commonly however, shears are used to cut down plants and thick stems.
• Pruners – these have the same function as shears but the main difference is that pruners are much smaller. They fit your hand mostly and are used to cut off branches and trim hedges as well.
• Axes – used for heavy duty cutting such a felling trees. It’s not that common to see axes used in gardening as chainsaws offer a faster and more convenient way to cut down trees.
• Scythes – a lengthy bladed tool that lets you cut through long grass very quickly.

Watering Tools

Watering is an essential part of your gardening duties as it provides your plants with the nutrients they need to survive. Investing in good watering tools is vital as you’d want to make sure that your plants aren’t under or over watered. Here are the most common watering tools.

• Watering can – the simplest watering tool available. Though limited in its capacity to water plants, watering cans give you more control over how much water you give them.
• Gardening hose – lets you water plants in a wider area all at the same time. It’s also the more convenient way to water plants since the hose is connected to your pipes so you have access to unlimited water,

Cultivating Tools

Cultivation is the process of preparing the soil for plants. This involves clearing out the soil, adding tools for aeration, and many others. The most common cultivating tools include rakes and aeration tools.

• Rake – a fork-like tool with curved teeth. This is used to help clear out the soil of any dead leaves that are covering it. Dead leaves can block out the sun thus causing the grass to not receive enough nutrients.
• Aeration tool – this is a tool that has spikes ranging from 1-3 inches. It’s used to poke holes in the ground easily. Aeration is an important process as plants need oxygen to thrive too.

Miscellaneous

Aside from these tools above, you’re going to want to invest on some other tools that will make gardening a lot easier to handle. These miscellaneous tools aren’t always necessary but they do help get the job done.

• Gardening gloves – holding some of the tools, especially those used for heavy tasks is not good for your hands. Gardening gloves prevent callouses from happening while making sure that you have a tight grip on your tools at all times.
• Composters – large shacks or boxes that are often used to help you create compost for your garden. Composters are typically covered so that they don’t get wet in the rain.

These gardening tools can help you create a garden that’s green and lush with your favorite plants and flowers. Instead of buying all of these, make sure to understand how each one is used so that you know which you need most in your garden.

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