#hand tools for gardening

[gardenholic]

10 Best Gardening Tools for Home Garden

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on “Home Gardening Tools”. This blog post will take you through the essential tools needed for home gardening, their uses, and how to choose and maintain them. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner just starting out, having the right tools can make all the difference in your gardening experience. Gardening is more than just a hobby; it’s a labor of…

[anipgarden]

Cheaply Starting Seeds

This is my fourth post in a series I’ll be making on how to increase biodiversity on a budget! I’m not an expert--just an enthusiast--but I hope something you find here helps! 

Having a high-quality seed-starting setup can feel like an ultimate but distant dream. An entire shelf--an entire room, even, filled with grow lights and plant trays in the optimal setup to make tons of plants? Tons of garden tools, each with a diverse and dedicated purpose? That’s just not an option for some of us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get started at a low cost!

Seed Starting Set-Ups

Speaking from a somewhat biased Floridian perspective, I’ve had great success starting seeds outside! My usual set-up is on a rarely-used outdoor patio table that’s moved to a sunny spot in the yard, but I’ve even grown seeds in solo cups on sidewalks, or directly in the ground, with great results! 

Some seeds grow best when they go through a cold period before germinating, while other seeds aren’t affected much by it and just wait for warm weather. As such, a viable option is to sow your seeds in late fall, let winter roll by, and wait until the seeds sprout on their own come spring! I would try and mark off where you planted said seeds, so you don’t lose track of them and accidentally dig them up.

Alternatively, if you want to get started while it's cold outside, a popular option I've seen is to grow in milk jugs! There's a lot of different ways to do it--everyone has their preference--but if you're already drinking things like milk or juice or sweet tea, and you're going to get jugs at some point in time--why not use them for gardening?

An easy way to clear up a section of lawn to create open gardening space is by using a sheet mulching or lasagna gardening method (though I like to call it the Cardboard Snuff-Out). Place cardboard or newspaper down in fall/winter to mark out where you want to garden. Layer compostable materials like grass clippings and wood chips on top of it, or potting soil/bagged compost. It’ll decompose over Winter into an organically rich bed that’ll have killed the grass and weeds underneath it. You don’t have to break out any tools and sweat over it come spring, and the cardboard itself will slowly decompose as well!

Though it's often recommended to plant things directly into the ground to decrease watering needs and increase nutritional independence, there’s plenty of reasons you may not be able to. Whether you’re renting, living in a place without a yard, or even just can’t or don’t want to break ground in a yard, you can still help biodiversity by growing in pots. Some plants have rather extensive root systems and aren’t well suited for pots, but there are still plenty of options available for plants that’ll boost biodiversity, be beautiful to look at, and grow just fine in pots! A recommendation is to get a larger pot, if you’re able, as it’ll hold onto more water and need watering less often. Not only are potted plants great for providing food for insects, but they can be shelter for other creatures too--there’s been a good few times I’ve moved a pot and found a frog or toad living underneath it.

If you don’t have room for pots on the ground, you could consider using hanging pots or window boxes! These can be great and easily-maintained options to provide food and habitat for insects and birds in an urban living situation like apartments or townhouses, but they can also be a fun way to add even more habitat to an already-robust home garden. You can even make an entire mini habitat in a window box or pot! I can personally say I’ve seen tons of pollinators visit my yearly hanging basket garden that consists of about five to seven plants, and I’ve always loved the idea of having a window box for blooms right out my window. Just make sure that it’s safe--make sure they’re securely fixed, and that whatever they’re hanging from can handle their weight when they’re freshly watered and loaded with plants. 

If you want to start indoors, you don’t necessarily need grow lights or heat mats (though it will make things a bit easier.) I’ve successfully grown milkweed, peppers, tomatoes, zucchinis, and even sprouted lemon seeds in college dorm rooms, and kept tomato and pepper plants in a dorm room on a sunny windowsill. For the most part, you need a nice and sunny window, some kind of container, and a source of heat (in my case, I used anything from a space heater to the warmth of my laptop running nearby. If you don’t have any sunny windows, or enough windowsill space to start plants on, its possible to obtain cheaper grow lights. One year, my mom bought me some gooseneck grow lights that could clip onto things for cheap off of Amazon. (Fair warning, though, they did light up my entire room in purple. I lived alone that year (covid year, my roomies bailed), so it was fine, but it was kind of trippy,)

Another year, when I was in an apartment on my own, I bought a grow light modeled like a normal light bulb from the lightbulb aisle in Lowe’s and put it in my desk lamp. Growing seeds indoors can make them grow fast and leggy, so it’ll help if you can keep a desk fan on them so they focus on growing strong instead of tall and fast.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a friend with a nice set up, you could see if they’re willing to let you borrow some of their space to start your own plants as well! My set-up in college was by no means High Class, but I was still more than willing to start seeds for my friends who asked!

Containers for Seed Starting

So now that we’ve talked starting seeds indoors and out, we need to address what to start them in. It’s important that whatever you’re using has drainage holes, and be large enough to support your plant (starting something like milkweed or a squash in a tiny little pot won’t yield great results). Fortunately, there are options here!

If you’re looking to buy pots, Dollar Tree will sell some small plastic pots for cheap in the spring! They’re kind of thin, and won’t last forever, but they’re great for a few uses and don’t cost a lot of money. Something that’s a bit more pricey but are longer-lasting, in my experience, are the Burpee SuperSeed trays. They come in different sizes, but I’m fond of the 16-cell trays--they have silicone bottoms and are made of a nice solid plastic with a tray to hold water, so they hold up for a long time and are easy to clean and reuse!

Burpee seed tray, my beloved.

What’s better than a cheap pot? Free ones, and there’s plenty of options there! I’ve seen people use toilet paper or paper towel rolls as pots by folding the bottoms in and have it work well for them! I think this method would work best if you had some kind of tray to keep them moist, because mine dried out fast last time I tried this method. I’ve also seen people make pots out of newspaper with a few different methods, and the people who use this method love it--apparently, the roots pass through the paper easier and it decomposes faster when buried, so you can just transplant the whole pot and avoid any kind of transplanting shock. If you don’t have any newspaper on hand, you can likely ask your friends or neighbors! 

I’ve gotten lots of mileage from reusing old containers by poking a few holes in the bottom with knives or scissors--just be careful while you’re doing it! I, personally, am more likely to use an already-used solo cup for it--they’re a nice size, so they hold a good amount of soil and moisture and give the seedling a good amount of root space. I tend to write the plant information on the side of the cup in sharpie marker, or on an index card in pen. I’ve also heard of people making use of egg cartons, fruit containers, yogurt cups, milk cartons, soda bottles--the more you start thinking about what you could easily poke a hole in, the more options start coming around!

This photo may be from 2018, but I'll still regularly reuse cups like this! They're also great for cuttings!

As you start planning to move your seedlings into the ground and preparing planting sites, you’ll likely need a few tools to do it! How do you get these? You may be able to borrow some tools from a neighbor! As long as you make sure to return them in good condition, depending on how friendly your neighbors are, they might be totally fine with you borrowing their tools for awhile. If you don’t want to take that route, there may be a tool library you can borrow from, or a mutual aid group that can loan you tools for awhile. Either way, borrowing tools is cheaper than buying them--though, if you do have to buy tools, cheap hand-tools from Walmart or the dollar store work just fine. They’ll even last a good while if they’re taken care of when not in use! I've even seen places like Ross sell some tools and pots in spring!

Spotted in a Walmart gardening section by the registers, 2023.

Of course, your mileage may vary with these. I genuinely cannot think of the last time my house got a newspaper, and as I've mentioned I don't have to worry about snow. Similarly, maybe you don't use plastic cups when you can help it, or don't have a particular affinity for eggs and yogurt. Maybe there isn't a tool library in your area--I sure don't know if there is in mine--but it could still be worth poking around and asking a neighbor!

That's the end of this post! My next post is gonna be about ways to support your plants for cheap--we're gonna be talking compost, mulch, and trellises. Until then, I hope this advice was helpful! Feel free to reply with any questions, your success stories, or anything you think I may have forgotten to add in!

[jill-question-mark]

Oh Xiao Jingyan, we’re really in it now.

[hawkwidows]

day 37282 of not entirely understanding how people 100%, without a doubt, enthusiastically think mike was wearing [redacted]

[stumblngrumbl]

if you have branches to prune or thin from trees, don't be thinking you need power tools. smaller branches are best cut with pruning shears or loppers, neither of which are expensive; if you have smaller branches (up to an inch in diameter) that are up higher get something like fiskar's pruning stik and most people can easily cut branches that are 9-10' off the ground and it's light enough to easily use from a ladder for higher access as well.

for thicker branches, get a pruning saw. unless you're going to be cutting hundreds of branches each day you'll find a good manual saw to be easier to carry around and nearly as quick to get through wood.

i was using the saw from the top of my long pole saw and finally got the same blade just with a more comfortable handle:

no joke, you can cut a 3" green branch in about ten seconds or less with this. it's easy yet provides great exercise - arm, shoulder and core - it'll last almost forever, never needs to be charged, take it camping for firewood (expect it to be tougher getting through hard dry wood though!), slash through zombies with it.

bought on everyone's most hated site that we keep using for $39 a few months ago.

[landwriter]

not to sound like a country queer but man do i love my pitchfork

[vullcanica]

@vilestblood : Post-it !!

Post-it note // accepting

It's weeks later and miles and miles away from home that Antonín finds it, sneakily hidden inbetween the pages of his planner. Far from Avita's greatest work, it's a childish little drawing, the giddy tread marks of high-velocity crayon betraying excited haste - it's clear she'd had a very small window of time to jot down her masterpiece when papa had left the book unattended. There's care in it still, from the garden to the message to the vivid green of her favourite crayon most drawing weren't worthy of. She's put all she could into the little surprise. She figured he'd need it while he was away. It was always good to have the reminder.

[htub]

99% of my OC development consists of me going "hey you know what would be so fucking funny" and tbh I wouldn't want it any other way

[gallusrostromegalus]

I got to hold a 500,000 year old hand axe at the museum today.

It's right-handed

I am right-handed

There are grooves for the thumb and knuckle to grip that fit my hand perfectly

I have calluses there from holding my stylus and pencils and the gardening tools.

There are sharper and blunter parts of the edge, for different types of cutting, as well as a point for piercing.

I know exactly how to use this to butcher a carcass.

A homo erectus made it

Some ancestor of mine, three species ago, made a tool that fits my hand perfectly, and that I still know how to use.

Who were you

A man? A woman? Did you even use those words?

Did you craft alone or were you with friends? Did you sing while you worked?

Did you find this stone yourself, or did you trade for it? Was it a gift?

Did you make it for yourself, or someone else, or does the distinction of personal property not really apply here?

Who were you?

What would you think today, seeing your descendant hold your tool and sob because it fits her hands as well?

What about your other descendant, the docent and caretaker of your tool, holding her hands under it the way you hold your hands under your baby's head when a stranger holds them.

Is it bizarre to you, that your most utilitarian object is now revered as holy?

Or has it always been divine?

Or is the divine in how I am watching videos on how to knap stone made by your other descendants, learning by example the way you did?

Tomorrow morning I am going to the local riverbed in search of the appropriate stones, and I will follow your example.

The first blood spilled on it will almost certainly be my own, as I learn the textures and rhythm of how it's done.

Did you have cuss words back then? Gods to blaspheme when the rock slips and you almost take your thumbnail off instead? Or did you just scream?

I'm not religious.

But if spilling my own blood to connect with a stranger who shared it isn't partaking in the divine

I don't know what is.

[balwaankrishimodish]

"Maximize Your Spraying Efficiency with Balwaan BS-20M Manual Sprayer"

Introducing the Balwaan BS-20M Hand Sprayer, a versatile and durable tool for all your spraying needs in gardens, farms, and more. Whether you're a home gardener or a professional in agriculture, this in-hand sprayer is the ideal combination of efficiency, durability, and convenience of use, making it a must-have addition to your agri machinery collection.

Efficiently designed for extended use.

The Balwaan BS-20M has a large 20-liter tank, which allows for less refills and longer spraying sessions. This huge capacity is perfect for broad areas, allowing you to cover more territory without constantly stopping and refilling, enhancing your productivity.

Durability You Can Trust

The Balwaan BS-20M Hand Sprayer is made of high-quality, durable plastic and is designed to survive repeated use. Its strong construction assures that it will not bend or break easily, resulting in consistent performance over time. This longevity makes it an excellent choice for both casual gardeners and commercial users who need trustworthy equipment.

Comfortable and convenient.

One of the most notable aspects of the Balwaan BS-20M is its ergonomic design. The sprayer has a broad belt and cushioned back support, so it is pleasant to wear for long periods of time. This smart design relieves tension on your back and shoulders, allowing you to work more comfortably for longer periods of time. This sprayer allows you to easily spray pesticides, herbicides, or simply water your plants.

Various Spraying Options

The Balwaan BS-20M Manual Sprayer includes three various nozzles as well as two robust heavy-duty lances to meet a wide range of spraying requirements. These accessories are versatile, allowing you to change the spray pattern and reach different locations more effectively. Whether you require a light mist for fragile plants or a more powerful spray for wide areas, this sprayer has you covered.

Ideal for multiple applications.

The Balwaan BS-20M Hand Sprayer is suitable for a variety of uses, including household gardening and commercial agricultural. Its sturdy construction and efficient design make it ideal for a variety of jobs, such as applying fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides, and water. This makes it an invaluable tool for keeping healthy gardens and farms.

Conclusion

The Balwaan BS-20M Manual Sprayer will simplify your spraying operations. Its huge capacity, long-lasting construction, ergonomic form, and versatile nozzles make it an essential garden tool for anybody working in gardening or agriculture. With the Balwaan BS-20M, you can spray efficiently and effortlessly, ensuring your plants receive the attention they require. Experience the comfort and dependability of this high-quality hand sprayer, and take your spraying routine to the next level of ease and efficacy.

[tataagrico1]

Gardening on a Budget: Creating an Affordable Starter Kit

Tired of expensive gardening? Learn how to start your dream garden on a budget with these tips and essential tools from Tata Agrico! From choosing the right materials to planning your garden layout, this guide will show you how to save money and watch your garden flourish.

Visit at: https://www.tataagrico.com/blog-post/gardening-on-a-budget-creating-an-affordable-starter-kit/

[mortallyburninglady]

I found this amazing 3Pcs Garden Hand Tools Set Iron Gardening Shovel Spade Rake Trowel Wood Handle with US$7.32,and 14 days return or refund guarantee protect to us. --Newchic

[ecoamerica]

Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc

The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

[toolzee]

What are the Benefits of Gardening with Kids?

Gardening, often perceived as an adult's hobby, is a goldmine of opportunities and lessons for children. The benefits of gardening with kids are vast, stretching far beyond the physical act of planting. It's a holistic approach to nurturing their minds, bodies, and spirits. Let's delve into the heart of gardening and explore the pros of gardening with kids.

Following are the Benefits of Gardening with Kids:

1. Learning Life Sciences

The first and most apparent benefit is education. Gardening is a live science lab where children can learn about plant biology, weather, and the environment. They get to see firsthand the life cycle of plants, understand photosynthesis, and observe the impact of weather conditions on plant growth. This hands-on learning is an invaluable tool in making science fun and tangible for kids.

2. Developing Responsibility and Patience

Gardening tasks such as watering, weeding, and caring for plants teach children responsibility. They learn that their actions have consequences, and they must be consistent and diligent in their care. Furthermore, gardening is a lesson in patience. In our fast-paced, instant-gratification world, waiting for a seed to sprout and grow into a plant is a much-needed lesson in patience and the rewards of delayed gratification.

3. Enhancing Physical Health

The physical benefits of gardening with kids cannot be understated. Gardening is a form of exercise that improves strength, flexibility, and motor skills. It also promotes a healthy lifestyle by encouraging kids to eat the fruits and vegetables they have grown, thereby fostering a relationship with healthy food from a young age.

4. Boosting Mental Well-Being

Gardening is therapeutic. It reduces stress and provides a sense of calmness and well-being. For children, especially those who might struggle with hyperactivity or anxiety, gardening can be a soothing escape. It offers them a chance to focus on a task, reducing stress and promoting feelings of relaxation.

5. Cultivating Environmental Stewardship

By gardening, children learn about the importance of taking care of the environment. They understand the role of bees in pollination, the importance of worms in soil health, and the impact of chemicals on the ecosystem. This early exposure to environmental conservation can foster lifelong eco-friendly habits.

6. Fostering Family Bonding

Gardening together as a family creates a unique bonding experience. It's a time when families can share, learn, and grow together, both literally and figuratively. These moments become cherished memories, strengthening family ties.

7. Encouraging Creativity

Gardening is a canvas for creativity. Kids can design their garden space, choose what to plant, and even create garden art. This creative freedom boosts their imagination and encourages them to think outside the box.

8. Building Social Skills

For kids, gardening can be a social activity. They learn to work collaboratively, share resources, and communicate their ideas and findings. Whether it’s in a family setting, with friends, or in a community garden, gardening helps enhance their social skills.

Making It Safe and Fun

While discussing the benefits of gardening with kids, it’s essential to ensure that the activity is safe and enjoyable. This is where the right tools come into play. Equip your little gardeners with age-appropriate, safe tools like the best plastic garden tools for kids. These tools make gardening easy, safe, and fun for children.

Conclusion

The benefits of gardening with kids go far beyond just playing in the dirt. It's about nurturing their development, fostering a love for nature, and building essential life skills. With the right approach and tools, gardening can be a rewarding experience for both children and adults alike. So, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to dig into an adventure that’s as enriching as it is enjoyable. Happy gardening!

Gardening is a versatile activity that offers a spectrum of benefits for kids. It’s a blend of education, physical activity, mental well-being, and fun. By recognizing and embracing the pros of gardening with kids, we open a world of possibilities for our children's growth and development. Let's plant the seeds of knowledge and watch as they blossom into well-rounded, responsible, and nature-loving individuals.

[rizva-s]

The Timeless Elegance of Hand Tools: Craftsmanship Unveiled

In today's high-tech world, the use of hand tools might seem like a nostalgic throwback to a bygone era. However, the enduring appeal of these timeless implements is anything but antiquated. Hand tools have been instrumental in shaping the history of human craftsmanship, and their relevance remains significant in modern times. In this session, we will explore the enduring elegance of hand tools and the enduring craftsmanship they represent.

The Beauty of Simplicity

Hand tools are a testament to the art of simplicity. Unlike their electric or pneumatic counterparts, these tools require no plugs, batteries, or cords. Instead, they draw their power from the skill, strength, and finesse of the craftsman's hand. This simplicity is not a limitation but an advantage. It allows for a direct connection between the craftsperson and the workpiece, fostering a deeper understanding of the material and the act of creation.

Hand Tools in the Modern Age

Despite the prevalence of power tools in workshops and construction sites, hand tools continue to play a vital role in various trades. Here are some areas where hand tools are indispensable:

Woodworking: Carpenters, cabinetmakers, and woodworkers rely on hand tools such as chisels, hand planes, and saws to create intricate and precise joints, shapes, and finishes.

Metalworking: Blacksmiths, machinists, and metalworkers use hand tools like hammers, files, and punches for forging, shaping, and finishing metal pieces.

Construction: Hand tools like hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches are crucial for various construction tasks, from framing to finishing.

Plumbing: Plumbers often use hand tools to assemble and repair pipes and fixtures, ensuring water flows smoothly.

Automotive Repair: Mechanics rely on hand tools for tasks like loosening bolts, tightening fasteners, and performing precise adjustments.

The Craftsmanship Connection

Hand tools embody the essence of craftsmanship. They require skill, patience, and attention to detail. A craftsman wielding a hand plane to smooth a piece of wood or a blacksmith shaping hot iron with a hammer is engaged in a direct dialogue with the material. The subtlety of control and the sense of connection between hand and workpiece are unparalleled.

Hand tools also allow for a deeper appreciation of the physical properties of materials. A skilled craftsman knows the grain of the wood, the temper of the metal, and the subtleties of the material they work with. This knowledge informs their decisions and actions, resulting in finely crafted and often unique pieces.

The Art of Maintenance

One of the beauties of hand tools is their longevity. With proper care and maintenance, hand tools can last for generations, becoming heirlooms passed down through families or between master and apprentice. The act of maintaining these tools is an art in itself, with craftspeople honing and sharpening blades, handles, and heads to ensure their reliability and precision.

The enduring elegance of hand tools lies in their simplicity, their timeless connection to craftsmanship, and the art of maintaining and wielding them. In a world dominated by automation and high-speed technology, the enduring relevance of hand tools is a testament to the human spirit's desire for a deep connection with the act of creation. Whether you're a seasoned artisan or someone looking to explore the world of craftsmanship, embracing hand tools can be a journey of self-discovery, creativity, and enduring elegance.

[merpancake]

SDV feels like it could so easily become a fairy story.

You move to a little coastal town where you begin recovering a plot of land, some of the locals take a shine to you and you to them. It's nice, homey. Everyone is welcoming except for the established town grumps.

Suddenly you realize you never leave town. Everything you want is obtainable at the little mom'n'pop general store, or from some of the locals themselves. You never go into the city to sell goods because the mayor does it for you- right? You never really see him do it. You just lie down in bed and wake up in the morning. When was the last time you dreamed?

You need new shoes and the adventurers club sells you handmade leather boots that fit perfectly despite never asking for a shoe size. Your clothes sew themselves when you lay a bolt of fabric and a random item onto the sewing machine- you blink and it's done.

The general store sells fertilizers that turn your garden plot into a verdant field. You spend all day harvesting crops with tools that gleam silver, gold, purple. Saplings grow over a month into fully productive fruit trees, your beehives drop jars of honey into your hands.

The blacksmith cracks open geodes full of polished gemstones. There's a man in the woods who says he found you in the mines but you were 80 levels deep. The elevator works but the minecarts don't. You gave a diamond to a local girl and she ate it like a plum.

And suddenly everyone is drinking mayonnaise.

[lavanyainternation]

Hand garden tools for weeding are essential implements designed to help gardeners efficiently remove unwanted plants and weeds from the soil, ensuring a tidy and healthy garden. Find more informotion -

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!