Using the Proper Gardening Tools Makes All the Difference
Some people feel almost obligated when it’s time to work in the garden. They know gardening is a good way to save money and grow healthy food, they just don’t get that relaxed feeling they’ve heard about. Other people, on the other hand sit at work and daydream about getting home to get dirty in the garden. It’s a hobby that brings peace and a sense of accomplishment. What’s the difference in the two types of people? Surprisingly often, the only difference is that the happy gardeners are using the proper gardening tools.
Could you hammer a nail with the butt end of a screwdriver? Probably. Would building a house this way be practical? Probably not. This is what using the wrong gardening tools is like.
Soil tools are crucial to gardening. Using a shovel when you need a spade is volunteering to expend more effort and feel more frustration in your garden. This principle applies to any soil tool. Improvising is not something you want to do too often. While improvising once makes you feel clever, eventually not having the right tool is going to make you dread whatever task you need to deal with. Since working the soil is the backbone of gardening, having the proper soil tools is a guaranteed way to make your garden life easier.
Have you seen the senior citizens who spend all morning in the garden and seem like there’s nothing they would rather be doing? Have you noticed that they all have a cart or wheelbarrow handy to move soil, trash, or plants and tools from place to place? If you want to avoid feeling like a beast of burden, get the proper transport tools.
Personal accessories are your “garden uniform”. Gloves to keep you from getting blisters, a floppy hat to keep you from getting sunburned, knee pads to let you work in comfort. Having the proper personal accessories not only improves your comfort, but just putting on your “uniform” is a ritual that gets your spirit ready to garden.
Let’s face it, technically you could perform all gardening tasks with a sharp stick and a strong back. For anyone planning to spend a significant amount of time in a garden, having the proper gardening tools will make it feel like play instead of work.
