Home gardening is a hobby that comes with direct benefits as it provides food and generates income while still allowing you to follow your passion. However, to succeed in home gardening, you need to have essential tools and equipment, large or small.
While choosing tools for your gardening activities is not a difficult task, picking specific tools depends on the size of your garden and the level of ambition you have with your gardening project.
Read through this post to find essential DIY tools for home gardening.
1. Garden spade and shovel
A spade is an obvious and ideal tool for doing such jobs as planting seedlings, building a flower box, or removing plants. Most people prefer a small hand spade for most gardening; however, a normal full-size shovel might be helpful if you plan to work on large-scale projects.
2. Garden fork
Also referred to as hand rake, garden forks make tilling of small-sized gardens a breeze. These are important tools for preparing the land, weeding, and removing unnecessary debris from the garden.
Garden forks are available in different categories depending on their shapes.
- Straight tine is ideal for digging compacted clay or rocky soil.
- Those with a slight curve are best for turning composite heap or scooping manures in a similar manner as a pitchfork.
- Square tined is much stronger than flattened ones that often bend when they hit a hard surface or a rock.
3. Hand trowel
This is also a basic tool for home gardening that is perfect for transplanting herbs and bedding plants, removing weeds, and planting containers. Follow these tips when you are shopping for a hand trowel.
- Choose a flat blade for carrying more soil or a long, narrow blade for weeding and tilling a rocky garden.
- Go for stainless steel trowel because of their durability.
- Ensure the handle fits comfortably in your hand.
4. Gloves
While gardening can be a fulfilling hobby, it can result in minor injuries. If this happens, you should go for first aid to prevent the spread of the bacteria into the body. You should always have a pair of gloves on every time you are working in the garden.
Remember these tips when choosing a glove:
- Select a glove that fits your hand comfortably. Very tight gloves can cause your hands to have blisters, while a loosely fitting can be uncomfortable working with.
- They should be durable and not bulky, particularly those used for transplanting and working with small seeds.
- Pick fabrics that are water-resistant and breathable for cool and comfortable hands.
- Choose longer scuffs to protect your arm and hands from sustaining injuries, and prevent soil and debris from entering inside your hands.
5. Hoe
Choose a hoe depending on the type of your garden. If you have a perennial garden, you may opt for a thinner, delicate touch hoe, while a vegetable garden may need a strong, wide hoe.
Hoes help with tilling of the garden, cutting down weeds, and prepare flowers and seedbeds.
- Choose a hoe with an appropriate and comfortable handle
- Ensure the blade is sharp, as this will make it easier to work with.
- Stirrup or hula hoes have open square sides that can be pushed back and forth below the soil to cut top growths.
- Hoes that have flat ends are best for turning the soil in vegetable gardens
6. Rake
A rake is also an essential tool for gardening as it helps in whisking away leaves and debris that fall on your yard. While there are several sizes and styles, the best starter is a standard leaf rake.
Conclusion
Gardening is a hobby that should be enjoyed and done in an easy way. Having essential tools will ensure you achieve these quickly. Arm yourself with hand trowels, hoes, gloves, rake, garden fork, and garden spade and shovel for a more enjoyable gardening spree.
