My Favorite Tools

Gardening would not be possible without the tools and every gardener has his/her favorite. The first tool I recommend is a pair of gloves, actually two sets of gloves so that one pair can be used while the other is in the wash. Granted there are some jobs that require the sensitivity gained by using bare fingers, but a majority of garden jobs may be done withle protectingyouor hands with gloves.

My second favorite tool is called a farmer's weeder. It has a 6-inch blade that is smooth one one side and serrated on the other plus a strong, comfortable to hold handle. Mine was bought from a company that advertised the tool for treasure hunting on beaches, but I suspect that more of these tools are sold for gardening use thatn for any other purpose. This tool can pry weeds, roots and all out of the ground as well as dig holes for fall bulb planting. The inch markings on the blade make it easy to dig a hole of the proper depth for each kind of bulb.

Bypass pruners are great for trimmingplants as well as cutting stubborn roots and stems. The curved blades work like scissors holding and easily cutting small branches and rose stems. Felco is a well known brand name of bypass pruners. Other well-known brands include Corona and Fiskars.

Gardeners can transport plants, soil or mulch using a wheel barrow or garden wagon. Wheel barrows are designed to make it easier to move and maneuver heavy loads because part of the weight of the load is carried on the front tire. The wheelbarrow bowl is also a convenient container to mix soil in. Wheel barrows may tip if theoperator is not careful and some gardeners may prefer a cart of wagon to do their hauling. Carts with a front gate that drops will allow soil and other heavy items to be more easily removed.

Rain does not always arrive when we want it and so watering cans and hoses are also essential tools.

Hoses that are kink resistant and long enough to reach all parts of the garden will reduce some

gardening frustration. Shoreter hoses connected together may leak at the connection points.

Soaker hoses connected together may leak at the connection points. Soaker hoses have holes in the

sides and are designed to allow water to slowly leak out and water the soil without washing it away from

the plants. Watering cans should have a device known as a "rose" on the spout that allows the water to

be gently sprayed on the plants rather than poured. The rose has many holes sprayed on the plants rather than poured. The rose has many holes that keep the force of the water from damaging plants. A well designed watering can is balanced with handles that allow the user to control the force and accurate delivery of water even when the can is full.

Spades with long narrow blades often used for digging drainage ditches make excellent tools for planting new plants or transplanting existing ones. Garden Forks are also useful for lifting plants for division or moving without root damage. Kneeling pads are last on my list of favorite gardening tools. Experiment and see which tools will make your gardening job easier and more fun.