Why Buy Quality Tools for your Garden?
My wife enjoys gardening as much as I do. But to get her to spend the equivalent of a good night out on a gardening tool can be extremely difficult. Although, thanks to a purse it may well become a lot easier. Let me explain.
First off, you should know my wife is Vietnamese. And even though my ancestry is part Scottish the Vietnamese are hands down on being “more canny” with money.
Cheap versus Quality.
She has been buying one style of “purse” over the last 2 years and while they look nice, they tend to break after a few months. After investing in 5 of them, for all of them to go the same way, she has finally decided to upgrade.
I asked her why she decided to change and her answer was……
- It avoids frustration. Just when you want to use it, you can’t because it’s broken.
- Easier to use. The quality of the material used ( e.g. the zipper in this case ) reflects in the ease of use.
- Warranty. None of the cheap models of purse came with an effective warranty. Only with the more expensive “goods” you receive will you get a good warranty. ( In the purse scenario anyway)
So, Why Quality Tools?
It is pretty much the same reason for all products and services that are on offer these days. A good company promotes good tools and if you purchase these you will not be continually replacing your “bargain” products.
- Materials. The metal that a garden tool is made of is perhaps the most important feature. While most garden tool makers are constantly looking for cheaper, thinner metals to utilize in their tools, superior quality toolmakers will only use the best metals available.
For the handles, these tool makers select only the straightest grained hardwood.
The only reason to cut corners with inferior “materials” is to save a few cents on each product. - Company – The nature of the company that creates the garden tool, “shines” through with the same brightness as the gardening tool itself. Some of the older and more established family-owned businesses understand the time and work required to manufacture a quality garden tool.
- It’s an Investment. With careful maintenance, a good tool can survive for decades. It makes no difference if you’re talking about a spade, a shovel, or anything else. Investing in quality now will save you from having to replace a substandard tool later. And it’s not something you should have to do repeatedly.
- Clean Cuts. Whether you’re pruning a tree with secateurs or cutting a hedge with shears, it’s necessary to get a clean cut every time. Because a clean-cut causes less harm to the branch. And insects and diseases have a harder time getting in and causing problems. A high-quality tool will hold its sharp edge for longer and will not require as much sharpening as a low-quality tool.
So, in my opinion, rather than buying cheap gardening tools, invest a little more and purchase the highest-quality tool that you can afford. Make sure you have enough left for the plants as well.
You will not be sorry!
What are the Basic and most Essential Gardening Tools?
There are so many garden tools, gadgets, and accessories available that deciding which one is best for your outdoor projects can be overwhelming. However, there are a few items that practically everyone uses on a daily basis. So let’s get down to business and have a look.
Hand-Trowel
A trowel is a small hand tool that is used to dig at ground level and small holes for planting seeds, gauging soil depths, and digging up tough weeds. Look for a trowel with a narrow, robust blade (stainless steel is a good choice) that will readily cut into the dirt and has a comfortable grip.
Shovel or Spade?
Both spades and shovels are useful equipment to have, but if I had to choose between the two, I’d select the spade. The edges of a spade are fine, straight, and clean. It’s also useful for transplanting, potting, and chopping tough roots.
Shovels are useful for scooping and transporting larger volumes of earth, but they don’t cut as well as a spade. Whichever you choose, make sure it has a comfortable, ergonomic design with a strong handle and a sharp cutting edge. Or, better yet get one of both.
Garden cart or wheelbarrow
A wheelbarrow or garden cart allows you to get a lot done in a short amount of time and transports material that is too heavy to carry across the yard. Compost, mulch, dirt, stones, plants, tools, garden debris, and more may all be transported with it. A decent barrow should be durable and well-balanced so that you can easily wheel it with a full load without it tipping.
Secateurs and shears.
Garden secateurs, often known as pruning shears, pruners, or clippers, are highly helpful hand tools in the garden. You’ll need them to shape and trim plants and shrubs, as well as to remove dead growth. It’s worth investing in a decent pair of secateurs because they’ll last a long time, keep sharper for longer, handle thicker branches, and are generally more pleasant to use.
Saw.
Shrubs and trees will need to be shaped and pruned from time to time, not to mention the woody weeds and vines that must be dealt with. When secateurs aren’t cutting it, a bow saw will get you through most of the tougher cutting jobs in the garden.
Rakes.
Before planting, rakes are used to remove stones, rocks, and trash from the ground. They can also be used to level and smooth the soil’s surface. So, they are definitely on the buy list.
There are many types of rakes on the market and you may find you want to add a few varieties of rakes to your collection to suit different needs.
If you are just starting to put together your collection of quality tools, don’t buy more than one initially. See how it works in your garden and decide after that.
Watering Hose.
You can’t always count on rain, and a “watering-can” may not be feasible, depending on the size of your garden or the number of plants you need to water.
Choose a hose length that allows you to effortlessly reach every part of your yard, and one with internal”ribbing” to stop twisting and blockages.
Select a hose with a nozzle to adjust the spray pattern and extend the reach of your spray. If you only have a small area to water or don’t have easy access to an outdoor tap, watering cans are ideal. A hose, on the other hand, is a must-have for this list.
Gardening Gloves.
If you’re working outside, you’ll need a good pair of gardening gloves. Gloves protect your hands from scratches caused by pruning your roses or cutting back dead branches, as well as blisters from any repetitive work.
A heavy-duty pair is good for pruning, digging, moving material, and other demanding tasks. A lightweight pair is usually coated with latex, or rubber to keep your hands dry and give you more gripping power. It also allows you to do more delicate tasks like picking up seeds or transplanting your plants.
Or tasks that may mean your hands will get wet. Hydroponic gardening comes to mind.
Garden Hoe
A garden hoe is your greatest buddy if you’ve ever weeded an entire garden, removed unwanted roots, moved a lot of soil, or dug trenches. It should surely be on your “Basic Essential Gardening Tool List.” A quality garden hoe can easily chop through stubborn soil and overgrown weeds or plants.
You’ll need a garden hoe whether you’re digging, cutting, planting, cultivating, or weeding your garden or flower bed. A garden hoe is a definite A-lister.
Knee Pads
Knee pads can assist relieve pressure on your knees in the garden. Kneeling is more gentle on the back than crouching or squatting. Bring a stool out to the garden to sit on if both postures are too painful, or simply sit on the ground.
Conclusion.
There are many more “must-have” tools that fall just outside my top 10. However as a guide to steer you in the right direction, the above tools are, in my belief, ones you can not do without. Feel free to comment on anything that you think should have been included in the above list.
Who Am I?
My name is Stephen and I like traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures, but in my heart of hearts, I am an avid gardener.
I am also the author of this article and the owner of this Website. You can check out the flowers of Vietnam in the latest TET holidays of 2022
