Gardening Tools

"An apprentice carpenter may want only a hammer and saw, but a master craftsman employs many precision tools."
~ Robert L. Kruse

Most successful gardeners have built up an arsenal of favorite gardening tools and accessories. There's no doubt that having the proper tools is essential to the success of any gardener. It generally takes a few years to build up a cache of quality gardening tools, but with the proper care and handling, they can last for years.

Since beginning gardeners sometimes need a little advice on which gardening tools and accessories to purchase first, we've put together a list of our favorites. Hand Tools Probably the most important hand tool is the trowel. There are all types of trowels on the market, we would recommend that you begin by purchasing a sturdy, well-constructed general all-purpose trowels. This simple gardening tool is essential for loosening the dirt in a garden or pot and for transplanting plants. Common trowel sizes ranges from 3 ﾽ inch blades to 2 inch blades. Bulb planters are a luxury item that many gardeners say they can't live without. They make planting or transplanting flower bulbs such as tulips or daffodils a simple task. To use a bulb planter, simply push it into the ground and twist it. When you've reached the proper depth (there are inch markers on the side of the bulb planter) pull the tool out of the soil and the proper amount of soil is removed.

Tools
Every gardener needs a hoe. Hoes are the perfect tool for heavy garden work. Your first hoe should probably be a draw hoe which is pulled toward the gardener and can be used to perform a number of important tasks such as weeding, digging and making furrows.

An aerator is another essential tool for your gardening tools set. They cut through the hard soil surface and 'work' the soil for two to three inches below the surface of the soil. It is the perfect tool to loosen the dirt around plants or to till a small garden spot.

Other accessories
Since much of gardening takes place on uneven surfaces for extended periods of time, a gardener's knees get overtaxed very easily. We recommend that you purchase knee pads.

Thermometers
An eye-catching, attractive thermometer can be the perfect way to dress up your patio, gazebo or pool area. There are high-quality hand-painted thermometers that depict all kinds of themes. Look for those that are crafted of durable, weather resistant cast resin.

Hose reels
There's nothing more frustrating than having your hose all tied up in knots. It doesn't take long for the new gardener to want a better solution. Take a look at the hose reels available. There are hose reels for every garden decor, from whimsical frog hose holders to classical bird themes; you'll be amazed at the array of hose reels that will keep your hose off the ground and knot free.

Faucet handles
It seems like the decorating flair has touched almost every aspect of the gardening world. Now you can jazz up your faucet handles with all kinds of attractive handles. You can choose from butterfly, dragonfly and frog themes, to name a few popular handle types. A decorative faucet handle is a subtle way of telling your friends and guests that you are a serious gardener and that your yard is your paradise.

As you build your collection of gardening tools and accessories you will notice that your workload decreases and your enjoyment increases. Take some time to develop a plan and set some goals so that before long you have the necessary gardening tools. Happy gardening!