Tips on Gardening Tools

Caring for a garden may seem tricky, especially for those just starting out. But just like starting out any new task, all beginners need is a good guide, the right resources and of course some practice. Once you get the hang of it, with a bit of determination throughout the whole process, gardening can be easy and fun as well.

An integral part of gardening is having the right kind of tools. Your tools, along with the plant’s other basic needs, are your best friends when it comes to cultivating your garden and honing your green thumb. Below are a few basic guidelines on how to find and appropriately use and manage your tools for a successful gardening venture.

• Splurge on your tools even if there are alternatives for sale at half the price. The best tools that your money can buy can last you a several number of years whereas cheaper ones last you only 2 years at most. This will save you from purchasing new ones over and over again, costing you more than if you spent on quality tools.

• Shop for tools at a reputable dealer and always check what they are made out of before you pay for them. Tools made with steel will last you a good number of years without bending while tools made out of stainless steel are equally durable but with the additional advantage of being rustproof. Tools with hard ash handles are ideal because they won’t break or splinter even when used for tough projects.

• Keep smaller tools in a basket and stored up in your garage. This way, not only are they organized but also easier to carry around in case you need all of them at once. Make sure to return them after use so they are easy to locate when you need them again.

• Have a bucket of sand and some machine oil in handy to clean and maintain your tools. This is especially useful when it comes to digging instruments that are prone to rust. After use, rinse the tools with water and dry them thoroughly. Insert them in a mixture of sand and oil. The sand will remove the debris while the oil will coat the metal, retarding the onset of rust.

• To organize and keep your larger tools like rakes and shovels from toppling over, tie a topless and bottomless can or plastic container to a post or a fence. This way you can slip the handles to keep them together and upright.