| No matter what sort of gardening you do, you will | | | | perish and split if left in sunlight.Carbon steel tool heads |
| need some form of gardening tools to assist you. | | | | are generally good value but can be subject to rusting. |
| Garden tools come in all shapes and sizes and are | | | | They should be wiped clean after use with an oily rag |
| made from a variety of materials these days.All | | | | to prevent rust forming on the surface.Stainless steel |
| materials have pros and cons associated with them, | | | | tool heads are generally good quality but can be |
| but some tips on buying and maintaining them might | | | | expensive to purchase. They won't rust but may stain |
| help save you time, money and effort. The thing to do | | | | if not cleaned after use. Once you have chosen your |
| is go into the market armed with information and make | | | | tools, maintain them. For hand tools a small sharpening |
| your own decision about the garden tools that are | | | | stone will keep blades sharp and working well. For |
| best for you.Like any implement you are going to use | | | | larger hand tools, a medium grade file will keep metal |
| frequently, the tools you chose should work well for | | | | edges sharp so they perform at their peak.Wipe down |
| the purpose they are designed for and give you | | | | your tools after use and put them in a dry storage |
| satisfaction every time you use them. So when | | | | space. Constant dirt and weather exposure will |
| purchasing:Determine what you need and test the | | | | damage all tools, no matter what they are made |
| range available for weight and balance. Spend as | | | | of.Safety first. Stepping on a rake hidden in grass can |
| much as you can afford to get a good quality tool as it | | | | do real damage (despite how funny it is in the |
| will last you many years.Materials are important. | | | | cartoons!) Consider using a fluorescent spray paint on |
| Fibreglass handled tools are strong and lighter in weight | | | | tools that may be hard to see in the garden. Hang up |
| but reverberate with every strike and can be tiring to | | | | your long handled tools if possible to avoid them getting |
| use all day. Wooden handled tools will absorb vibration | | | | blunt and becoming a tangle in the shed.The garden |
| but are generally heavier.Aluminium handles are | | | | tools you choose will be with you for a long time and |
| generally used for long handled tools, such as pruners | | | | should perform well if taken care of.Judy Williams ( is |
| to make them more manageable. They are suitable | | | | an avid organic gardener. No Dig Vegetable Gardens |
| only for lightweight working chores where no leverage | | | | represents a clean, green way to grow your own |
| or lifting will be applied.Plastic is often used for handle | | | | food. The site covers all aspects of growing, cooking |
| ends on shovels or heads on rakes. The plastic blends | | | | and preserving your harvest. |
| are much stronger these days as a material but can | | | | |