It is n’t well-fixed to distillhand toolsinto an essential list ! There are so many enceinte hand tools that are useful for growers planting around a 1/4 acre or more of vegetables — a garden of about 50 by 50 feet . But not everyhand toolis essential , and some may be more practical at large or lowly scales . Some tools are more useful when construction gardens and less useful in the long term . Indeed , when I say essential , I truly feel a nursing home grower should not be without these garden pecker . So for this article I am take the minimalist approach shot
A paw tool isan extension of the body , a means of increasing leverage , power and utility from our arms and hand and bodies . Hand tools allow us to do much more work in the garden at a very sane cost . A bit of well - plan metal and wood can leave so much welfare !
Ergonomic Shovel
A shovel is very utilitarian . Of of course it can be used to form new raised bottom by delve out way of life . But a power shovel can also be used to do the work of a wide branching , double dig out beds . It can be used to immerse the ends of run-in cover charge or locoweed barrier . It is also able to dig a hollow for a large potted industrial plant .
Shovels are essential , and they should be ergonomic .
Wide Rake
Every grower needs a blanket rake to skim the surface of their seam top and help to produce a good seed layer ! A wide rake is light to habituate to make this seed bed surface because it call for few passes to smooth the bed top . It also is widened enough that dustup markers can be place over tines to help tag out rows .
The bask of the rakehell can be used to tamp down an expanse as well to facilitate tauten up the semen seam . You could use a bed roller / marker or gridder to aid firm the bed top and pock the rows , but it is hard to argue with the affordability , informality of use and multifunctional nature of the good old rake !
But let us not forget the roue can also be used for pre - weed . Just water a new seam and allow weeds to germinate , then hap over it with the rake again !
Push Seeder
Any garden of this size of it needs a push cloud seeder . It would be unimaginable to hand seed all the bed in a 1/4 - Akka garden when a $ 150 to $ 250 tool could do this in a fraction of the time , with much capital accuracy for depth of seeding and quantity of seed per understructure !
Grub Hoe or Wide Hoe
A hoe is very utile , especially the wide hoe that can be used to hill crops like white potato and bean and even cultivated carrot ( to prevent rejuvenation and facilitate livelihood growth ) . These are also useful for wrinkle and making golf hole for planting large crops like potatoes .
But the blanket the hoe , the more it becomes useful for layer mold and reforming by pulling soil back up onto the bottom top from the path .
Stirrup Hoe, Collinear Hoe or Wire Weeder
One of these hoes for weed between row weeds is essential . The choice has more to do with the quality of your grime . I prefer a stapes hoe for bumpy soil or soil with debris .
Collinear hoe are easy to get between crop for in - row weeding . telegram weeder are great because they do n’t harm plants or drip tape measure , but they want a nice loose soil to easy operate in . Which weeder is correct for you ? Consider your craw and soil experimental condition .
Harvest Crate
No matter what you are produce , you will want a crate to help bring in the harvest . Crates can be fill with loose carrots or spud , or headway of lettuce . You want a container that you may get dirty and easily clean , and which can hold your haul until you get back to the home or barn .
A Good Knife
A grower needs a tongue on their belt . A good knife can be used to cut twine for trellis tomato plant , or crop lettuce and other crops . A recollective knife will give your more versatility , but too large and it will be ungainly for smaller tasks like twine cutting .
Certainly , there are specialised knife for everything from green harvesting to pruning and graft . But , again , one unspoiled knife can get you pretty far .
There are many other hand tools you may consider , peculiarly if you scale up your garden and need to grow commercially . But this scant , essential list will avail focus your budget for a 1/4 - Accho garden .
Grow On !
Zach Loeks
