Tools and Personal Gear
There is a dizzying array of garden tools on the market, and frankly, more than many of us need. If you are new to gardening it can be daunting to figure out which ones are necessary and which ones are simply nice to have.
First, look for good quality tools. They aren’t cheap, but they last longer and require less-frequent sharpening. In the long run you will spend less money. The best places to find good tools are at nursery supply centers and hardware stores. You don’t need to max out your credit card, but buy the best quality you can afford; you won’t regret it. Look for solid socket construction where the blade or metal part of a tool joins the handle. If it wiggles or seems loose, don’t buy it no matter how great a bargain it may be. Look for tools that have a solid feel to them; not necessarily heavy, but not flimsy.
Take your time when you go to buy tools. Pick up different ones to see how they feel in your hand. Experiment with the motions that you will use in the garden. A tool that feels too big or heavy will be less effective if it causes your hand or arm to tire quickly. Don’t be embarrassed or feel silly for doing this in the store, if anything it will make you look like an expert even if these are your first gardening tools. The following tools and equipment will help you handle all the basic tasks and more.
Shovel: The most useful type of shovel is a combination of shovel and spade. The garden spade is designed for digging into and loosening soil. It has a narrow, flat blade that is usually rectangular in shape with a rolled top edge. A shovel is wider, slightly concave, and designed for moving loose material around. The bottom edge of the blade is rounded to a center point. A combination shovel does both jobs. The blade of the combination shovel is wider than a spade and just concave enough for picking up material. The bottom edge is like a shovel and rounded to a center point. Like a spade, the top of the blade is rolled so you can comfortably place your foot on it and use your weight when necessary for digging. These shovels are available with either a short or a long handle to accommodate people of different heights. Use one with a handle length that will allow you to work without straining your back.
Level-head rake: This type of rake has short metal tines for dealing with material heavier than leaves. The tines are spaced wider apart than a leaf rake. The level-head rake is great for leveling soil, working with mulch, and post-season clean up.
Trowel: This hand tool is indispensable. It looks like a little shovel and is used for digging small holes and breaking up the soil. Like the shovel, there are many types of trowels. The most versatile have a pointed, slightly concave blade. Quality is especially important because the shovel blades of cheap trowels are easily bent. In addition, some trowels have a measurement scale on the blade, which is handy for getting the right depth when planting seeds and bulbs. The trowel is my most-used tool.
Hand rake: Also called a hand cultivator, this tool looks like a claw. It usually has three widely-spaced, curved tines and a short handle. It is good for weeding and keeping the soil loose around the base of plants.
Spading fork: Also called a garden fork, it has four long, strong tines that end in sharp points. It is used for digging and loosening soil, and it is especially useful when dividing the roots of plants for propagation. The spading fork differs from a pitchfork in that its tines are thicker, stronger, and spaced closer together.
Pruning clippers: These are also called pruning shears, hand pruners, and secateurs. They are best described as a type of scissors. Hand pruners have a short, curved blade that is good for cutting stems and branches. While this tool may get a lot more use at harvest time, it is handy for general maintenance throughout the season. There are pruners designed for lefties, too.
Grass shears: These are handy to keep the grass edging neat if your garden borders a lawn because you don’t want to get too close to your herbs with a lawn mower. There are two types of shears: vertical and horizontal, which describes the direction the blades open. Some have a swivel mechanism that allows them to open either way. I find the horizontal easier to use.
Knives, scissors, and a teaspoon: A paring knife or a pair of scissors is handy for opening bags and seed packets. A sturdy old butter knife from the kitchen works well to dig holes when planting seeds and sometimes for weeding. Also raid the kitchen for an old teaspoon, which is helpful when handling seedlings.
Baskets or buckets: It is helpful to have three of these in your gear. Use one to hold your small tools so they are easier to move around the garden as you work. Use another to hold pulled weeds. The third may not be needed until the growing season is well under way, but it’s good to have it handy for flowers or leaves that may be ready for harvesting during the summer.
Watering can: Whether or not you have a garden hose, this is better for watering seedlings and small, delicate plants when they are first put in the garden. The type of spout nozzle called a “rose” has a wide, flat cover with holes that separate the stream of water and helps to moisten plants more evenly. Using a watering can instead of a hose also makes it easier to take care of plants with slightly different moisture requirements because you can selectively water them.
When you are using tools in the garden, be mindful of where you set them down. A rake left on the ground with the tines pointing up becomes a serious hazard should someone step on it. Unfortunately, I speak from experience, having stepped on a rake that I left on the ground. When you are finished working for the day, brush away any soil on the tools and wipe them off with a rag or a paper towel. Taking care of your tools will help them last longer. Store them in a convenient place and keep sharp ones out of the reach of small children.
Personal Gear: Be Prepared, Be Comfortable
When gardening, it is important to be comfortable and protected. Because getting dirty and sweaty is part of the process, it’s a good idea to wear old clothes and shoes. If you are clearing an area for your garden, you may want to wear long pants and sleeves for protection. Also, choose clothing that allows you to move freely. Old sneakers or hiking boots are comfortable choices for foot gear. Remember, you are working with tools and need to protect your feet. When first starting your garden, boots are better as you will be using your feet on a shovel to dig and a boot makes it easier than a sneaker. If your backyard has uneven terrain, as mine does, sturdy footwear can help prevent falls or twisted ankles. Flip-flops are fine when weeding and doing light tasks, but they are not a good choice when digging and raking.
Garden gloves are essential. They save a lot of wear and tear on the hands, especially fingernails and fingertips. Gloves help avoid blisters and protect you from poison ivy, thorns, startled spiders that may bite, or other creepy-crawlies that may not like your presence. Get a pair that fit comfortably and do not feel clumsy. If you need to work in wet soil, a pair of rubber kitchen gloves works nicely.
There are a few other things that will make you more comfortable while gardening. A hat with a wide brim helps keep you cool and protects the eyes and face from strong sunlight. Sunglasses and sunscreen are good to keep in your kit for gardening, too. Also take a bottle of water with you when you head outside so you can stay hydrated and comfortable.
To avoid injury and discomfort, don’t hunch over, keep your back straight while you work, and avoid twisting. Instead of bending or kneeling, try squatting down. It is actually an easier way to work. It may feel awkward at first but it is good for the hips and an antidote for sitting too much. Lift using the power of your legs by bending your knees instead of relying on your back muscles. Gardening is good exercise as long as we do it mindfully.