Eden-Maker Tip
When I was new to gardening, I went crazy buying every tool I could get my hands on.
I wanted to have the best- stocked tool shed, although most of my gardening activity was limited to planting, pruning and transplanting.
In retrospect, I should have been more practical and spent less money on tools and more money on plants!
Do gardeners need all these shovels?
I remember the anxiety I felt facing the tool department those days.
I came in for a shovel and there were so many different types to choose from, I had no idea what I needed!
A straight edged shovel? A pointed shovel? An over sized shovel?
I ended up buying one of each!
Hand tools can be multipurpose or for specific tasks such as hedge trimming
Hand pruners were another source of confusion.
Did I need anvil pruners or bypass pruners?
What size?
Selecting tools for the new gardener can be as daunting as selecting cuts of meat for the novice cook or selecting the proper wine for your cuisine.
Check out this video on basic garden tool selection.
I hope it gives you some direction so you don’t spend money on unnecessary tools like I did!
For more gardening 101 information and garden design inspiration, visit EdenMakers’ Blog.
This blog is quite a nice catch for me today in the information database of Google. The video is very educational… I love gardening so definitely everything about it follows. I have few garden tools at home that help me a lot in doing my garden works fast and easy.
Hi Judy,
Welcome to EdenMakers! You mentioned a few great points regarding gardening tools- there are many sizes available and features that work better for some people over others. I especially like the ergonomic tools and tools made for lefties because it makes use so much more comfortable!
I just left your blog and enjoyed reading about blogs from around the world. Great topic.
Shirley
I’ve discovered a couple of reasons for all those tools — especially the shovels: Personal size and personal preference. I’m short, and my husband — who does most of the digging — is tall. The handle of his favorite shovel is way too long for me. And I don’t think it digs well — it doesn’t fit my style. I have a wonderful little spade that I paid way too much for (or so it seemed at the time) from Smith & Hawken year ago. It’s just my size and it fits the way I work. It’s the one tool I now can’t imagine being without. Rakes, on the other hand, I love to try whatever is new, in the search for the “perfect” one.
Why thanks Anna! I am attracted to tools in general, but I so seem to use the same ones over and over again!
Shirley
The last garden shop I worked for carried tools they thought would attract women. They put them in fancy colors and there they sat for months. If you are raking or digging, you want a work horse and the old standbys. I only have one hoe but I do have the shovels you spoke about plus a long skinny shovel for digging small holes for those gallon containers.
You looked great and presented everything so well.
Philip, I am woMAN, and I need tools too! Thanks for the visit
Shirley
Great video. I am man, I need tools.
Thanks Nancy!
Shirley
Great video and wonderful tool tips! 🙂 (It’s so great to “see you in action”!)