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Home » Gardening Guides » Tools » Tool Basics » Buying the Right Tool

Buying the Right Tool for the Job

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Donna W. Moramarco

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Photo Credit: Dr. Mark Miller

Different rakes have different purposes.

Good gardeners know that you don’t need every tool under the sun to get the job done – you just need the right tool. Not sure what to use for what garden chore? Here’s some handy information to consider before you dig in!

Spades are garden workhorses. Always buy a decent spade and keep its edge sharp – it will last for years. Uses include: digging; edging beds; trenching; cutting through roots; and slicing open bags of mulch, fertilizer and soil. Let the sharp edge act as a weeding scuffle.
Digging forks are indispensable when it comes to dividing and lifting perennials and root crops in the garden. Other uses include: aerating soil, breaking up soil clumps, incorporating amendments and fertilizer into the soil, and turning over the garden beds when it’s time to plant.
Trowels (and trowels) – you’ll always need more than one. I have a constant collection of trowels at my disposal because I’ve been known to “misplace” a few in the garden! From planting a few bulbs and annuals to vegetable transplants, trowels are the “must-have” tool for all gardeners.
Rakes are another important group of tools, mainly used for grading or removing leaves and garden litter. Know what you intend to use the rake for before you buy one. If you’re grading soil for a new lawn, don’t expect a bamboo leaf rake to do the job – you’ll need a metal grading rake to do it right.

Tips

Want to tell a “real” gardener from a “wannabe?” Look at the way a person holds and uses a trowel. Real gardeners hold the trowel in their fist, thrust it into the soil and pull back with the handle when planting.
Long-handled rakes are great when you’re trying to clean clippings after you’ve pruned or for gathering fallen leaves.

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