GETTING STARTED GARDENING TIPS
Garden tools are something every gardener needs. Most gardeners have a large assortment of tools around their house, in their garage, and in their While some garden tools are garden shed. What tools does a gardener need to be ready for anything? If very cheap, others can be very you are new to gardening, here are twelve tools to invest in or have on expensive. Look for good hand. Then you can complete your garden tool inventory with specialty quality tools the first time and tools to fit for your needs. take good care of them year- round and the tools will last you Tool #1 – Gloves – Everyone needs to protect their hands. Look for for a very long time. You may material that will keep sharp plants away from your hands. have to sharpen some tools or Tool #2 – Pruning Shears – Look for ones that will fit your hand size. change handles, but most tools Tool #3 – Loppers – These are long handled shears that will allow you to will be good to use over and trim larger branches and stems. over again. Be careful if you Tool #4 – Garden Fork – For turning the soil and compost. Square tines loan your garden tools to a are stronger than flat tines. neighbor, others may not treat Tool #5 – Hand Trowel – For transplanting vegetables and bedding plants. your tools the way you do. Tool #6 – Spade – For digging larger holes and moving soil around. Tool #7 – Rake – There are many kinds, so know what you want before FAMILY ACTIVITY you buy. Metal tines are stronger but may be harder on delicate lawns. Tool #8 – Hoe – Determine what you want to do, move soil, make rows or On a warm fall afternoon, your weed the garden. Or find one that can do several jobs for now. family can do a garden tool Tool #9 – Garden Hose with an Adjustable Nozzle – Hoses normally scavenger hunt. Everyone will come in either 1/2” (will move 9 gal/min), 5/ 8” (will move 15 gal/min) or 3/4” look for tools in the garden, in (will move 25 gal/min). Remember that water is heavy if you have to move the garage, out in the yard, the hose during watering. Drain the hose before it freezes in the fall. under the deck or maybe in a Tool #10 – Watering Wand – Extend your reach and give plants a rain-like tree! Yes, tools end up shower. Some models are shorter for tight areas. scattered all over your property Tool #11 – Watering Can – Available in many sizes, shapes, colors in and you need to find as many both metal and plastic. Like the hose, water is heavy (about 8 pounds per as you can. Then the fun gallon). You probably want one for indoor and outdoor use. begins! On the back side of this Tool #12 – Wheelbarrow – For hauling those big loads around your sheet are ways to winterize yard/garden. Two-wheel models are more stable and easier to handle. your garden tools. Just like you prepare your garden for the Garden tool wish list: A Hori Hori Garden Knife. Japanese for dig, dig. For winter (next week’s lesson), transplanting and opening bags. Edgers – To be used to trim around the you need to prepare and sidewalk or driveway. And last – A Flame Weeder – Why pull weeds when protect your tools for the long, you can burn them away? Don’t try this one without and adult! cold winter as well.
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Fall Clean-up for Garden Tools
Clean all of your tools with a jet of water from the garden hose and if you really need to get hard to clean areas, use a still bristled brush. Dry all metal tools with a rag and all wooden tools by letting them air dry. Dirty tools will allow metal to corrode and rust and wood to rot. Be sure to wear safety glasses when using a brush. When the metal parts are clean and dry, cover the metal with oil. Linseed oil is a good alternative to motor oil. Some people will get a bucket of sand and add a small amount of oil to the sand. Whenever they use a spade or shovel they will run the blade into the sand and the oil will automatically coat the metal and keep the rust away. Sharpen blades now so they will be ready next spring. If you don’t think you can do this, look for someone that does this service for gardeners in your area.
For cutting tools, look for sap on the cutting blades and remove this with turpentine or paint thinner. Again, like above, look at your cutting tools and see if they need to be sharpened. You may be able to go more than one year without sharpening, but for a good, clean cuts you want to have sharp blades. Check the hinge to see if it is clean and dry before putting the cutting tools away. A small bucket is good to use to keep all the small tools together, but make sure wherever you put the bucket that it will stay dry or your tools will rust over winter.
Check the handles of your tools. Now is the time to replace the handle or completely replace the tool. If your handles are strong and dry, take a piece of sandpaper and run up and down the handle a few times to remove any splinters that may be waiting to get into your hand. Then the last step is to rub a little linseed oil into the wood to keep it from drying out and possibly splitting over the winter. This will help to make your handles last a long time.
Remove all your garden hoses from the faucets and drain all the water from the hoses. This keeps the water from freezing inside the hose which can cause the hose to weaken and possibly break over the winter or when you are using the hose the next summer. Coil the hose and store it inside so the rubber does not deteriorate in the sun. If you hang the hose, use at least two nails so that all the weight of the hose is not on one spot that will weaken your hose.
Hang all your tools inside. Keep them safe and dry. If possible, keep the tools off the floor where they may stand in water and rust.
The last thing to do is to throw away any broken or worn out tools and replace them now when tools may be discounted as stores are clearing out their shelves for other seasonal items.
RESOURCES
Clean and Maintain Garden Tools - https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/clean-and-maintain-garden- tools
Cleaning Up the Garden Tools - https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2018/09/20/cleaning-up-the- garden-tools/
Selecting the Correct Garden Tool for the Job! - https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1992/3-18- 1992/tools.html