Gardening by Judith Adam In sunny weeks away from your cold garden, notice the bright flowers on the roadside – wouldn’t you like to see them at home? And consider freeing up some garage space with just a little bit of discipline. Tools on hand If you spend time working in a garden, chances are that you collect tools. A gardener’s garage contains a range of implements currently in use, partially broken or entirely retired from active duty. When tools are hanging off garage walls and infringing on car space, that’s when to cull the collection and consider what you really need. There are seven categories of tools which you might consider necessary, but gardeners often own several in each category. If you want to streamline the collection, consider just one very fine implement in excellent condition as sufficient in each category. Secateurs are pruning clippers for cutting green stalks and woody branches, such as rose and shrub canes less than one inch in diameter. Just like a pair of shoes, a good fit is important. The appropriately sized clippers will fit comfortably into your palm, and you should be able to open and close the blade lock with your thumb. Invest in secateurs that can be disassembled for cleaning, and with replaceable parts (blades, spring and screws). High-quality secateurs are a worthwhile investment that will last for decades. Long-handled loppers with sharp bypass blades (designed for cutting living wood) will extend your reach and maximize cutting power. They can handle thick rose canes, old shrub stumps, and low tree branches. Loppers are another tool that is worth the cost of quality blades. A small curved pruning saw is used for light tree pruning, and some have collapsible handles allowing the saw to fit into a pocket. A good-quality sawwill remain sharp for years and is another blade worth the investment. A leaf rake with metal tines gathers and moves leaf piles, and smooths and settles soil in preparation for seeding. Be sure to get the appropriate size for your height – the top of the rake pole should reach to between your nose and eyebrow. A pole that is too long is awkward to manipulate and will slow you down. The rake should be lightweight, allowing your arms to move quickly and precisely when gathering leaf piles. A planting trowel also acts as an effective weeder. Trowels with stainless steel blades resist corrosion, and an offset handle will allow for knuckle clearance when digging. Long-handled shovels and forks will reduce the strain of lifting soil, taking the weight burden off of your back and arms. A good-quality, lightweight hose is easy to move and position where needed. Heavyduty hoses are difficult to drag and require considerable winter storage space. That’s your lineup of seven quality tools, all you need to manage the garden. Now what will you do with that new garage space? 52 | www.snowbirds.org
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