Gardening Tools

Without doubt gardening is easier with the right tools, in fact an essential part of so many chores in any garden is selecting the right tool. And when selecting them you do need to look for durable and weatherproof qualities. We help you select the best from a long list, as well as give a few tips on maintaining garden tools in good condition.

Basic garden tools, these are the hand tools such as spades, shovels, nursery barrows, and watering cans can certainly make gardening chores easier and well maintained quality tools are easy to use and last for many years.

As a guide Garden Tools are built to a price, cheap tools may do the job however they rarely last, so what do you need to look for in quality gardening tools. However , the most expensive is not always the best, you need to find a product that is right for you, as well as being sturdy and reliable. When selecting garden tools look for :

Garden tools and products include Power Tools such as hedge clippers and mowers, Greenhouse Kits, digital timers, fertilizer injectors, watering cans, forks, stainless steel tools, ph test kits, garden clothing and water saving products are all an important part of gardening.

And what are our favorite garden tools.

We use 'felco secateurs', they last for years, you can get replacement blades and parts and are a pleasure to use, don't go into the garden without them

We have a 'Wolfe' garden fork, we have only ever owned four garden forks, one was actually belonged to my great grandfathers, strong, a pleasure to use and it lasted to so many years it is unbelievable. We did by a new fork about 10 years ago, and it lasted about 18 months, went back to using grandpas, we then found a nice looking 'new design' garden fork, it bent a prong after two weeks, and it was stainless steel.

So we went back to grandpas, the handle broke, well after 50 years it was about time, so we found a Wolfe garden fork for sale, it has been a real beauty, feels great to use, and it might just last as long as grandpas.

Oh yes, we are fixing the handle on the old fork, but I have a feeling I like the feel of the Wolfe one just a little more.....

We also like our wheelbarrow, pruning saw and a little hand fork for weeding... very handy

Maintenance

The first step is to always put garden tools away clean. A quick wash and a wipe of the blades with a slightly oily rag will do the job.

Sharpen regularly, its much easier to run a stone or a file over the blade of a pair os secateurs every two months than it is to try to bring them back from being really blunt. They will be easier to use as well.

Wooden handles will last for many years. If you use a mix of linseed oil and turpentine (50/50) twice a year they will outlast most gardeners. Simply rub it in with a soft cloth at the beginning of winter, and again during summer.

• Rub a little of this on the blades of spades and forks as well before putting them away for the winter.

Sterilize. Before using and cutting tool make sure it is clean, a rub with tea tree oil will do the job.

Secatures

Regarded as one of the most important of all garden tools secateurs are the one gardening tool that many keen gardeners do not step into the garden without. And as for nurserymen, well they are essential tools of the trade.

But which ones and what type are the best ?

You can pay a lot of money for good secateurs and they are used for pruning and trimming plants on a daily basis. But how do choose a good pair and how much should you pay.

Ranging in price from around $20 up to $130 you might think that the most expensive are the best, not always true. What you are looking for is ease of use and cutting ability and these two do not always match up to price.

Ease of use is related to weight, balance in the hand, the ease and reliability of the safety catch. Cutting performance is related to the amount of effort needed to make a cut but also the cleanness of the cut.

Two types of secatuers are available, the anvil and the bypass. Bypass are the most common, they work with a two bladed a sharp curved top blade and a bottom blade. The anvil type have a top blade and an anvil that the top blade cuts to.

So how to choose

• Look for strong handles
  
• A safety catch is a must, however many of the thumb operate catches do get stuck after a while.
  
• Look for a style that fits your hand
  
• Good quality steel is important
  
• As for bright coloured handles so you wont lose them, not really a factor we would consider when looking for gardening tools.