Basic tools

Having access to good quality tools and equipment designed for the tasks you need to accomplish will make your time in the garden more efficient and pleasurable. While it is neither necessary nor practical to own every garden implement, there are at least several that you’ll find indispensable from the beginning. Later on, experience will help you determine which additional items should be added to your basic tool kit.

Let’s take a look at some of the routine tasks you’ll be getting into in the garden and the basic tools you’ll need to get the job done efficiently.

Digging

While extensive digging is generally best avoided in an organic garden, there are selective tasks like composting and tree planting which require the temporary displacement of soil and other organic matter. Any type of digging becomes hard work after a short period so it is worthwhile ensuring that any equipment you use is both ergonomically designed and suited to the task.

A good quality spade is the most versatile digging tool in the garden and is one of the few basic tools that no gardener should be without. Similarly, a good quality fork, which will perform more efficiently on dry stony ground, should not be overlooked. To a great extent it is the size and weight of each that will determine comfort and efficiency. While it is difficult to properly assess the characteristics of a spade or fork without testing under realistic conditions, there are three features that can be easily identified.

1. Stainless steel quality in the blade or prongs - this will be more expensive initially but with adequate care should repay with many years if not a lifetime of reliable service.

2. Ergonomically designed handle - ideally, the handle should be tapered for comfort and securely padded for shock absorption. Be careful of some of the cheaper spades, which tend to have very poorly constructed handles.

3. Appropriate shaft length - the shaft itself should be of sufficient length to prevent any stooping or pinching at the shoulders while digging. It is now possible to purchase good quality tools with plastic and metal alloy shafts. These have the advantages of requiring less maintenance, lightweight strength and the total absence of splinters.

Weeding

Repetitive weeding is another task that organic gardening approaches seek to minimise. There will, however, be occasions when physical removal of unwanted weeds is the best control strategy available. Most gardeners will therefore require a basic weeding tool. The style chosen will become a matter for personal preference although the dutch hoe and the draw hoe have proven to be the most popular.

Many individuals enjoy kneeling and working close to the soil. If this describes you, a small hand trowel will be indispensable. A good trowel will be sturdily constructed from forged steel with an angled blade and comfortable grip. It can be used for many tasks like digging out weeds, planting seedlings, and removing rocks or paving stones. I strongly recommend purchasing one of the best trowels possible.

A long handled rake can be useful for levelling soil and gathering weeds, fallen branches and twigs together in piles. The basic design is a comb holding a dozen or more equally spaced metal teeth. While I always recommend purchasing good quality tools, a rake is one of the items that you can generally save some money on without seriously compromising the quality of the equipment you’ll end up with. Therefore, if your budget for a basic set of tools is somewhat stretched, choose one of the cheaper long handled rakes available.

Cutting

Cutting tools are used for removing unwanted plant growth and any dead material that is untidy, physically hazardous or carries the risk of disease. A straight bladed all purpose knife is one of the most convenient pieces of gardening equipment. It is portable enough to carry easily and lends itself to many unscheduled cutting tasks. Secateurs are the preferred tool for deadheading and most types of light pruning. When pruning larger trees or hedges, a pair of long handled loppers or a pruning saw will be required.

Maintenance and safety

Well maintained garden tools will work better and last longer than those that have been neglected or mistreated. By ensuring cutting blades are sharp and wiping them down before each tree, a pruning task will become easier and the chance of spreading disease will be lessened. Garden hygiene should also be encouraged by periodically scrubbing stainless steel implements with some steel wool soaked in vegetable oil.

Safety should become an absolute priority for the organic gardener. This includes investing in standards authorised protective equipment and applying them for all tasks containing elements of physical risk. Sensible clothing, reinforced leather footwear, gloves, hearing protection, and safety glasses must be worn for all risk associated jobs particularly those involving cutting, hammering or machinery. Leaving pruning saws, rakes and other tools unattended in the garden can also become a dangerous habit. In addition to potential accidents they are more likely to corrode or be stolen. It is a good idea to be strict about order and to paint all tool handles with highly visible fluorescent paint.

Organic gardening is a growth activity, one that is constantly renewed by enthusiasts who can provide new insights or perhaps variations on commonly applied techniques. To reinforce current knowledge and stay abreast with new developments, it is well worth starting a basic garden reference library. This can include a good general book on organic gardening, a well illustrated pruning guide, and a publication to help identify the various types of insect and disease. At any time the collection might be expanded to include personal interests such as an extensive guide to herbs or flowering bulbs of a particular family. Internet searches are particularly suited for specialist topics and it may also be worth considering a subscription to an organics magazine. These contain useful items across a wide range of topics and can link the enthusiast to distributors and suppliers of specialist materials and equipment.