In article ,
says...

"phorbin" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
Hi, and Happy New Year.
I want to start a post about hand tools. Because I don't have ANY..
I'm
feeling pretty good about last years endeavor. I'm really want to get
going. There's so many hoes and , Well, tools, I don't know what to get.
But I have weed issues. I thought the best thing to do was to pull them
and
as much of the root as possible. And I see in a couple catalogs there's
Swiss hoes and weed removers that cut weeds.
So what do you consider indispensable tools. That just make things much
easier. And what works really well on weeds.

1. Get a decent grinder and learn how to sharpen your garden tools. This
means spades, hoes and anything else that needs a good edge.



I have a dremel. Im pretty adept with it. I dont have a grinder though.
Well, I did, I gave it to somebody starting a shop. Maybe I will get
another one.

2. Keep a file nearby to maintain the edge on those tools while you are
working.


Ahh, good one. Never thought about it.


I dont have a wheel barrow, or any hoes. I do have a pointed shovel. I was
just out looking around, I think somebody heisted my sprinkler. But i found
a basket with a hand trowel gloves, and a knife. I think they were my moms
years ago.

I saw a Swiss D hoe in territorial or Johnies catalog. They aint cheap,
but Home Depot and Loews dont have one.

At minimum buy good quality tools. If you can, go for excellent quality
tools. IMO stainless steel isn't strong enough for hard use.

You want a good digging spade.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/p...t=2,64944&ap=1

For weeding, a stirrup or colinear hoe beats a draw hoe hands down.

A short handled hoe (we have 3 of different sizes) is good for weeding
and cultivating in tight spaces. These see more use than the larger
hoes.

Cool hoes
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/p...?cat=2&p=44823

You'll need a couple of trowels.

I carry five tools with me constantly during growing season.

A bypass pruner
A carbon steel hori hori knife (tougher than stainless steel)
A file to keep the hori hori sharp
A swiss army pocket knife
A key chain diamond hone to sharpen the pruner and pocket knife