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Home Vegetable Gardening - Tools Of The Trade

Gardening and backyard vegetable patches are not to be left merely up to commercial and professionals! It is feasible and attainable for anyone and everyone! You can even get the family and kids involved.

Moving from concept to reality will require some stamina and hard work, but it will be worth its weight in produce when the crops start rolling in. You do not have to be on your knees, stooped the whole time, to participate in this rewarding activity. There are a variety of quality tools and aides available to you to assist you in these tasks. They do not have to be backbreaking or tough on your joints and knees. Various modern tools of the trade enable and facilitate our gardening today, regardless of the size, shape or scope of your veggie garden. Garden tools are also pretty affordable and of robust manufacturing that will probably end up lasting you a lifetime, getting you good value for your investment over time. It saves time, ,effort and labor down the line too, if you pick the best and most appropriate tools for the different tasks. Making your job/tasks at hand easier is what this is all about. You are focused on results, NOT THE MECHANICS OF the process alone or at all for that matter.
Building up you arsenal of garden tools over time is the best way to do it too, adding annually to grow your collection so to speak, will not leave a too big hole in your pocket.

Some tools have surprisingly also remained similar and true to their roots, origin and original intended purpose, withstanding time and change. The simplest tools can make the world of difference. Try to familiarize yourself with as much of the functionality of these tools that you can.

Whether the tools are for preparing the soil, feeding and cultivating the ground, planting the seed, or protecting crops from insects and disease, even picking and harvesting your crop, there are numerous utilities at your disposal, like the plans, schedules, checklists and records mentioned before, that can make your veggie gardening life a lot easier!

Here is an eclectic sampling of some of the tools a backyard gardener should not be without or at least consider for starters:

Garden Spades

typically used for digging, turning soil, breaking ground
Also cultivating garden plots, borders, rows and beds.
Function: break and move
Selection: A wide variety of spades are available, different shapes and sizes
What to look for: Good handle and stores easily

Spading-Fork

often used and preferred for it is slightly lighter
Easily breaks up solid pieces of ground
Also good for leveling or smoothing

Ordinary Gardening Fork

handling manure and gathering up trash, weeds,
very common and popular tool to use
Five or six-forked, slightly up-turned edges
D-shaped handles are often more convenient and comfortable for garden use.

Preparation tools like the hoe, or hook, and the iron rake (even a hand-plow)
wide, deep-bladed types are considered better
Most prefer the hook or prong-hoe for better functionality
Penetrate the soil and even sub-surfaces effectively
Try and find tools that are adjustable, and for different soils (even sod or other rough ground)
Can also be used to add some unique finishing touches, leveling off and fining the surface of the soil
An iron rake can have similar effects. Try and find and buy tools that are robust, less likely to get broken, and easier to use.
Mastering basic gardening skills like backward-and-forward movement of a rake will become almost like second nature to you in no time flat!

A seed-drill
Enabling accurate and hassle-free planting
marking seed rows, furrowing and dropping the seeds in all in one easy step
ensuring the proper depth and distance with ease
Covering and firming the surrounding soil

Garden Hoe
Preferably, find one that is somewhat lighter and smaller, quicker and easier to handle.
It saves time getting things done effectively and rounding things off professionally

Weeders

look for tools that lessen the work and is easy on the knees and back (no stooping required)
Depends on the soil and methods you choose work. Angled blades are best getting in small places
Weeding regularly with the right tool is essential, catch them even before they start; do so in softer/wet soil when they are easier to pull up root and all!

Tools are helpful utilities if selected and used properly, also stored, cleaned and cared for appropriate. Kept maintained, bright and sharp, in good condition all round, will ensure hours of gardening pleasure and fun, as well as fruitful reward when the crops start rolling in.

Here are some general care and maintenance tips for your garden tools to keep them in tip-top shape, delivering and working at their utmost best for you:

Wipe them clean
Never put them away wet or with dirt on them
Avoid rust and deterioration – store in cool and dry place
Keep their edges sharp
Have some additional spare handles in stock in case of accident
Stay current and get some implement catalogues for new and trusted tools

When it comes to treating and caring for your garden there are tools to help you with this task as well.

They can be divided into TWO MAIN TYPES

(i) protecting plants (mechanical tools)
(ii) applicators (insecticides/fungicides)

Covered Frame

oftentimes a custom wooden box, (18” to 2’ x 8’ high)
with some netting or even protective covering like glass of chicken wire)
Retains heat, moisture and protects the plants from cold or extreme heat
Keeping plants safe early in the starter phases are very important

Stiff, Tin, Cardboard Or Tar Paper Collars
inches high
placed around the stem
penetrates an inch or so into the soil
positioning, support and protection

Powder Gun Or Hand-Power, Compressed-Air Sprayers
applying poison powder or wet sprays,
different nozzles and misters
non-clog and automatic types are seen as more desirable
For larger gardens, consider a barrel pump and extension rods for fruit-trees or vines for example.
Look for tools that preferably throw a continuous stream or spray larger capacity (less trips to refill)
Brass withstands the chemicals better

Harvesters
loosening root-type veggies like onions, beets, turnips
cutting spinach, carrots, parsnips or deeply rooted veggies might require a puller with some leverage to not strain or hurt your back. Fruit-pickers with long handles are best for orchards and larger trees.

Garden care Utilities like pruning knifes and a pair of pruning shears
Plant supports
such as stakes, trellises, wires, and more
enables cultivation and easy access, ,as well as beautification and that professional look added to your garden

Ask and answer yourself when it comes to the tools you opt to use in your garden:

What types are available?
How much does it cost?
What are its features, strengths, shortcomings?
Look for comfort and ease of use, no strain.
How to care and maintain the tools best.

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