Thanks everyone that's more replies than I was expecting for a newbie ???? I have a hoe and a spade but am definitely going to invest in a good fork and hand trowel. Thanks again. T
I have a stainless steel spade and fork as they are best for clay soils and tend to last. Buy th ebest you can afford and pay attention to the length of the handle. The longer the better for avoiding back trouble - unless you yourself are short. I also have a stainless steel hand fork with a wooden handle that is very comfy to use for close work.
The best secateurs are Felco's - last for years and years. For all my other tools I like the Wolf system of interchangeable short, medium and long handles and assorted heads depending on the job in hand. I like the double bladed hoe for weeding, available in two widths in the UK and good for going between plants in the border and rows of veggies. The cultivator heads, rake head and weed extractor are very good to have and they do a decent pair of big loppers too.
Another essential tool is WD40 for spraying on tools after cleaning and a couple of plastic trugs for weeding in borders where a wheelbarrow won't fit.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
The most used tools in my garden are; a trowel, several buckets, a small tarpaulin with handles, hoes; various, and a lawn rake, which is used to get leaves and twigs off the pea shingle surrounding the veg beds. Secateurs, plus ratchet secateurs (brilliant for hefty pruning) scissors for dead heading, several pairs of gardening gloves, knee pads and a kneeler which flips over to become a stool. I scarcely ever use a spade - far more likely to use a fork. A course sieve for sifting home made compost, a compost stirrer and a weeding tool for dandelion roots. I tend to buy mid-priced tools and have no loyalty towards any particular brand; if it feels right in the hand, not too heavy or large (rather like me actually) then I buy it.
I would recommend getting tools as you identify a need for them, e.g.I have a telescopic lopper as there is a willow leaning over my garden from the field.
Tracey, I'd recommend getting a border fork rather than a standard sized one - much more manageable size and you won't do your back in as easily with the smaller one
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Ditto spade. I don't dig borders but I do dig up plants for dividing or transplanting and dig holes for planting new shrubs. The smaller border spade blades are perfect.
I also have an old bread knife for sawing up root clumps when I'm dividing plants.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Oh, and old spoons for fish blood and bone stuff and compost accelorator. Old washing up brush for cleaning flowerpots and seed trays...you will probably need a shed for all this lot, but don't panic, your collection of tools will grow quite slowly.
Wow....my head is buzzing now ha ha!! Some really good ideas and things I wouldn't have thought of. I already have gloves and a few other basics but do need a new kneeling pad so will definitely get one that doubles as a stool, spoon, washing up brush etc are great ideas and not very costly.
One more question, what is the difference between a border fork/spade and regular one, are they just smaller? I think the spade I bought is a border one but not sure, I did buy both that and the hoe based on the feel and they both are stainless steel with wooden handles.
I'd recommend the Wolf system of interchangeable handles and assorted heads for tools. I haven't got the system but would if I needed to start from fresh.
Don't think anyone's mentioned a thermometer for the GH ,not sure it's a tool more an essential item. Most people rate the max/min one's, if you choose this get one which you can change the battery.
Posts
I have a stainless steel spade and fork as they are best for clay soils and tend to last. Buy th ebest you can afford and pay attention to the length of the handle. The longer the better for avoiding back trouble - unless you yourself are short. I also have a stainless steel hand fork with a wooden handle that is very comfy to use for close work.
The best secateurs are Felco's - last for years and years. For all my other tools I like the Wolf system of interchangeable short, medium and long handles and assorted heads depending on the job in hand. I like the double bladed hoe for weeding, available in two widths in the UK and good for going between plants in the border and rows of veggies. The cultivator heads, rake head and weed extractor are very good to have and they do a decent pair of big loppers too.
Another essential tool is WD40 for spraying on tools after cleaning and a couple of plastic trugs for weeding in borders where a wheelbarrow won't fit.
The most used tools in my garden are; a trowel, several buckets, a small tarpaulin with handles, hoes; various, and a lawn rake, which is used to get leaves and twigs off the pea shingle surrounding the veg beds. Secateurs, plus ratchet secateurs (brilliant for hefty pruning) scissors for dead heading, several pairs of gardening gloves, knee pads and a kneeler which flips over to become a stool. I scarcely ever use a spade - far more likely to use a fork. A course sieve for sifting home made compost, a compost stirrer and a weeding tool for dandelion roots. I tend to buy mid-priced tools and have no loyalty towards any particular brand; if it feels right in the hand, not too heavy or large (rather like me actually
) then I buy it.
I would recommend getting tools as you identify a need for them, e.g.I have a telescopic lopper as there is a willow leaning over my garden from the field.
Tracey, I'd recommend getting a border fork rather than a standard sized one - much more manageable size and you won't do your back in as easily with the smaller one
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Ditto spade. I don't dig borders but I do dig up plants for dividing or transplanting and dig holes for planting new shrubs. The smaller border spade blades are perfect.
I also have an old bread knife for sawing up root clumps when I'm dividing plants.
Oh, and old spoons for fish blood and bone stuff and compost accelorator. Old washing up brush for cleaning flowerpots and seed trays...you will probably need a shed for all this lot, but don't panic, your collection of tools will grow quite slowly.
One more question, what is the difference between a border fork/spade and regular one, are they just smaller? I think the spade I bought is a border one but not sure, I did buy both that and the hoe based on the feel and they both are stainless steel with wooden handles.
Thanks again everyone.
Yes, the business ends of border forks and spades are about two thirds the size of standard ones.
Lots of good advise above.
I'd recommend the Wolf system of interchangeable handles and assorted heads for tools. I haven't got the system but would if I needed to start from fresh.
Don't think anyone's mentioned a thermometer for the GH ,not sure it's a tool more an essential item. Most people rate the max/min one's, if you choose this get one which you can change the battery.