Introduction to Gardening Tools for Beginner Gardeners UK

Gardening tools are essential for any gardener, but the range of choices can be overwhelming. When you first get started, it is best to learn how the different tools work and what they are for.

Below is a list of the most common gardening tools available, as well as some other not so commonly used ones.

Some gardeners prefer to use only hand tools and have very little space in their gardens for more modern machinery.

Auger

A garden auger is a hand-cranked, drill-like device that is used to remove soil from the ground.

The long metal shaft of an auger can be inserted into the dirt and then spun with a crank handle or electric drill; this process loosens the dirt and allows it to be pulled up through the hole in the bottom of the shaft.

Gardeners use them for planting trees, shrubs, flowers, bulbs, and many other types of plants as well as digging postholes for fence posts or building poles.

Chainsaw

A chainsaw is a cutting tool that cuts through objects using a rotating chain. This type of saw can be powered by electricity, petrol, or diesel fuel. Chainsaws are used in many different industries such as forestry and lumberjacking. They are also commonly found in construction sites for demolition purposes.

The blades on this type of saw can either be sharpened manually or they may have an automatic sharpening system to keep the blade at its best condition throughout the duration of use.

There are two types of chainsaws: fuel-powered and electricity-powered; both are operated similarly with one hand on the trigger grip and another hand on the bar handle to provide leverage when pushing forward into the material being cut.

Containers

See Flowerpots

Core Aerator

A core aerator is a machine that injects small hollow spikes into the ground and removes small cores of soil. The process loosens and aerates the soil, which in turn makes it easier for water to penetrate deep into the earth.

This means less water will be lost through evaporation. Core aerators are used on golf courses, lawns, parks, and other grounds where there is high traffic or heavy use of equipment such as tractors and mowers that cause compaction.

Flowerpots

Flowerpots and containers are the vessels we use to grow plants in. They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny pots that can be used for a single plant, to large containers that can hold an entire garden of flowers or vegetables.

There are many different materials used to make pots and containers, including plastic, metal, and clay-based pottery.

Garden Fork

A garden fork is an essential tool for any gardener, and there are many different types of forks to choose from.

Gardeners can have a basic gardening fork that they use for general digging and weeding, or they can opt for a more specialized type such as the “rake-tine” style fork with serrated tines on the edge that helps it slice through tough weeds better than other styles.

Garden Shredder

A garden shredder is a common tool used by landscapers and gardeners to chop up twigs, branches and lawn clippings. Garden shredders are usually powered by petrol, but electric models are also available.

The blades on the machine can be adjusted for varying levels of thickness that will provide the desired result in terms of length and texture.

Gloves

There are many reasons why you should invest in gloves for gardening. One of the most obvious is that they keep your hands clean, so you do not get dirt and germs all over yourself and your house. This is especially important if you have kids or pets at home since they can easily contract illness from bacteria on dirty hands.

Another reason to wear gloves when gardening is that it protects your hands from any sharp edges, thorns, or other harmful objects found in the garden space such as broken glass or metal pins sticking up out of the ground.

Hoe

A hoe is an ancient tool that has been used since before recorded history to break up soil clods and cut through weeds in fields or along garden paths. The curved blade of the hoe is a sharp, angled metal edge that slices through weeds at an angle.

A garden or “Dutch” type hoe has two handles with perpendicular blades mounted to them on either side so it can be used more like scissors than other types which have only one handle and are held in front instead – as if you were using chopsticks.

Hose

I am sure you know what a hose is but, the hose is one of the most important tools that every gardener should have in their arsenal. A hose provides a gardener with the ability to water, clean up after pets, and do other jobs around the yard without having to use buckets or get near potentially dangerous chemicals.

Lawnmower

I am also very sure that you already know what a lawnmower is but just in case, a lawnmower is an engine-powered machine that cuts grass, weeds, and other vegetation on a lawn.

It is usually equipped with multiple blades to cut the grass into smaller pieces. The person using it can control the height of the cut by adjusting the height of its wheels.

Different models of lawnmowers have different features depending on their size and purpose; some are designed for use on rough terrain such as hillsides, while others may be designed for small yards or decks around homes or residencies.

Leaf Blower

A leaf blower is a device that can be used to clear away leaves, twigs, and other debris from surfaces such as sidewalks, patios, and decks. This tool is an essential gardening accessory for keeping outdoor spaces clean and tidy.

Loppers

Loppers (short for pruning loppers) are a type of garden tool that has been used since the 19th century. They can be immensely helpful in trimming or cutting tree branches and brush to clear land or trails.

An important part of their design is the blade’s shape with a curved end for better control when cutting through plants. Loppers have long handles so you do not have to bend over as far.

There are two types of loppers: anvil and bypass. The blade is shaped differently on each type but they both have handles that can be adjusted for a proper fit to your hands or the task at hand, which will help you cut better without overexerting yourself.

Machete

According to Webster’s dictionary, a machete is “a large heavy knife used as an agricultural tool or weapon.” In the context of landscaping and gardening, a machete can be used for everything from cutting through thick brush that has grown over your fence line to trimming plants, so they grow into each other nicely.

Pick Mattock

A pick mattock is a type of tool used for digging and chopping. It can be used to break up clods, turn soil or remove roots.

A pick mattock has an axe-like blade mounted perpendicular to the handle which is traditionally made from wood but also available in metal. The edge of the blade faces away from the user making it possible to chop at tough materials like tree roots with less risk of injury.

Pitchfork

A pitchfork is a tool with between 2 and 4 tines on one end. It can be used for many purposes, including gardening and farming. Gardeners often use the pitchfork to turn over loose soil or manure, pick up hay bales, spread mulch or straw, and even harvest vegetables from their garden beds.

Portable Electric Chainsaw

A portable electric chainsaw is a type of handheld power saw that can be used for cutting wood. Chainsaws are powered by electricity, which means you do not have to worry about getting gasoline or buying gas and the emissions from this device are much lower than those associated with most other types of power tools.

The best part about owning a chainsaw is how versatile it can be. They can cut through anything from downed trees, logs, and even smaller branches without breaking a sweat!

Post Hole Pincer

A post hole pincer is a tool designed to assist in the process of digging holes for fence posts, telephone poles and other similar objects. In most cases, this tool is used because of an obstacle such as rocks or roots or because it is just too deep to dig by hand without any assistance.

The post hole pincer has two parts: one part at each end with teeth that grip onto the object being pulled out (the post). The user then applies pressure with both hands while pulling back on the handles to extract the item from the ground.

Potting Shed

A potting shed is a small outbuilding, typically in the backyard of a home or on the property of a nursery that is used for starting plants in pots and containers. They are also used to store gardening supplies and equipment like pots, tools, fertilizers, and seedlings. Potting sheds can also be used as an extension of your garden with creative landscaping ideas for both inside and outside spaces.

Pruning Saw

A pruning saw is a type of handsaw used to cut woody material. A common use for a pruning saw is cutting live branches and tree limbs from the trunk of trees, but they can also be used to cut roots or as a replacement for an axe.

The standard blade length on this type of saw ranges from 6″ to 20″. The blades are usually made from steel; however, some may have carbide teeth that will last longer and resist wear more than traditional metal blades.

Woodworkers often use these types of saws when they need a tool with versatility in cutting different shapes and sizes at close quarters—especially when other tools would be too large or bulky.

Rake

A typical garden rake resembles a long-handled version of the hoes used in farming, and while they are not designed with weeding in mind, they can be useful for loosening soil around plants before planting them as well as removing dead leaves and grass clippings from lawns.

Rotavator

A rotavator is a machine that turns over the soil in your garden. It has a rotating blade with teeth that cut through and turn over the earth, which loosens up compacted dirt and mixes it with topsoil to create a rich seedbed for planting.

Tilling helps keep weeds from growing by cutting down on their sunlight exposure. And because tilling aerates the ground, the soil stays moist longer, so you do not have to water as often during dry spells or drought periods.|

Secateurs

Secateurs are an essential tool for gardeners, landscapers, and farmers. There are many different types of secateurs available on the market today, but they all do the same basic thing: cut through plants with a blade that is shaped like a scissor.

Although this tool is similar to a scissor, one blade is usually extremely sharp whilst the other is often round and blunt so ensure just one clean cut instead of 2 cuts that meet in the middle.

You can use them to shape your garden by cutting back perennials or trimming overgrown bushes and shrubs.

Shears

Shears are a type of scissors that have two blades. They are usually used in the garden to cut through large branches and shrubs. The blades on the shears can be sharpened so they will cut cleanly with each use, but if they become dull, then they may need to be professionally sharpened or replaced.

Shears are also often used for trimming lawn edges and other places the mower may not be able to reach.

Spade

A spade is a gardening tool with a flat blade that is used for digging and cutting through the soil. It is typically made of metal but can also be made from plastic or other materials. Spades are generally used to turn the earth over before planting seeds or bulbs, as well as for making holes in the ground.

Spades come in a range of sizes all the way down to small hand spades that can be used for weeding or in planting shallow flower beds.

Spreader

A garden spreader is a small machine that can be used for spreading fertilizers, mulches and even seeds. Gardeners use this tool to distribute these products evenly over an area without having to do it by hand or carry heavy bags of fertilizer around the yard.

The two most common types are drop-spreaders, which have hoppers on the top that release a measured amount of fertilizer when triggered, and rotary spreaders which have spinning blades to evenly distribute larger quantities.

Both types are easy to use with drop-spreaders you just need to mix your fertilizers into an appropriate liquid before dumping it onto the lawn or garden area.

Rotary spreaders do not require any mixing; instead, they want you to pour in large bags full of mulch or other material and then start them turning until everything is evenly distributed.

A good quality machine can last for many years if taken care of properly by cleaning after each use (both inside and out) and storing indoors during winter months.

Sprinkler

When it comes to your lawn, there is nothing more important than water. A garden sprinkler system can be an invaluable tool for keeping your property looking beautiful and cared for.

No matter what type of environment you live in, a sprinkler system will provide the necessary amount of moisture that plants need to flourish and grow.

A typical setup includes a timer or weather sensor connected to a water pump which sends out enough pressure to reach all areas of whatever size yard you have. The timer turns on the pump when needed and shuts off at pre-set intervals so that it only runs during specific hours as opposed to constantly running.

Garden Doctor does not recommend leaving your sprinklers running overnight because this wastes water and energy, plus it may damage the grass.

Trowel

A garden trowel is a hand tool that is used to dig or turn the soil. Gardeners use this hand tool to plant seeds and bulbs, work with compost, and prepare flowerbeds. It can be helpful in digging out weeds or preparing new beds for planting.

The most common materials that are used to make a trowel are metal, wood, plastic, and fibreglass.

Watering Can

A watering can is a container that allows users to water plants. It usually has a spout and a long handle, which makes it easier for people to pour the water onto their plants without getting wet.

Gardeners use watering cans to apply small amounts of water at a time, and although this can be more time-consuming and harder work, it does make watering cans much more efficient than hoses or sprinklers.

Weed Fork

Similar to a garden fork although much smaller. This handheld tool is often used for weeding and removing weeds from tight spaces. The tool’s long metal tines are sharpened to cut through the weed roots, but they also have serrated edges that can remove dirt or rocks in a garden bed without damaging plants nearby as some other tools might do.

Weed forks usually come with three-prong head designs (sometimes called “salad fork” style).

Conclusion

You may or may not need everything on this list depending on what type of garden you are tending but at least you will have a good idea of what tools do what job.

If you are a beginner gardener, I hope that this little guide has helped you learn what tools do what.

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