Every time of the year involves some task related to the care of plants, flowers, trees, lawns, orchards, orchards, vineyards and green spaces in general, which is diversified not only by the multiplicity of plant species, but also by the type of work to do. For example, there are calendars for planting, pruning, watering, weeding, preparing the land, providing fertilizer, aerating the soil or sand, and many other tasks that must be carried out within a certain date throughout the year.
These jobs require a series of tools indispensable. Some have been used for centuries; many have been modified with state-of-the-art technology, and others are completely new, all of which are today at the service of the user.
That is why it is important to know the tools for gardening Y landscaping, understand their usefulness and know what ergonomic, performance and/or safety features they incorporate to provide a comfortable, simple and fast work experience.
In the first place, and as in any other area of ​​technology, it is useful to note that the garden tools They are divided into two large groups: hand tools and electric or fuel tools. In turn, the tools of both groups are subdivided according to their function.
To help understanding, the following infographic details a general classification of the gardening and landscaping tools grouped precisely by function, where the blue boxes indicate manual tools, green squares denote electric tools and the yellow squares indicate tools They can be both manual and electric.
Classification of Gardening and Landscaping Tools
In previous articles we have made an introduction to some of these tools and machines, for example: blast lawnmowers, handsaws, axes, hoes, edgers, chainsaws, shovels, pickaxes, wheelbarrows, blowers, pressure washers, and water pumps. However, this time we are going to delve a little deeper into manual tools with a specific application in gardening Y landscaping, which should not be missing in the toolbox, closet or shed of a hobbyist, temporary worker or professional.
Pair of scissors
The large group of pair of scissors understands manual tools intended for two fundamental purposes: pruning and harvesting or harvesting in areas such as gardening, arboriculture, fruit growing, flower arrangements and nature conservation where careful habitat management is required.
We can divide this group into four tools fundamentals, highlighting the various types and uses in the following graphic.
Scissors – Classification
Saws
When it is not possible to use scissors because the diameter of the branch to be cut exceeds 40 mm, then they should be used. saws. Within the mountains there are two main groups that we present in the following graph.
Saws – Classification
Knives and pocket knives
The works of pruning on a smaller scale, such as the cutting and placement of grafts, extraction of shoots, cutting of bark and flowers, pruning of young trees in nurseries, cutting of small branches in fruit trees or delicate trees such as peach trees, or even breaking of the soil to plant seeds are made with the use of knives Y pocketknives specially designed for these purposes.
Most of the pocketknives Pruners have a curved blade, although handle and blade sizes vary by model and manufacturer. Many also have a folding blade and/or a flat design, making it easy to conveniently store the knife in a pocket.
The knives They support multiple uses that, in addition to pruning, include cutting flowers, rope, plastics and paper. They come equipped with a practical sheath to carry on the belt.
Some manufacturers also offer the well-known machetes, which have a resistant blade about 50 cm long, although the shape, thickness and width of the machete vary depending on the brand. are tools Very effective for cutting small branches and thick undergrowth.
Knives and Blades
axes
For cutting trees, either branches or the trunk (felling), the axes Are the tools most used manuals and therefore essential in a toolbox. The types of ax and the way to use it are concepts totally applicable to the case of gardening Y landscaping. In this regard, we should only distinguish the variants offered by some manufacturers:
- Axes for cutting branches, felling small trees and garden tasks: they have a length between 60 and 70 cm and their head weighs 1 kg. The blade is narrow, which allows easy penetration into the branch to be cut.
- Axes for felling trees: They are slightly longer and heavier than the previous ones, with a length between 70 and 90 cm and a head that weighs between 1.1 and 2.3 kg. The cutting edge is pronounced to easily penetrate the wood to be felled.
- breaker axes: they are for cutting wood from already felled trees, for example, for firewood. They measure between 80 and 90 cm and the head weighs between 2.0 and 3.5 kg. They have a thick head specially designed to break wood, which helps to penetrate the wood with less effort. Some are designed with a flat area on the head for use as a wedge and are recommended for very hard, thick, and difficult-to-cut wood.
Ax – Gardening and Landscaping Tool
Shovels, Hoes and Pickaxes
in the list of tools inevitable, the Pallas Y hoes they are paramount. If we work with stones or in lands with an abundance of them, the peak is also essential. Although there are various types of shovels, hoes and picks, those used particularly in gardening They are the ones detailed in the graph below.
Shovels, Hoes and Pickaxes
Wire rakes and brooms
Other essential elements for working and cleaning the floor are the rakes. The market offers different types and with a variable number of tines. Within the group of rakes we can consider the wire broom, since it fulfills one of the several functions of the rake, that is, cleaning.
In the graph that follows we detail the most used types of rake.
Rakes – Garden and Landscaping Tools
mini-tools
For those dedicated to gardening On a small scale, the cultivation of exotic or delicate plants and flowers, greenhouse crops or those who have a fifth or home garden, there is a team of mini-tools that will lend great help to the tasks that this type of activity demands. all these mini-tools They are designed to work on the banks or under the bushes, for the care of rockeries, balconies and flower pots, and to eliminate weeds.
Some of these tools they are the same as we have just seen, such as shovels, rakes and hoes, but in a smaller size. Others are specific to their magnitude, such as cultivators and so-called tridents, pitchforks, or forks.
The functions performed by the mini-shovels, hoes and rakes are basically identical to those of their larger counterparts, that is: to prepare, flatten and level the ground around the plants, either by breaking, loosening and aerating; dig planting or transplant furrows; pull weeds; planting, sowing and distributing fertilizer, etc.
The growers They are a bit more specific. They are used to break up compacted soil, spread fertilizer and remove shallow weed roots in hard-to-reach areas without disturbing surrounding plant roots.
When preparing the land to plant flowers and shrubs, growers loosen the soil allowing it to aerate and facilitating the entry of rain and heat, which ensures good development of the root system, and they spread the fertilizer easily.
The pitchforks, pitchforks or forks They are mini-tools that help remove weeds, especially those with deep roots, such as dandelions, thistles and certain umbelliferae.
Mini Tools – Gardening and Landscaping
They are also used for loosening, preparing and leveling the ground before planting, as well as for harvesting root vegetables such as radishes or carrots grown in small plots.
Irrigation and transport elements
Regardless of the tasks involved in both gardening like in landscaping, the plants should always be watered and the various materials transported, for example, earth, stones, pruning residues, harvested fruits, plants, tools and so many others.
Among the manual means available for these tasks there is a preferential place for at least three:
- hoses and accessories: They can be wall mounted hoses, coiled hoses, hoses designed to withstand low temperatures or self-coiling hoses.
- watering cans: or portable water containers for indoor and outdoor use, they are made of plastic, metal or even ceramic and occasionally provided with a spray spout.
- Wheelbarrows: with an average capacity of 170 liters, they can have one or two wheels. Although single-wheel models allow for good maneuverability, the two-wheel design has better stability on the ground and is becoming a popular part for these types of applications.
Quick Guide to Assemble a Garden Kit
with all the tools that we have mentioned in this article, it can be inferred that putting together a complete set of gardening involves a considerable investment. All tools indicated are useful and their choice will depend specifically on the tasks to be carried out and the magnitude of the garden or green space to be created and/or maintained.
The most reasonable thing is to acquire the tools little by little and as they are needed. In principle, a basic team to start with should respond to the guidelines provided in the following infographic.
Gardening Tools – Basic Set
However, if the choice is to be further prioritized, tools to buy in the first instance are: hoe, shovel, scissors, wire broom, hose and edger. Do not forget in any selection a good pair of gloves gardening, another essential element for user safety.
As can be seen, some of the tools mentioned in this quick guide are electrical. The use of power tools is more widespread in landscaping what in gardening or horticulture, but pasture maintenance and weeding are common tasks in any area where there is a green space, no matter how small.
We will deal properly with these in a future article. electric tools.
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