By Jackie Sledge
Big Country Master Gardener Association
Every gardener needs tools. Lots of tools. There are so many types of garden tools that it is a little difficult to determine what we need and why we need certain tools.
I am in the process of straightening up the garage and the storage shed so I am putting all the garden tools in one place to see exactly what I have, what needs a little attention, and what I need to put on my wish list. I have discovered that my husband and I have amassed quite a collection over the years because we have purchased a number of garden tools since we got married plus the ones we were “gifted” from our parents and grandparents when they were cleaning out their sheds. It seems like I always use the same ones, but now I am taking the time to see and feel every tool we have so I can select my favorites.
Gardeners need useful tools. Gardeners need the right tool for the job, and here is a list of the tools every gardener should have:
- Every gardener needs a shovel. If you think you will ever need to dig a hole (that is a crazy statement since every gardener will dig holes), you need a good shovel. Shovels come in a variety of sizes and shapes so everyone can find one to fit their height and strength.
- Another must-have tool is a good hoe. All garden hoes are used for the same purpose, which is to loosen soil, remove weeds, dig, and make mounds and trenches, but they do not all look alike. According to one source, there are 48 different kinds of hoes organized into 5 categories: (1) Digging hoes for digging and tilling with a chopping action; (2) Draw hoes for weeding with pulling/scraping action; (3) Reciprocating hoes for weeding with a scrubbing action; (4) Flat hoes for weeding with a push-pull action; and (5) Sweeping hoes for weeding with a sweeping action. The handles can also be of a variety of materials and lengths.
- Garden forks are especially useful to loosen soil or to mix compost into soil. They can be used for digging, dividing plants, or lifting weeds or grass when cleaning out beds. They also come in a variety of handle lengths and materials.
- Every gardener needs a rake or rakes. A garden rake is flat across the top and made of steel. It is perfect for smoothing soil surfaces or leveling paths. A leaf rake is fan-shaped and perfect for corralling leaves in the fall.
- A trowel is a must-have hand tool. Every gardener needs to get down on their knees to work the soil to plant seeds, seedlings, or bulbs so a trowel is the perfect tool for any planting job.
- The last, but certainly not least, tool that every gardener needs is a pair of pruners. Pruners come in so many styles and sizes that there is one to fit any job as well as any size hand.
There are a number of other items that are important for gardeners – garden kneelers or seats, saws, watering cans, hoses, spreaders, tillers, hori hori knives, tool caddies, buckets, plus power tools for larger jobs. The list of items for gardeners is almost infinite.
Tools Part 1 provides information about what tools gardeners need. Tools Part 2 will cover how to clean them and how to store them. You might go ahead and get your tools together so you can see what you have, and then you will be ready to learn how to clean and store them properly.
BCMGA offers several education programs each month. There is a program at 6:00 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the South Library Branch in the Mall of Abilene, and the same program is offered again at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Friday of the month at the Downtown Library. There is a Saturday Seminar on the last Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at the Taylor County Extension Office Conference Room. Watch the BCMGA website and Facebook page for the topics and dates of these monthly programs.
If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048 or email us at mgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you visit bcmgtx.org for information on all Big Country Master Gardener events, like us on BCMGA Facebook, and check out training presentations on BCMGA YouTube. We are here to help you.
