The first thing to remember when selecting gardening tools is
that quality does count. If you find a bargain-basement deal on
a
tool that’s too good to believe, it may not be worth the money.
Expect to pay extra for well-made tools that in the long run
will
work better and last much longer.

What do I mean by “well-made”?

It depends on the tool.

More metal is better

In general, though, better-quality tools have more metal
components than plastic. The handles of better shovels and rakes
may be made of solid fiberglass rather than wooden with cheap,
plastic handles. Better pruning tools will have replaceable
parts
such as new blades or saws.

When choosing motorized equipment such as tillers, blowers and
mowers, look for brand name equipment with longer warranties and
a service location close by.

Trenching tool handy

One tool often overlooked but extremely handy is a trenching
shovel. The trenching shovel has a long narrow blade that does a
much better job of cutting through the hard clay we often have
to
contend with. It also makes a great shovel for transplanting, as
the blade will slip under plants more easily than a conventional
spade will.

A pole pruner is another great addition to your tool arsenal
that
not everyone may think of. It’s handy for nipping off small
limbs
and branches out of the reach of normal clippers.

Most pole pruners come with an anvil-style clipper, operated
with
a cord, for small limbs and an end-mounted saw for larger
branches over 1 inch. Pole pruners can reach branches 12 to 15
feet up.

Assortment of hand tools

An assortment of hand tools such as a small hand trowel,
cultivator and weeding hoe are great for working around flower
beds. Again, the better-quality ones will be made of steel or
stainless steel.

A watering wand is something else I really enjoy when working in
my landscape. This is essentially a long, extended nozzle off
the
end of the hose.

The one I have has multiple spray patterns so you can go from a
hard straight stream to a soft mist and everything in-between.
The wand is great for watering small flower beds and also
hanging
baskets on the porch.

Care for your tools

Whatever tools you decide to own, be sure to give them proper
care.

• Keep pruners sharp and well oiled.
• Treat wooden handles on shovels and rakes with linseed soil
  or paint them to help preserve the wood.
• Store hoses and other plastic or rubber items out of the sun
  to extend their life.
• Sharpen the blade end of your shovel and hoe. This can make
  a
  big difference on the ease of their performance.
• Finally, change the oil and spark plugs on small-engine
  machines such as tillers and mowers at least once a season. Be
  sure to keep the air filter on these machines clean, too.

By selecting quality tools and giving them proper care, you’ll
find managing your landscape and garden a little easier and more
enjoyable.