Peerfect Trowels and Clippers

Perfect Trowels and Clippers

Wooden handles cause fewer blisters, anvil pruners cut most sharply

When it comes to gardening tools, the Rolling Stones are wrong : you can always get what you want – if you know where to look. The gardening rage in recent years has brought forth an abundance of top-quality tools, many of them fashioned after classic English tools. But at current prices, equipping yourself fully can be quite an investment, so you must invest wisely. Here is the advice of gardening experts, who do their spadework at public and private gardening facilities:

• Hoses: Hoses made from rubber or Flexogen last longer than plastic ones.
• Metal tools: Metal tools should be made from tempered, heat-treated, or forged metal. Stainless steel tools are most expensive, but they are also the strongest and should last you a lifetime. Choose wooden handled tools over metal ones whenever possible because they are less likely to cause blisters. Hickory and ash wood make the best handles. Handles made from Douglas fir will be weak and should be avoided. And make sure that there are no cracks or flaws of any kind in the wood before buying.
• Pitchforks: Look for pitchforks with springy stainless steel tines.
• Pruners: Anvil-type hand pruners that work like scissors make the sharpest cuts. Avoid pruners in which only one blade cuts.
• Rakes: Bamboo lawn rakes are the lightest and easiest to handle. They're usually the best for raking leaves. But for raking leaves within flower beds, use a rake that is rubber-tipped. It won't damage the plants.
• Rototillers: Unless you have a large garden, you should probably just rent a rototiller and chipper shredder once a year. Most rental centers now carry a variety of models. If you do decide to buy your own rototiller, look for models that you can easily handle and don't allow you to step on the area that was just tilled as you move it along the bed. Rear-tined (where wheels are in back) are best for difficult compacted or rocky soils.
• Shears: Select hedge shears that have a self-sharpening blade. Those with short handles are lighter and easier to use.
• Shovels: The The best shovels and spades have a Y-brace handle to add strength by increasing leverage.
• Trowels: A narrow-bladed trowel, sometimes known as a rock-garden or transplanting trowel, will also work well for planting bulbs.

Perfect trowels and clippers help create a perfect garden. Photo by Elena.