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What are good quality tools for beginners
Norton2
Posts: 2
Hi there,
I'm not actually the gardner in my house, my wife is. In fact I'm not allowed to make decisions about the garden at all 
.
She's recently started a horticulture course at college and is in need of good quality tools for the future. Being an engineer I believe in the old adage buy cheap buy twice when it comes to tools. With Christmas coming up I thought I'd help her start her collection of decent equipment. She already has decent set of secataurs but that's about it.
Would someone please help a floundering husband at Christmas with where to look what brand to buy and what to avoid?
0
Posts
...shame you can't do any gardening... meanwhile...
I always prefer Wilkinson Sword, and I would be delighted if someone bought me any from this selection... see what you think...
http://www.wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk/stainless-steel-garden-tools/hand-tools
When buying new I like Joseph Bentley stuff, it has a good feel to it and not all that pricey and they last me OK.
Can't really beat the local scrappy though. I'm always down there looking to see what he has. Last thing I brought back was a Victorian cast iron counterbalance roller (£35), needs some restoration work but I love it. The garden center can keep their water filled flimsy ones for £90.
Another vote here for Joseph Bentley - good mid-range quality, well-proportioned and the solid ash handles feel good in your hands - and they look good
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I swear by Sneerboer - v expensive, but family have bought them one by one for Christmas and birthdays. I remember when and where every one came from - some are now very special
I have both and haven't got a bad word to say about them and I have some hard clay they have to work in.
never buy anything but Felco secateurs. You can pick them up second hand on ebay for about £20 a pair. ( I've bought a couple of pairs that way)
Thank you very much for your help guys, the scrappy is maybe something for the future as I quite like the idea of restoring something for her. A roller's probably a bit ambitious just now anyway, it's got to fit under the tree
My mid-range recommendation would be for Draper tools.....I've visited their original factory, which is about five miles from me.
what a thoughtful hubby you are Norton2. I'm with Gemma and visiting second hand places or scrap yards.
If there isn't one near you though there are plenty of other gifts. Some of my favourite gardening presents are;
new wheel barrow
cold frame
hive shaped compost bin
book on how to propagate
labels (great stocking filler)
gardening gloves
seed trays ( good quality sturdy ones )
kneeling pad
good quality garden string
arch to grow things over
raised bed
the wooden garden desk and the green plastic garden tidy in the photo below
Dont forget the wrapping paper!
You sound just like my dad!
i agree tee with all of the above. I'd also recommend an azada- with two allotments, mine has been a proper back saver so far! cost about £15 on Amazon