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Tools every gardener needs
While each of us might plough a lonely furrow from time to time, the job can be a lot easier with the right garden tools
Having the right tools makes your garden jobs easier and can save you a lot of aches and pains in the long run. Don't be daunted by all the various sizes and shapes of garden tools in your DIY store. Most of those tools are either used by butch men once in their life for massive jobs or they are the latest trendy must-have for this season's garden fashionista.
A few well chosen and good quality tools are all that most gardeners need to keep them and their gardens in good shape.
Here, the tools that need to be in your potting shed.
- Border Spade
- Border Fork
- Trowel
- Secateurs
- Loppers
- Pruning Saw
- Rake
- Bucket
- String
The tools can be divided into two sections: spade, fork and hand tools in one section and then the cutting tools - secateurs, loppers and pruning saw in the other. The rake, bucket and string are extras that you'll find useful for lots of jobs around the garden.
How to choose?
Spades and a trowel
The spade will till, plant, cut, edge and divide (splitting your plant into several pieces once it has grown too big - carried out in autumn). Because the spade is such a workhorse make sure that you buy one that 'fits' you. Make sure it's a comfortable height for you and that you can lift it easily. After all, when you're toiling in the garden, you don't want the additional strain of carrying a heavy tool. The handles can be made of plastic, wood or carbon steel; choose whichever feels comfortable. The most important part of the spade is the digging part - it should be stainless steel which ensures mud slips off it easily, it won't rust and it will remain sharp even with frequent use. The border spade is a smaller size which is more comfortable for women and ideal for most garden maintenance jobs as its use isn't restricted to tending borders. Should you need a bigger digging spade, you might want to consider calling that butch man and get him to do it and save yourself the trouble.
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