Gloves
While gardening is a wonderful hobby, it can quickly become a nuisance if you start sticking thorns or chips without the right pair of gloves.
Gloves should be durable, but not too bulky, especially for working with seeds or transplanting seedlings. Fit is important, as ill-fitting gloves can cause blisters or lead to accidents if they slip. Water-resistant, but also breathable, fabrics will help keep hands cool and comfortable. Longer cuffs protect the wrists and forearms from scratches and prevent dirt from entering.
Pruning shears
Pruning shears will help you take control of your plants in their growth. They should fit easily in the palm of the hand and if we need cleaner cuts and do less damage to the plants, the scissors should be sharpened regularly.
There are different types:
- The anvil-style ones cut with a sharp blade that meets a flat, knife-like surface on a board. These are best for dead wood as they can cause crush injuries to fresh, green stems and branches.
- The by-pass ones cut with a sharp blade that passes through a flat surface with sharp edges, more like scissors. These are best for live plants and green wood.
Long-handled scissors
Another cutting tool, pruning shears are basically long-handled pruners that are used to trim hard-to-reach areas and cut thicker branches.
Long handles provide the leverage needed to cut branches up to 2-3 cm or more in diameter. There are types of anvils and by-pass, as well as pruners. Handles usually vary from 40 to 90 cm. Bypass pruners are more accurate in cutting location than anvil-style pruners.
Rake
An efficient tool for removing soil, rakes or garden forks can dig into dense soil better than a shovel. With a slight bend in the spines they are useful for collecting leaves and debris or turning over piles of fertilizer. Straight teeth are better for digging; Ideal for compact, rocky or clayey soils.
Square teeth are stronger than flat teeth, which can bend when they hit a rock or root.
Hand pallet
The essential hand tool, wonderful for transplanting plants in the garden, for planting pots or for removing weeds. Select a broad leaf to move more soil or a long leaf to dig up weeds or rocky soils. The handle should fit comfortably in your hand.
Vanes forged in stainless steel, or at least with a stainless-steel head, are more durable.
Shovel
If you need to dig holes for plants, border, raise grass and move small mounds of earth from one area to another this is your tool. The steps at the top of the blade provide a stronger and more comfortable standing surface when extra push is needed.
Ash wood handles are durable and absorb shock and vibration.
Generally available with long or short handles. Longer handles provide more leverage but are heavier.
Hoe
Your garden will determine the type of hoe you need. A vegetable and fruit garden may require a wide, sturdy hoe.
If you have perennial gardens, you may need a thinner hoe. Hoes are useful for preparing the garden and flower beds and for cutting weeds.
Garden hose with adjustable nozzle
Water is the foundation of your garden life and it is important that the hose can reach and moisten each area, so it is imperative that you calculate the length you will need before buying one. The length of the hose will affect the water pressure: the longer the hose, the lower the resulting pressure.
There are three basic hose diameters: 1/2 inch (1.25 cm), 5/8 inch (1.5 cm), 3/4 inch (2 cm). An adjustable nozzle allows you to control water pressure and spray radius.
Extension rifle
Give your plants a gentle shower with a watering stick. The extended reach is also useful for reaching secluded pots, hanging plants and perfect for all kinds of cleaning tasks in hard-to-reach areas.
It can be disassembled for quick and easy storage. Shut-off valves integrated into the handle conserve water and allow you to adjust the flow.
Showers
There are 2 basic types of showers, plastic or metal. There are hundreds of styles, colors, sizes and options of nozzles. Plastic ones may be lighter than metal ones, but they won’t last as long.
The position of the handle should allow you to fill it and be able to tilt it for easy watering. Two-handle designs allow for better stability for children or elderly gardeners.
Wheelbarrows
If your yard or backyard has soil, compost or leaves to move, or any other heavy lifting and moving projects, a wheelbarrow can help you transport them without realizing it.
Traditional single-wheel, double-handle styles can be more difficult to balance heavy or unevenly distributed loads.
Two-wheeled models with a single handle are easier to balance, better for those with limited force or when driving on uneven terrain.