Tips On Building Your Outdoor Tool Collection

You may or may not be a gardener, but you are required to keep some outdoor tools if you have a home with a yard. Actually, you will find keeping up your yard an enjoyable job if you have the right tools with you.

Some of the thumb rules that you must keep in mind when buying tools are as follows:

• Always buy quality tools. For example, the best option is to have tools that have wooden shafts and metal handles.
• Handles having “D” shape will be easy not only on your hands, but also on your wrists.
• Never buy painted tools. This is because paint covers up flaws.
• Prior to buying any tool, get a feel of the tool by subjecting it to the motions that it is supposed to go through. Check the tool’s weight, height and length. You should feel comfortable holding it in your hands.

Tools With Long Handles

You need to have a spade in your arsenal because it can be used for general digging in almost all kinds of soil.

The transplant spade is another tool that comes in very handy. This spade is narrower than the regular spade and it is better suited for confined areas. It is useful for transplanting plants.

You will need a bow rake for leveling mulch, compost, soil or heavy rubble.

Digging forks or pitch forks are helpful in many ways. They are especially good for working on hard soil and are helpful in breaking up an area prior to shoveling. You can also use them to dig up perennials or bulbs for transplanting.

Aside from this, you might also be looking at the need for powered farming equipment, especially if you are planning to plant more crops in a larger area. For example, a roller crimper could come handy to kill unwanted weed that can later serve as mulch for your plants; improve soil quality; reduce the need for chemical fertilizers; and more.

For cutting braches, a long-handled pruner will be of great use. Telescoping type of pruner to cut branches of tall trees is also available.

A push broom helps you to clean up leaves and debris on the pavement (sidewalks and driveways).

Finally, a leaf rake will be of use in picking up leaves, twigs and small debris that are left out on the lawn.

Tools With Short Handles

Tools with short handles are often used for doing specific work in the garden and yard. A trowel or a hand shovel is required for digging shallow holes and planting small plants.

A tool that can be paired with the trowel is the hand cultivator, which is a smaller version of the pitch fork. It just has three bent forks and is helpful in scratching the soil’s surface.

Heavy-duty scissors and shears will be needed for trimming as well as deadheading plants.

Hand pruners, basically shears, can handle up to three-fourth inch thick branches. These are ideal for not only for large bushes, but also for small trees.

The hori-hori, Japanese gardener’s knife, is not essential, but you will find it to be very useful. You can use it to cut root balls, plant bulbs and dig up weeds.

Finally, some of the things that you should not leave out include a pair of gloves, wide brimmed hat, knee pad, twine, buckets, watering can and wheel barrow. When you have the right tools with you, the outdoor chores will become a way for getting some fresh air, exercise and sunshine and exercise!

This is a guest post by Roisin Byrne, check out the Buiness Boutique for more information.