Choosing Vegetable Garden Tools

You'll need the proper tools to make your vegetable garden most productive. However, you don't need to buy the most expensive tools to get the best out of your vegetable garden plot. A quick walk through a garden center will alert you to the many different tools that are available. Some are quite basic, while others use fancy technology to operate. While your choices may seem endless, this basic list of necessary items will give you a good start with a new garden, or improve an existing one.

What Vegetable Garden Tools Do I Need?

A short list of necessary items includes a shovel, trowel, garden rake, hoe, watering can and a hose. These vegetable garden tools can get you started quickly, but you may need to add other items at a later date. When you are selecting tools, keep in mind the purpose for which they were designed. A shovel, for instance, is a vegetable garden tool that you will use a lot. Take note of the shovel's weight; something too heavy and cumbersome may not be practical. While stainless steel tool heads are the best quality, they are the most expensive. If you purchase a tool that is of a lesser type metal or material, be sure to properly care for it by rinsing it off after every use and storing it for the winter after applying a coat of wax to the head.

For your vegetable garden, tools that have a wooden handle, like hoes or rakes, are able to absorb vibrations easier and puts less stress on your hands, arms and back. However, they can be heavy. Fiberglass handles are lighter in weight but you will feel every bounce and strike off the ground. This may tire you and cause some additional aches and pains. You may also find plastic handles on certain types of shovels or rakes. While the plastic that is used for the handles is of a very durable blend, if you leave these tools outside in the sun, they will become damaged very quickly.

Tips for Tools for the Vegetable Garden

Planting your own vegetable garden will give you personal satisfaction as well as some great tasting produce. Prepare the soil properly first, using a shovel with a flat blade head. Turn the soil completely to allow for proper drainage. The tools you need will also depend on the size of your vegetable garden. For small areas, choose tools with smaller heads, blades and tines. Getting tools that are too large will make working in the garden difficult and you may damage young and tender plants.

If you are planting seeds or plants purchased from a garden center use your trowel to carefully dig up the ground. Be sure to remove any large stones or debris from this area. If the soil is sandy, you may want to add planting mix to improve it. After you're through planting, be sure to gently water the seeds or young plants with your watering can. Don't use a high-powered water spray. With time and the right tools, your vegetable garden will be as delightful as it is delicious.