Mattocks: These dual-purpose tools usually feature a heavy, flat- bladed end to dig or grub in the soil and a sharp point to break up heavy or rocky soils on the other end.
Spading forks: Used to open up the ground, dig bulbs, incorporate soil amendments and turn compost, they have heavy, flat tines and often a D-shaped handle.
Pitchforks: Used for picking up and moving loose materials like straw and compost, pitchforks have round, long and thin tines, lighter than those on a spading fork.
Square -nosed shovels: The flat blade on a square-nosed shovel can be used to scoop up materials, level high spots in the soil and cut straight lines through sod and soil.
Pruning saws: These handsaws are designed for efficient garden pruning. Some pruning saws also have rope-controlled loppers.
Wheelbarrows or carts: Essential for moving heavy and bulky mate rials like soil, garden debris and compost, wheelbarrows are also useful as mixing containers for Tillers: These power tools are used soils and amendments. to break up large areas of compacted soil and to incorporate soil High-tech wonders: The Easy Bloom amendments. Plant Sensor (www.easybloom.com) takes a reading of the conditions Round-nosed shovels: Best for in your garden and gives you feedheavy digging and mixing, add- back on your computer about what ing soil amendments or preparing will grow best and how you can planting holes. help ailing plants.
ardening is a hobby that can involve a lot of tools and gadgets. Some of them are essential; others are a waste of money. Sometimes quality matters, but often a cheap fix will work fine. If you are new to gardening, how do you decide what you really need? First, think about your gardening goals. How big will your garden be? If you plan to do mostly container gardening, for example, small hand tools might be all you’ll need. Do you plan to do any seed starting or composting? Also consider your physical limitations. If you find manual pruning tools unwieldy, a small power saw might be worth the extra cost, so long as you can operate it safely. What might seem like an extravagance for one person can be essential for another. Long-handle tools usually offer better leverage and reach, and can allow you to work from a standing position. The handle may be either straight or have a D-shaped grip. With some tools, such as long-handle pruners, extensions may be available. Short-handle tools are lighter, usually less expensive and more compact to store. They let you work in confined spaces or while kneeling. Common short-handled tools include hand pruners and clippers, hoes, garden trowels and cultivators. Tool handles are usually made of wood, fiberglass or metal. Using short-handle tools means spending time low to the ground. A good, firm foam pad or strap-on kneepads can help prevent aches and pains. The choices are many and range from simple pads to foldable seats. Once you start amassing your tool collection, you will want to take care of it. The best way to ensure that your tools will last is to give them a thorough once-over before you put them away. A plastic kitchen spatula works great to scrape off dirt and mud. Wash the tool with soap and water to loosen dirt and crusted material, then scrape off stubborn chunks and rust with a wire brush. Use a file or sharpening stone to sharpen blades and coat them with light oil. No matter what size garden you have, choosing your tools will be a fun process. —John Bruce 20 OKLAHOMA LIVING