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Gardening Tools Buying Guide
Working in your garden or yard can be enjoyable and satisfying. Try to make the time as pleasant and stress free as possible. While you can’t do anything about the weather, you can buy proper gardening tools that will make your time more enjoyable and productive.
There are many different gardening tools available today. Before you purchase a new tool, look to see what kind of soil you will be working with. Then look for tools that are ergonomic, as they can save a lot of sore muscles. Make sure that the tools work well with your body; back pain does not lend itself to an enjoyable time even if it is out in the garden.
Consider the handles of the garden tools you plan to purchase. Make sure that the grips are made of material that feels comfortable for you. Also check out the different sizes of grips as, in some cases, there may be different circumferences. For instance, some clippers have different sizes and one may be more suitable for someone with large hands.
In today’s market there are many gardening tools that are made out of new space-age materials, thus making them lighter than ever before while still maintaining strength.. Consider buying tools made of the lighter materials and conserve energy for the work you want to do.
Check out the features of the gardening tools you plan to purchase. Look to see how well made the tool is, if there are replaceable parts, if it is rustproof, and easy to store.
The most basic gardening tool for planting would be a shovel. While there are many different kinds of shovels, look for one that fits you and the work you want to do.. Check out the width of the handle and get one that fits well in your hand. This will help avoid some calluses. There are long handled and short handled shovels, so get the one that you like the best. There are also different blades, like flat bottomed, or spades, even ones made for planting bulbs more efficiently.
A wheelbarrow may come in handy if you will be moving large piles of dirt, leaves, weeds, or plants. Make sure that you look at the quality of the wheelbarrow you plan on purchasing making sure that it is study and stable. There are both single wheel and double wheeled, and ones with deep sides for large loads, or shallow for smaller loads.
You may need to purchase a garden spade or trowel, and both are ideal for digging. These tools can save your hands and help turn soil in small patches or dig planting holes for bulbs. Looks for spades and trowels that are well made and have good comfortable grips. Some have special padding on the grips.
Hoes and hand weeders can save you time and energy. Hoes are great for chopping and weeding larger areas, and hand weeders do well in slightly smaller or tight areas. There are various shapes and sizes available so make sure that you get one that fits you and the work you want to do.
Steel tooth rakes can be useful for smoothing out soil and getting out large clumps. Spading forks are also good at breaking clumps apart as well as aerating soil. Again, look for tools that seem comfortable to you, checking out handle sizes, weight, and lengths.
Pruning tools are important for cutting down bushes and tree branches. There are hand pruners, ratchet pruners, and loppers. Look at the way the pruners work and select the one that fits the job. Hand pruners work with one hand and many today have great grips. The ratchet pruners are designed to work much more efficiently with a lot less energy. Loppers are just large pruners that need two hands to work and can handle larger diameter branches
Hedge shears and hedge clippers may be needed if you have hedges around your yard. It is important to get hedgers that are comfortable for you to use. Look for a well-made tool with grips that are comfortable. There are both electric, gas powered, and hand powered models on the market
You may need to purchase a pruning saw if you have larger trees and bushes that need to be cut back. Pruning saws come in many different varieties and one should fit your task at hand. There are short handled and long handled pruning saws and bow and straight pruning saws. It is good to get one with replaceable blades, as they do become dull.
You will also need to purchase a good quality hose. Make sure that you get the right length and that the material is durable. There are cheaper plastic versions that do the job, but can kink easily and may become quite soft in the sun. The rubber hoses that are vulcanized are more durable, but also more expensive. There are also different diameters of hoses out there, with the larger allowing more water to get through. Check the diameter of the water outlet you will be using with the hose before buying the hose. Look for nozzles that will work well for your garden with the proper amount of water spraying out and make sure the diameter of the connector matches the diameter of the connector on your hose. Check out the latest in sprinklers as well. There are many different kinds available, with some even looking like sculptures.
So get ready to get your hands dirty. Start enjoying your time in the yard and garden with some efficient tools. A new hoe or shovel may be all you need to really enjoy your time outside.
Article By Karla Soule, June 2004.
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