Buying Garden Tools Consider: Price/Quality/Durability

If you are new to vegetable growing or gardening you are going to need some basic garden tools to get started. If you are short of cash it is probably better to buy good quality second-hand tools than cheap substandard shoddily made ones which usually prove to be a false economy. Garden items such as forks and spades need to be made of a long lasting sturdy metal a cheap one will soon suffer from the stress of constant repetitive use and will break or bend.

You also need to consider: Who will be using the garden tools when you are buying them?

Buy the right size and weight of Garden Spade or Garden Fork.

You should consider how tall you are and what is the right height (e.g. handle length) for the fork, spade or rake you are purchasing. Also consider the weight of the tools, remember you will be able to work for longer in your garden if the garden tools: garden fork, spade, hoe or rake are comfortable to work with. I believe there is only one way to decide this and that is to visit a shop that sells a good selection of garden equipment and try them by holding the fork or spade and asking yourself is this too heavy for me to work with? Are you going to have to bend excessively because the handle is not long enough? This is even important with a garden rake because the actions required to repeatedly rake the soil in the correct way mean that one that suits you will make the job easier and more enjoyable.

How much do you want to spend?

Searching for the right garden tools at the price you can afford:

Now that you know the make and model of spade, rake, whatever that you want to purchase be patient go home and search the internet for that make and model at a good price. Do not be anxious about purchasing second hand garden tools so long as they are in good condition, some really nice designs were made years ago, the wooden handles will be smooth and polished with wear and your second hand purchase means you are not draining the earths resources of metal/wood. You still need to get something that suits you. For example I can dig very well with a garden fork that belonged to my grandfather it is lighter in weight than some of the modern ones; but I have to use a border spade to dig because it is lighter and suits my height and build. I’m only five foot four tall and a full size garden spade full of wet earth is not a practical choice for me.

Basic Tools You Will Need for Gardening/Growing Vegetables.

So at some point to grow vegetables/ garden you will need at the very least (unless you have a window box):

A Garden Fork.

Uses: to turn the soil, turn compost, lift plants that require splitting, dig up your potatoes & vegetables.

A Garden Spade ( or border spade): To dig with and to turn the soil etc.

*A Rake: ( This will probably not be you number one priority but you will need it eventually to level the soil.)

*A Hoe: To chop the heads off the annual weeds when they pop up between your rows of vegetables. A push-pull one is good if you can get it as it cuts on the push and the pull.

*I have space saving very useful garden hoe/rake tool that has inter-changeable heads, i.e. you remove the rake head and then push onto the handle a hoe or a tilling tool.

You can by cheap hand– trowels and forks and replace them later when you start to save money by eating your own home grown veggies.

You might also need a selection of gloves to protect your hands.

Eventually you will need a shed to store your garden tools in.

 

“Good luck with your gardening /growing may the sun always shine when you need it and the rain always fall at night.”