The gardener’s essential tools

So you have decided to become a gardener and you are full of enthusiasm. Good! But keep your head cool and don’t go overboard in purchasing tools. Here’s a list of what you will need to start adequately.

1. Spade: this one will be your friend for life, so don’t hesitate to invest some serious money in it. Steel head, solid handle and footrest. Helpful for digging, edging, moving soil or amendment.

2. Hand trowel: for planting. Opt for one that is one piece of forged stainless steel.

3. Digging fork: for loosening compact soil, turning compost pile, lifting and dividing perennials... Three or for prongs, steel head and strong handle, preferably with D-shaped end for better leverage.

4. Hoe: a standard or stirrup hoe is perfect for weeding between vegetables lines. For flower beds, choose a thinner model.

5. Dandelion digger: and indispensable tool for removing weeds with long taproot.

6. Rake: for cleaning leaves out of beds. Plastic, steel or bamboo. The latter is ideal for clearing beds without harming emerging specimen.

7. Hand cultivator: Ideal for removing small weeds and roughing up ground for seeding, whether it is in containers or in garden beds. Prefer models that are one piece of forged steel.

8. Secators: you will use these pruners a lot, so make sure they fit nicely in your hand. Choose one that you can take apart for cleaning and sharpening easily.

9. Loppers: a bit like a sturdier, larger version of the secators. Ideal for pruning, cut branches up to 2 inches thick. Again, make sure they’re easy to clean and sharpen.

10. Long hose with rain wand: make sure it reaches every corner of your plot. In our climate, watering is essential, but also regulated. Prefer using rainwater from your tank.

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