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Don’t Spend Too Much on Gardening Tools

It doesn’t matter what size your garden is, it’s obvious that gardening equipment can certainly make thejob of maintaining your garden a lot simpler.  However there are so many tools available that it becomes hard to know which tools you really need, particularly if you’re new to gardening.  It’s easy to avoid the confusion by just buying everything, but then you’ll be left with no money and a garden shed full of stuff you don’t need.

So which tools are worth buying?  Gardening involves shifting dirt around, so a digging tool is always a useful choice.  If you’re mostly working in pots or containers, then a sturdy trowel is a worthwhile investment.  A shovel is better if you’re going to be shifting large amounts of soil around, or to assist you with planting trees, vegetables and flowers.  It might be tempting to save yourself some effort by choosing a power tiller or plough, but unless you have a very big garden, they probably involve more expense and trouble than they’re worth.

Another useful tool choice is a rake or hoe.  Again, if you’re going to mostly be working in smaller areas, a pot-sized equivalent is a good choice.  These tools are used to smooth soil and remove weeds.  This sort of work can be done by hand, but it’s easier with the right tool, particularly in a large garden.

Although they’re not technically a tool, good gardening gloves are also useful.  It may be worth having a couple of pairs - some heavy duty ones for rough work, and some thinner ones when you need to feel what you’re doing. 

Once your garden is established, then at least one pruning tool is necessary.  Depending on the size of your plants, choose anything from pruners or secateurs through to large tree loppers.  It’s worth spending a little more to buy a solid, reliable pruning tool, otherwise it may be ruined the first time you try to cut anything with it.

A few more tools that you can probably survive without, but will make life easier depending on the size of your garden, include:

- Wheelbarrow
- Garden fork
- Watering can
- Hose & hose reel
- Rake

There’s no doubt, it’s not hard to choose cheap tools, but if you want to use your tools for a long period of time, consider choosing good quality tools as an investment.  Cheap tools generally don’t last as well, and tend to be less durable and easier to damage.  Happy gardening!

To get more information about choosing gardening tools, check out http://www.gardeningzoneonline.com