Choosing The Right Gardening Equipment
By: Dave Truman

Every gardener needs gardening equipment. At least that's what we tell ourselves as we buy that new ultra-light shovel that's on sale this week! The fact is, not every gardener has every tool they need and most of us make do with what we've got. Improvisation is the key here.

But if gardening is your game, then you will at least have some of the more basic gardening equipment that is needed to maintain your garden. Namely, a hoe, a shovel, and a rake come to mind offhandedly. There is also naturally other gardening equipment that is equally important, and I know that I simply can't be without my pruning scissors.

Over the year, I've amassed quite a collection of equipment, to the point of not having room for them all in my shed. But out of all those tools, my favorites are an old pair of comfortable gloves and my trusty kitchen knife.

When I can't find my pruning shears, my kitchen knife takes its place and works just fine. If my hoe or shovel isn't handy, the tip of the knife can often get the job done. Of course, there are many times when I don't even go that far and just use my hands to dig the soil.

It may sound like a disorganized way of gardening, but every gardener knows that if you're knee-deep in the garden, the last thing you want to do is drop everything to go find a tool.

Having said all that, some jobs really are easier with the proper equipment and it may be worth the time to fetch. One of my other favorites is the garden claw.

With two varieties available, one for standing work, and for closer work and therefore fitting in your hand, the garden claw makes your life easier. Stick the claw in the ground, give it a simple twist with your wrist, and pull out. It loosens soil easily, and as an added benefit you get to pull out your weeds with less hassle.

Really the key thing to remember about gardening equipment is that although we might want it, we don't always need it. Besides it's always a good thing not to get too attached to your gardening equipment, it makes life easier if you're not always trotting back and forth between your work patch and the shed. Ultimately you'd not get too much done, (unless you're using your handy garden claw!).