Gardening tools I cannot do without - Part 2
Gardening tools I cannot do without - Part 2
I am a big believer in using gardening as an exercise, but I also believe in just sitting in the garden with a cuppa or a beer and enjoying just looking at the garden and its wildlife. As I have aged I have changed how I do gardening and have discovered a range of tools that make gardening less stressful on my body. Here are some more.
Grandpa’s Weeder (also known as the Cyclone Standup Weeder) - There are all sorts of weeding gadgets but this one is a winner. It takes the kneeling down and bending over out of weeding. It is great for weeding isolated weeds.
Kneeling pad with handlebars - You know you have reached that ‘certain age’ when you start using one of these. They make it so much easier to stand up after weeding.
A garden cart - These put very little strain on the body and are more stable than a wheelbarrow. They also hold a surprising amount. I rarely use the tipping function. I simply up-end it.
Mulcher/chipper - You need to do something with your prunings. Rather than disposing of them into your green bin why not turn them into mulch for your garden? Get the most powerful you can afford; the bigger the better. Even so they are slow to use and don’t like soft mushy plants (they can go straight into the compost bin).
A pick - Great for breaking up hard or stoney ground. When planting trees and shrubs I always dig the holes with a pick, using it to ‘shatter’ the soil around the hole. I then fill the hole with diluted seaweed solution. This seeps through the crack, further breaking up the soil. Using a pick like this prevents the plant becoming root bound in the hole.
Metal adjustable leaf rake - They last for years and can be adjusted according to what you are raking. You won’t go back to using a plastic rake.
Cast aluminium hand tools. They work well, won’t rust and will only break if you do something really stupid with them (and then only sometimes). Dogs like chewing on their handles so make sure you put them away.
Heavy duty extension cord - Garden power tools are either powered by a rechargeable lithium battery or can be plugged in. Each have advantages and disadvantages. The rechargeable tools are more expensive to buy and will go flat (usually when you most need them) but you don’t need to worry about an extension cord that may not be long enough anyway. They are a little heavier. Plug-in tools can be more powerful and never run out of power. Their range is limited by the length of your extension cord. The cord makes them a little more cumbersome and care must be taken not to cut through it. If you use plug in equipment, get a long, heavy duty extension cord.
The Zen Gardener
