Unique Garden Tools for not so Unique Tasks
Unique garden tools are not necessarily used for only odd tasks but devised out of necessity from creative gardeners who found a better way to accomplish a task. You, as the user, should make it a point to find as many uses as necessary in order to justify the purchase. What qualifies as unique garden tools is something that falls outside the normal parameters of tools you would find in your local garden center.
Weeds Be Gone
There are several ways to rid your self of the weeds that line the edges of a flower bed or even in between the cracks of a sidewalk or driveway. One of these ways is through the use of something called a weeding finger, one of many in a line of unique garden tools. This weeding finger typically has a durable handle in which a long, thin curved stainless steel type of pick emerges from it. This thin tool is perfect for fitting in between cracks, boards of a patio deck and even rocks in landscaped areas. The tool is also a great for lightly digging small trenches in which to plant seeds as well.
Cut, Dig and More
Some creative genius came up with unique garden tools with serrated edges such as those on a spade or trowel. When you have a serrated edge on a small hand held type of shovel, you automatically gain several tool advantages. First, these unique garden tools can cut bags of soil or even pesky plant roots with the serrated edge and then still dig holes. These serrated edges also help break up compacted soil, split plant bulbs and gain leverage against rocks and other tough surfaces.
All in One Implements
For the new homeowner or one with little storage space, all in one unique garden tools just might be the ticket for home improvement paradise and storage solutions. You could find a tool with one long handle with interchangeable stainless steel parts you install based on the type of job you need to perform. Unique garden tools with multi-use options are quite trendy and popular because of their ease of use as well as versatility.
One particular all in one tool on the market these days has a shovel, rake, fork, scraper, weeder and more. Just one handle is all you need along with a little dexterity to switch out the implements for these types of unique garden tools. You will discover just browsing through specialty garden stores and the internet that there is literally a tool for every foreseeable task in the garden and yard. The hard part is choosing from the many unique garden tools to find one versatile enough for several tasks.
The Grip, Weight and Material of Small Garden Tools
Your small garden tools will serve you better when you choose them with care. By choosing tools made from suitable materials, you can have garden tools that will improve your grip and will allow you to garden even with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or weak hands. It is also important that you take the weight of the tool into consideration, when you are choosing your small garden tools.
Grip Is Important
The strength of your grip on a garden tool will improve your efforts at gardening and it can make gardening more enjoyable. You will need a garden tool with a handle with which it is easy to work. You can find small garden tools that have ergonomic handles. There are contoured handles to improve your grip. If you have arthritis, you may find it easier to get a good grip on tools with a larger diameter.
People, with carpal tunnel or some other wrist problem, will find it easier to work with garden tools with arm supports and pistol grip handles. You can also use tools that have special wrist straps and finger-guards, if your hands are weak. For anyone, who wants to enjoy gardening but has a problem with bending over, there are long handled small garden tools.
The Weight and Material Used For Making the Tools
Unlike the steel material traditionally used for garden tools, you can now choose from small garden tools that are made from stainless steel, polished aluminum, plastic, composite and pressed steel tools. You will find it easier to work the soil with metal tools rather than the plastic or other materials although the plastic or composite tools will be lighter in weight, which makes the tools easier to use.
If you choose plastic tools, make sure the tool is made from a high strength lightweight plastic. When you are choosing small garden tools, choose the sturdier models, especially when choosing a fork or long handled trowel because pressed steel, plastic or composite tools may bend or break if too much pressure is applied to the tool.
The more care that you take when you are choosing your small garden tools will ensure that your garden tools will last for many seasons. By taking in the different considerations about grip, weight and material, you will make a better choice of garden tools. Your small garden tools can make or break your experience with gardening, so choose your tools with the same care that you put into make choices about your garden.
Quality Garden Tools Need Quality Maintenance
The expression “you’ll know it when you see it” is certainly apt when it comes to quality garden tools. You may not be able to describe the materials or the construction methods used in the creation of the tool but you would definitely know instinctively if it was of superior value and craftsmanship. The crap tools are easy to identify by the identifiable seams, obvious welding work and inferior materials like plastic and thin sheet metal.
So do you know what to look for when it comes to shopping for quality garden tools to use in the maintenance of your home and yard? The answer boils down to the materials used in its construction as well as how well it is put together.
Testing your Metal
Many quality garden tools have metal parts and it is the type of metal used which drives the price as well as quality of the product. For example, tools mass produced and marketed by discount mass merchandise stores and even popular home improvement stores may carry tools with tubular or stamped steel. This basically boils down to the cheapest construction possible and often this metal is painted on with an epoxy to supposedly protect it from rusting. The only problem is, the paint easily chips off exposing the metal to the elements and will therefore rust.
What you should really look for in quality garden tools is forged steel, particularly stainless steel that has been polished. While this type of material will be almost twice as expensive, you can count on any tool made from this stainless steel to be corrosive resistant and last for a lifetime. Of course, stainless steel alone will not make a quality tool as the construction is just as important.
Construction
Quality garden tools made with stainless steel is a good thing and what is even better is when good craftsmanship is used in its construction. The metal of the tool should wrap around the handle part all the way with proper coverage of course provided by a wooden handle or even fiberglass. A direct bolt to the handle using forged metal is another way to ensure that construction is solid and will last for your lifetime.
Next, you want to get a feel for quality garden tools in terms of their balance and weight in your hand. The best tool in the world will do you no good if it becomes too heavy to lift part way through your task. Easy of maintenance, storage and how well they clean up are additional items of consideration when choosing quality garden tools. All in all though how long the tool lasts as well as how well it gets the job done is the true testament to quality garden tools.