Tools for the Urban Grower.

If you think growing food might become a major interest in your life, then spend time and money on choosing quality tools for the job. This will make a big difference to your gardening.

My brothers are addicted to adventure sports. Over the years, I’ve watched them save their hard-earned money until they could afford the top-of-the-range gear and tools for pursuing their latest outdoor obsession. This gives them peace of mind that they can trust their gear in the field, have the correct tools to do repairs and enjoy the benefits of quality products that last. The old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ certainly applies to the gardening industry, too.

I recently saw a pair of secateurs retailing for under $7. The pair I use go for over $100. Quality cutting tools should be comfortable to hold, cut well, stay sharp, have replaceable parts and, with a bit of TLC, last for many years. I use a sharpening tool, sharpening stone and grease, plus a lubricant/protectant spray to keep them clean, rust-free and working like a dream.

As for the larger hand tools, such as forks and spades, you’ll be applying a lot of leverage and force to these as you dig during the years to come. Think of how fit you’ll be! The old mattocks, shovels and spades we used on the farm as kids growing up are still going strong. Keep an eye out for some of these old gems at garage sales or the local markets before lashing out on new tools. ‘They don’t make them like they used to’ will be the likely reassurance offered by the sun-soaked veteran gardener as he hands you a digging fork that was forged before you were born.

WHAT DO I NEED?

Knowing what tools to buy comes down to the soil and plants you have as well as the type of jobs you’ll do in an average year. We care for urban gardens across the city with a handful of trusty tools, and this is what we use:

–	A pair of scissors and a knife – for cutting twine and other materials; for harvesting.
–	Secateurs – for pruning vines, shrubs and trees; for harvesting. Secateurs will cut branches up to the thickness of your finger. To be honest, you can’t really work in the garden without these guys!
–	Long-handled loppers – the leverage and larger blade will allow you to cut larger, tougher wood.
–	Pruning saw – for making clean cuts through larger branches up to the thickness of your wrist, but you could potentially cut larger pieces, depending on the type of wood. (Branches thicker than your wrist usually require a chainsaw. These machines are quite dangerous, so maybe stick to making your blood orange cake and call in an expert!)
–	Hand trowel and fork – for planting seedlings, shrubs and trees; for garden edging, weeding, repotting, loosening up soil around plants and mixing in fertilisers.
–	Short-handled hoe – for creating rows in the soil, planting crops, digging out weeds and other repetitive soil work, as they are ergonomically better than the trowel for certain jobs.
–	Long-handled spade – for tree planting, hole digging and general garden jobs. The long handle saves your back and gives you leverage. (Short-handled spades are good for smaller courtyard gardens or tighter work areas.)
–	Digging fork – for aeration and mixing of garden soil and turning compost (although you can use a proper compost fork, which holds the material better).
–	Hard rake and soft rake – use the hard rake for levelling soil and the soft rake for gathering together dead leaves and broken twigs for the compost.

OTHER EQUIPMENT

When teaching garden workshops, we often discuss what other materials or equipment one might need to start growing food. The gardening activities you might need to undertake include propagation, repotting, making soil mixes, creating natural garden remedies, harvesting, pruning, composting, worm farming and maintaining the garden.

To get you started, here’s a list of the common items you’ll need:

→	large plastic tub
→	bucket
→	watering-can
→	pump sprayer or small spray bottle
→	roll of jute/twine
→	bamboo stakes
→	gloves
→	plant labels
→	seed-raising pot or trays
→	pH kit
→	packers and mesh for pots and planters
→	small tarp
→	hose and hose nozzle
→	sharpening stone/tool