Importance of Planting Equipment

Trowels and Shovels

• Trowels and shovels are necessary for both yard work and garden maintenance. Today, trowels come in hand units that are useful for potted plants and gardens. A trowel has a cupped miniature shovel, which helps mix potting material, dig holes for planting and remove weeds. A shovel is a larger-scale version of the trowel and is best used for digging large holes, moving soil and mulch, or cutting through difficult sod. A shovel should have the blade frequently sharpened for the best results.

Weeders

• Weeders come in hand-held and large forms. This equipment has a long, sharp blade with a fish-tail end. A weeder allows a gardener to reach under the root of a weed or plant to remove it entirely. Unlike a shovel, the weeder also helps break up stiff soil for cultivating and can double as a garden aerator by poking holes in the soil.

Edger

• Edgers are essential yard and gardening tools. Use them to remove overgrown grass from sidewalks and driveways, but also in the garden. For newly made gardens or shrubbery areas, a round-blade edger can mark the outline of the garden and planting area for accent rocks or other bordering pieces. Sharpen edgers' blades frequently with a metal tool file for the best results.

Cultivators

• Cultivators are typically found in hand-held models. These miniature-looking rakes have three fork tongs attached to a handle. These tongs dig into the soil to break up stiff dirt, remove weeds and work in between gardening rows. Cultivators can also spread mulch or turn compost in a bin, since the forks have the ability to grasp large chunks of debris at a time.

Care and Maintenance

• No matter what tools you purchase, if they are not cared for, they can be expensive to replace. Tools should have soil and debris removed from them after each use. Wipe away mud and water with a clean rag so that the tools are clean. File cutting tools or tools with sharp corners with a metal file throughout the planting and gardening season to keep them sharp.