Selecting Basic Tools to Start Gardening With

The size of your garden and how you plan to start gardening will to a degree dictated which garden tools you need.

Before choosing any garden tools, there are three things to look for;

Balance

If the garden tool you use is not well balanced then work gets much harder for you, it may not seem a lot but ever little helps - and the easier it is the more enjoyable!

To find the balance point of the tool simply hold it in your hand and find the point at which it balances, this should not be too close to the blade and as close to the middle of the tool as possible.

Weight

Weight is not just about a tool being too heavy; it can be too light as well. If the weight is wrong it can
affect your confidence in it. Too heavy and you cannot wield it properly. Too light and you don't have the weight to carry it through its stroke without extra effort from you.

Size

The size of the gardening tool is not about how much mud or earth you can shift in a singe stroke, and more about comfort and not doing yourself an injury. Choose a tool suitable in height for you to use in a comfortable position or if a hand tool, one that fits the size of your hands comfortably.

Above all gardening should be enjoyable, and if you're comfortable the work is that much easier!

For every gardener the most basic tools you will need are a Trowel and Hand Fork. These gardening hand tools come in various materials and quality, and of course costs but you should with proper care, keep them for many years - So in my opinion you are always best going for quality. The choices available are fairly straightforward but I have broken them down below.

Blade:

o Steel
o Stainless Steel
o Copper/ Bronze
o Plastic

Handle:

o Wooden
o Metal
o Plastic / Rubber

Prices range from a few pounds to upwards of twenty pounds for nice gift quality ones.

The Fork and trowel will be sufficient for the gardener who only has a few pots on their balcony or a window box, but if you have a garden or yard then you are going to need a few more.

Next in the tool shed for the budding gardener should be a digging spade, now again these come in various materials and qualities But the basic materials for the blade are; carbon steel or stainless steel the later of these being lighter and easier to maintain, but of course often pricier. The handle will generally be of wood, plastic or metal this is one of preference, but care should be taken to ensure the handle grip is comfortable to hold and there are no edges to rub you (sore hands soon make for hard work).

There are many different takes on the hand grip but it really only boils down to two; T-shape or Y-shape. T-shaped handles are where the shaft of the tool meets the handle and forms a simple T. Y shape is where the shaft is split and opened out, and the hand grip inserted between the two halves, the choice is yours.

A Digging Fork is also going to be needed, the same materials and handle styles apply just the same as the spade, often you will see these two sold as a set. Just be sure that they are both right for you if buying like this.

Another tool that is essential for the new gardener are secateurs, like scissors only designed to cut foliage and small branches. Secateurs range in price, quality and sizes so choose carefully. The best option here is get a set that you find comfortable and can open fully in one hand, and then close again. Beware of the cheaper plastic moulded handles as the can have a habit of pinching your hand when you close them and soon become uncomfortable to use.

Other items that the novice gardener will find indispensable are a watering can (with rose - to sprinkle the
plants in a controlled manner).

The tools mentioned are a basic collection for the new gardener, and will allow you to accomplish most tasks, there a many gadgets and specialty tools on the market that as your skills develop so will you desire to own some of them, but to start with stick to the basics and happy gardening

paladin tools 901081 coax ready deluxe tool kit, fenix tk35 led flashlight black 820 lumens battery bundle, cold steel espada with polished g10 handle, arrow fastener et155 proshot 3 electric heavy duty staple gun, watts pex wpcct 6 ratcheting c inch clamp easy one hand tool for 38 inch 12 inch and 1 inch stainless steel c inch clamps, stiletto ti12sc 16 ti 12 ounce smooth face hammer with a curved 16 inch hickory handle, streamlight 76810 polystinger ds led flashlight without charger black, wilton columbian vise 5 12in bench mount, bosch 11536vsr litheon 36 volt lithium ion 1 inch sds plus rotary hammer, surefire m620v v series scout light weaponlight maximum 150 lumens white and ir output, e z red 5 piece metric double box universal spline ratcheting wrench set ezrrm6, gearwrench 9702 13 piece flex head combination ratcheting wrench set sae, snap on industrial brand cdi torque 1002cf3 drive computorq 3 electronic torque wrench 38 inch, gearwrench 3887 tap and die 75 piece set combination sae metric, cold steel san mai trail master kraton handle cordura sheath, benchmade osborne mini barrage knife, streamlight 75832 stinger ds led flashlight with acdc piggyback, inova t4qm hb rechargeable 5 function led flashlight, knipex kni002006s2 3 pc plierswrench set, tri electronics gt express mini electronic gold tester