| Tool Time |
| Learn what tools and gadgets you need for every job. |
From "Today Show Tips"
episode DTST-110 |
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(Continued from page )
Gardening Tools
As we've seen, there's a perfect tool out there for every home-improvement project, and the same holds true for the garden. From shovels to shears, the right tools make every aspect of growing those wonderful flowers, herbs, and vegetables so much easier. Here's a sampling:
- A good digging shovel is crucial. Look for one with a foot rest. It makes digging easier and safer, because your foot is less likely to slip off.
- Pruning shears and other pruning tools, such as loppers, don't have to leave your hands and arms sore. Some are designed to do the job with minimal effort on your part.
- Safety goggles are essential, whether you're working indoors or out.
- A good-quality trowel makes planting so much easier and can save you a lot of time, too.
- A gardening fork is great for loosening up and turning soil.
Besides having the right tools, there are other tricks to being an organized gardener:
- Keep several bags of humus on hand to work into the soil as you go along.
- Fill a galvanized bucket with sand and add mineral oil. When you finish using a shovel, fork or trowel, shove them into the sand. The soil will come off, and the tool will be protected from rust at the same time. And you'll know where to look for those tools the next time you need them.
- Slow-release fertilizer will keep you from accidentally burning the plants, and it feeds them over a long time.
- Liquid fertilizer is good for use during the growing season, too.
- A water-retentive polymer mixed into the potting soil will keep containers from drying out as quickly, which makes them easier to maintain.
Among the chemicals that are safe for kids and pets are some that are triple threats to garden problems: an insecticide, a fungicide and a miticide all in one.
Even better, look into natural pest control. For example, ladybugs are excellent predators of soft-bodied insects such as aphids. One ladybug will eat hundreds of aphids in its lifetime. You can order them by the thousand online.
Use bins to organize supplies and equipment.
Mason jars are great for storing seed, protecting it from moisture, mice and insects.
Safety goggles are crucial for any kind of pruning or chopping, including mowing.
And don't forget the sunscreen and insect repellant!
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