Once made of sticks and sharp rocks, caveman tools for gardening were the best that they had at the time. Our more modern counterparts are often made of steel, plastic and wood, with ash wood being the best, in some folks' opinion. All people of the world seem to have started in similar ways, each generation becoming smarter at these things than the one before it.
In these more modern days of tool production, most tools, both long and short handles, are preferably constructed of wood. Ash is the most popular for this use. It is hard and easily shaped. There may be found tools made of other materials but they may not hold up as well in the long run as the ones made of ash wood. No matter which one is used, the important thing in keeping them in shape is to keep them clean and sharp.
In our modern garden situations, it can take many kinds of tools to adequately prepare, plant and keep up a garden expected to produce an abundant amount of vegetables and fruit. Trimming of permanent plantings may need to be done, as well as new gardens planted each year, with annuals. Hand tools are a great way to begin.
When a little larger garden spot is needed, if it is not too large, a spade can be used to turn over the soil, line by line until you have achieved the size desired. Even a four or five tined digging fork could do the trick. The garden hoe and rake would then be used to break up and smooth out the soil in preparation for seed planting. When growth begins, it will shortly be followed by the dreaded weeds. That same hoe, along with a weeder of some kind, will help you keep ahead of those little rascals.
If, in the beginning, you buy the best tools you can afford, you may save much time and effort due to broken stuff. The better items are usually found in hardware stores and nurseries. Purchase good ones and you can replace the less hardy ones as you can afford to.
As you become more interested and skilled in growing stuff, you may want to add to your outside gear by purchasing electrical or mechanical tools of various kinds. A chain saw, either electric or gas, can keep the larger of the trees and things trimmed up. Hedge trimmers snip off the top of hedges at least faster than hand held ones. A leaf blower and edger/weed eater can keep the grounds cleaned up and shaped crisply. A few added items might be garden hoses, sprinklers, both hand and on-the-ground kind, and perhaps a soaker hose system, when you are really serious.
In these more modern days of tool production, most tools, both long and short handles, are preferably constructed of wood. Ash is the most popular for this use. It is hard and easily shaped. There may be found tools made of other materials but they may not hold up as well in the long run as the ones made of ash wood. No matter which one is used, the important thing in keeping them in shape is to keep them clean and sharp.
In our modern garden situations, it can take many kinds of tools to adequately prepare, plant and keep up a garden expected to produce an abundant amount of vegetables and fruit. Trimming of permanent plantings may need to be done, as well as new gardens planted each year, with annuals. Hand tools are a great way to begin.
When a little larger garden spot is needed, if it is not too large, a spade can be used to turn over the soil, line by line until you have achieved the size desired. Even a four or five tined digging fork could do the trick. The garden hoe and rake would then be used to break up and smooth out the soil in preparation for seed planting. When growth begins, it will shortly be followed by the dreaded weeds. That same hoe, along with a weeder of some kind, will help you keep ahead of those little rascals.
If, in the beginning, you buy the best tools you can afford, you may save much time and effort due to broken stuff. The better items are usually found in hardware stores and nurseries. Purchase good ones and you can replace the less hardy ones as you can afford to.
As you become more interested and skilled in growing stuff, you may want to add to your outside gear by purchasing electrical or mechanical tools of various kinds. A chain saw, either electric or gas, can keep the larger of the trees and things trimmed up. Hedge trimmers snip off the top of hedges at least faster than hand held ones. A leaf blower and edger/weed eater can keep the grounds cleaned up and shaped crisply. A few added items might be garden hoses, sprinklers, both hand and on-the-ground kind, and perhaps a soaker hose system, when you are really serious.
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Learn more about raised garden beds. Stop by HomeFellas where you can find details about raised bed gardening.
