No matter what sort of gardening you do, you will need some form of gardening tools to assist you. Garden tools come in all shapes and sizes and are made from a variety of materials these days. All materials have pros and cons associated with them, but some tips on buying and maintaining them might help save you time, money and effort. The thing to do is go into the market armed with information and make your own decision about the garden tools that are best for you. Like any implement you are going to use frequently, the tools you chose should work well for the purpose they are designed for and give you satisfaction every time you use them. So when purchasing: Determine what you need and test the range available for weight and balance.Spend as much as you can afford to get a good quality tool as it will last you many years.Materials are important. Fibreglass handled tools are strong and lighter in weight but reverberate with every strike and can be tiring to use all day. Wooden handled tools will absorb vibration but are generally heavier.Aluminium handles are generally used for long handled tools, such as pruners to make them more manageable. They are suitable only for lightweight working chores where no leverage or lifting will be applied.Plastic is often used for handle ends on shovels or heads on rakes. The plastic blends are much stronger these days as a material but can perish and split if left in sunlight.Carbon steel tool heads are generally good value but can be subject to rusting. They should be wiped clean after use with an oily rag to prevent rust forming on the surface.Stainless steel tool heads are generally good quality but can be expensive to purchase. They won't rust but may stain if not cleaned after use. Once you have chosen your tools, maintain them. For hand tools a small sharpening stone will keep blades sharp and working well. For larger hand tools, a medium grade file will keep metal edges sharp so they perform at their peak.Wipe down your tools after use and put them in a dry storage space. Constant dirt and weather exposure will damage all tools, no matter what they are made of.Safety first. Stepping on a rake hidden in grass can do real damage (despite how funny it is in the cartoons!) Consider using a fluorescent spray paint on tools that may be hard to see in the garden. Hang up your long handled tools if possible to avoid them getting blunt and becoming a tangle in the shed.The garden tools you choose will be with you for a long time and should perform well if taken care of. |
