Choosing the Right Tools

Sometimes all it takes to make a hard job in your garden easy is to find the right tool. But what is the “right” tool in a garden? What makes some tools better than others? Here are five things to think about when choosing the right tools.

Upfront Cost vs. Tool Life

I am a bargain shopper. I love to think I am getting a good deal. But sometimes you “get what you pay for”. When looking for garden tools, you need to take the long view and consider a tool that might be somewhat more expensive up front but would last longer than a discount version. That doesn’t mean you need to buy the top of the line for everything – unless collecting fancy garden tools is your passion! But, you also don’t want to keep buying the cheapest possible tool if you need to replace it every year because it won’t last.

You may not be able to tell if a more expensive tool is worth it just from looking at the tool, or the advertisements on the tool. So, doing some online research or checking the materials the tool is made of might give you an idea of whether a particular brand (or off-brand) will last. If you’re not a materials science expert, look for tool recommendations from experts whose opinion you trust.

Also, if you find a tool that is durable and easy to use, it may replace several lower quality tools. A single more expensive tool that replaces two or three cheaper tools could be a better investment. Don’t be afraid to invest a little money in your tools. It can also motivate you to actually use the tool and get some gardening done just to have a chance to try out your new toy.

Heavy Duty vs. Just Heavy

Sometimes it seems like every tool at the hardware store or garden center says “Heavy Duty” on it. Does anyone really need a heavy duty trowel or watering can? These over-designed tools may not actually be any more effective than a regular tool, and the extra material added to make it seem “heavy duty” just makes the tool too heavy.

A tool that’s too heavy can make a job harder for anyone to do, but it’s especially hard to get kids involved in the garden if they can’t even pick up the tools. Of course, many garden tools designed for kids are too small, too light, or made of such flimsy materials that it is hard for kids to use them to do real work in the garden. A well designed tool that is tough enough to do the job, but doesn’t have any extra weight to make it seem more durable, is the most effective tool out there, for adults or kids.

So, how do you know if a tool is heavy duty or just heavy? It may depend a little on your size and strength. A tool that is too heavy for one gardener may work well for another. Make sure you test out a tool before you buy it. If it’s hard for you to pick up or safely swing a tool through it’s normal range of motion, it’s probably not the right size for you. Also consider if a tool might be the right weight, but not the right length for your height or arm length. You don’t have to get all your tools custom made for you, but using a properly sized tool efficiently can be much more effective (and safer) than trying to use a tool that doesn’t fit.

Old Faithfuls vs. Just Old

I love old tools. I think they just look cooler, and for some tools, older designs are actually made with higher quality materials than the discount tools available in big box stores. However, sometimes an old tool is just old and you would be much better off getting something new with more potential life left in it.

Sometimes old tools still work perfectly. But, tool design and materials have advanced over the years, so upgrading to a newer tool can have advantages. If you’re on a budget, buying used tools secondhand at a garage sale or auction can get you gently used but high quality tools at bargain prices if you know what to look for.

To get the best value out of old or used tools, make sure they have all their working parts. This may require some research if the tool doesn’t come with the original packaging or manuals. Check to see that joints have been well maintained and still move freely. Look for wear on bolts and fasteners and determine if parts could be replaced, or if the whole tool would become unusable if a worn component fails. Be especially careful with cloth, leather, or plastic parts, they wear out more quickly than wood or metal and degrade quickly when not stored or maintained properly. Doing regular maintenance on your tools can turn old tools into old faithfuls that you can pass on to the next generation of gardeners.

Dull vs. Sharp

Nobody wants to get hurt on a sharp tool. Especially if you garden with your kids. There are a lot of tools that are not appropriate for younger kids to use because they are dangerously sharp. Using a blunt tool designed for small kids may be a necessary safety measure at certain phases of your family garden journey.

However, once you and your garden helpers have some experience, skill, and knowledge, a dull tool can actually be more dangerous than a properly sharpened one. A dull tool takes more effort to push through the soil or cut through something than a sharp one. It can also slip and slide rather than cutting through. If you’re pushing really hard on a tool that slips, it’s very easy to hurt yourself or someone near you.

Of course, anyone using a properly sharpened tool needs to be very aware of keeping that sharp edge away from their own hands, feet, or other appendages, and also very aware of everyone and everything around them before they swing a tool. Making sure your tools are properly sharpened can significantly improve your effectiveness in the garden, and make chores faster and more fun.

Visible vs. Cool Looking

Once you have narrowed down the right price, weight, size, and age for your tools, you might be left with a more aesthetic choice. Things like color or pattern on the handles may not seem like a big deal, or more of a personal preference, but they can serve an important purpose. If you can’t find a tool, it’s the same as not having it at all. Choosing a highly visible color, or trying to keep similar tools in a similar color scheme can help make your tools easier to find when you need them.

If your design options are limited, you can add your own color scheme. Some gardeners put fluorescent or reflective tape on their tools to make them more visible if they fall out of a pocket or get accidentally covered with weeds or debris. Different members of the family may want to mark their tools with paint or different colored tape to make sure they don’t mix up which tool is the right size or weight for them.

There’s no shame in getting a tool just because it looks cool (if you have the budget for it), but a cool looking tool will be less cool if it’s hard to find every time you set it down. You could also consider belt loops, sheaths, or holders for smaller tools that need to be easily accessible but are hard to locate if you set them down in your garden. I like gardening clothes with lots of pockets, but some tools are better in a dedicated holder rather than searching your pockets every time you need it.

Choosing the right tools can help you work smarter, not harder in your garden and make sure you get your work done efficiently so you can move on to fun tasks like celebrating with tasty, home-grown food. Use these five things to think about when choosing your tools and get out there and keep growing!