Gardening – Tools of the Trade

A trip to the garden centre can sometimes be a confusing and bewildering experience. Everything on display, feasibly, has a purpose, and a good one at that – but at risk of blowing your entire budget on the latest equipment that promises to energise the fl ora and fauna of your outside space, here are our top eight tools that every garden must have.

1. Lawnmower It’s amazing how a simple mow of the lawn can transform it from a rough and rugged outside vista into a stylish statement of beautifully bladed fi nesse. Japanese tool with a blade on one side and a serrated edge on the other. It will cut through roots deep in the soil, so weeding and plant removal from deep in the ground is quick and easy… and dare we say it, rather satisfying!

4. Weeder A weeder is brilliant for removing plant matter caught between paving slabs, along edges and in small ruts, meaning that the days of backbreaking yanking of weeds are over.

Yet while the best machines on the market will wow you not just with their mowing magnifi cence but a price-tag to match also, there are some basic models that will set you back less than £50. 2. Pruning shears So much to do with gardening involves keeping nature at bay, so getting a decent pair of pruning shears is essential. Whether trimming back rose stems or dealing with an unruly bush, regular pruning will maximise light, enabling all areas of your garden to fl ourish. and in small ruts, meaning hammering a metal blade into hammering a metal blade into soil that, inevitably, will have lumps of rock in it, shovel away to your heart’s content.

3. A soil knife A soil knife (or hori-hori) is a 5. Rake Leaf debris can make even the healthiest of gardens appear unkempt, but your friendly rake will sweep aside any dead matter to give the lawn a smooth fi nish. And, smooth fi nish. And, of course, you can of course, you can also use it on soil. also use it on soil. 6. Shovel and 6. Shovel and trowel trowel There’s nothing There’s nothing quite like digging a quite like digging a hole when wanting hole when wanting to feel connected to feel connected to nature; and to nature; and providing your providing your back can deal back can deal with the impact of with the impact of For smaller areas, and when tending to garden beds, a trowel is a must-have. 7. Kneeling pad For little more than a fi ver you can save your knees from impending, aching doom with a soft kneeling pad. 8. A hose Finally, you’ll need your garden’s life source, water, available on tap, literally. Hence, a good hose for watering is essential, and certainly saves you lugging a watering can up and down the garden!