These are the essential tools, used during soil cultivation, sowing and planting.
- Fork For digging heavy soils, breaking down rough-dug soil and for light surface cultivation. The head of a full-size four- tine fork measures 30.5 x 19cm/12 x 71/2in; that of a small border fork measures 23 x 14cm/9 x5 1/2 in.
- Hoe For surface cultivation, particularly to eradicate weeds between rows of plants. There are two basic types: the Dutch Hoe, which cuts horizontally through the soil; and the Draw Hoe, which is used with a chopping action (particularly recommended for stony or heavy soils, and also for making seed drills). Both have 1.5m/5ft handles.
- Rake Most useful is the 30cm/12in wide steel rake with teeth 5cm/2in apart and a 1.5m/5ft long handle. Used for levelling soil and for creating a fine tilth for seed sowing.
- Spade For digging and for planting (eg trees and shrubs). The standard spade blade measures 29 x 19cm/11′/ x V/2in; that of the lady’s spade 25 x 16.5cm/10 x 61/2in; and that of the border spade 23 x 14cm/9 x 51/2in. Heavy digging is easiest with middle size. Shaft should have a gentle crank (or curve) above blade to allow maximum leverage.
- TrowelThe short-handled hand trowel is invaluable for planting small plants and bulbs. Handle is 10-15cm/4—bin long. Longer handles are sometimes available.
- WheelbarrowIn larger gardens and on the vegetable plot a wheelbarrow can save a lot of time and energy. When choosing a model, make sure that the bulk of the load is placed over the wheel. A ball-wheeled barrow is easier to push over soft ground, and is less likely to damage the ground. A two- wheeled barrow is easier to load and push than one with a single wheel. Stout planks are useful for wheeling up steps.
Seven tools for the keen gardener
The following tools are not essential for successful gardening, but they do help you to do a really good job. Garden items such as lines, dibbers and measuring rods can easily be made at home.
- Cultivator This has a curved fork-like head on a 1.2m/4ft shaft and is used to cultivate and aerate the soil to a depth of several inches between rows of vegetables. An ideal tool for hard or stony soils.
- DibberUsed for making planting holes quickly, particularly for vegetables such as cabbages and leeks. It looks like the top 30cm/12in of a spade handle and has a pointed tip. (Indeed, you could make your own from an old spade handle.)
- Hand fork 3- or 4-pronged hand forks are useful for transplanting seedlings, for working among tightly packed plants and for intricate planting and weeding.
- LineA stout nylon or hemp garden line is useful to the vegetable gardener when planting/sowing in straight rows. Best if the twine is wound on a special steel reel. Lines wound around stout stakes are easy to make at home.
- Measuring rodInvaluable on the vegetable plot for measuring the distance between plants when planting out or thinning (and for any other plant spacing). Made from a piece of straight 2.5cm/lin square timber, marked off every 10 and 5cm, plus 1 cm graduations in the first 30cm (or every 12, 6 and Sin, plus lin gradations in the first foot).
- Onion hoeSmall short-handled version of the draw hoe, ideal for thinning out seedlings, and cultivating and weeding between closely spaced rows and plants.
- SprayerA garden pressure sprayer is used for applying pesticides and weedkillers. (A jet of pure water will dislodge aphids.) Be sure to observe the rules of safety. Various capacities are available. Should have an adjustable nozzle. A small hand sprayer is more convenient in the greenhouse.
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