Tools Of The Trade, This Is What You Must Know

When getting your tools of the trade to start your organic garden, you may be surprised to see how much stuff you need and how costs can quickly add up. It’s shocking because organic gardening should be organic and natural, right? However, there are some tools and supplies that you’ll have to buy in the beginning.

Plan accordingly, list the tools you want, and check online to compare prices. This will help you with your financial planning before you get started.

Plus, when your harvest is bountiful, you can offer the vegetables to others at a local market. Organic food varieties at the grocery store cost much more than mass production produce. And, if you’re charging less for organic vegetables than the retail grocery store, you can bet that most folks will purchase from you. This way, they, too, can save a few bucks.

Basic Tools Of The Trade

Personally, I prefer leather over cloth or plastic. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but you’ll need them to prevent blisters while using your tools, applying sprays/powders, and general irritation from plants.

Watering Pot

Using a watering pot is preferred over the use of a garden hose. The water from the watering pot is gentler on the plants, so it won’t disturb the soil, potentially exposing the roots to disease.

Pruners

Also called pruning shears or hand pruners, are uncompromising scissors explicitly intended to cut plant stems and thick vines. They’re the ideal tool for gardening.

Handheld Trowel Set

These tools will be used to dig small trenches and holes for your seeds and plants, also moving away material to close to your plants. Because they’re handheld, they’re great for tighter, more defined areas.

Serious Tools Of The Trade

Garden hoes are used to dig larger areas of your garden. The spade will be used for loading organic compost from the compost pile. A spade fork can be used to move the compost around, providing circulation to the soil. It’s not recommended that the ground be moved around too much in your garden. You’ll want to avoid disturbing the plants and continue to build up the soil with organic compost and mulch.

Rake

This tool is handy for spreading organic compost, tidying the garden, and all-purpose debris cleaning. Rakes come in a wide range of variations, but a general all-purpose rake is suitable when starting off.

Wheelbarrow

These are extremely handy, depending on the distance between your garden and the organic compost pile. A wheelbarrow will save you time, energy, and your back!

Soil Testing 

Testing your soil is very important, you’ll need to know the acidity levels and keep it neutral. Soil not maintained within the neutral range is harmful and can reduce the productivity of your plants and vegetables.

Water Measurement

Water measurements determine whether your garden soil has adequate water or is too dry. Occasionally, the soil may contain excessive wetness, and you’ll have to adjust your watering until the moisture in the soil is reduced.

Many of the tools you’ll buy will last for years to come. But, once you’ve successfully grown your own vegetables, you’ll have saved money by eating your own and not store-bought.

This is a small list of the tools of the trade to start your organic garden. Be sure to clean your garden tools and store them in a dry area after each use. Always properly maintain them by keeping them sharp and all mechanical parts lightly oiled.