Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
of use these tools will get at the backyard farm. High-carbon steel blades are more durable than
flimsy metals and will hold up to lots of use.
Secateurs or Pruners
These handy tools are a must for the backyard farmer. You'll definitely want a handheld version of
pruners because it will be a lot easier to do controlled cuts on a fruit tree, berry bramble, or rose
bush. There's a level of control you can get with handheld tools that is really nice, and if you work
through your garden on a routine basis you'll be able to snip off branches while they are still young
and easy to cut.
Bypass secateurs give a cleaner cut because instead of crushing the branch, the sharp blades are
brought past each other. Be sure to buy a pair of pruners with blades that are easy to clean and
sharpen, because with repeated cuts the blades will build up resin and sap residue and become dull.
Some high-end pairs of pruners have gear-type mechanisms that help close the pruners, making
them a better choice for gardeners with a weak grip.
Look for quality metal, not pressed steel, or blades that can be replaced when old ones are no lon-
ger serviceable. Handles should be comfortable to grip, sized appropriately to your hand, and made
of a quality hardwood, like ash, or durable material.
Over the Garden Fence
Just as it's worth paying more for a good-quality metal, it's also worth paying more for strong handles on
your tools. You want your garden tools to last, so durable handles are a must. Quality hardwoods are one of
the most popular materials for their longevity and durability.
Digging Fork
Digging forks are a must. They are extremely useful for breaking up the hardpan layer on new
garden beds. After double digging a garden bed, before I add the bottommost layer of dirt back
into the trench, I like to use a digging fork to break up the dirt as deep as possible. The strong,
long tines of a digging fork allow you to punch deeper into the soil, loosening compacted areas so
roots can delve deep for nutrients and water without as much effort.
Long-handled digging forks are also useful for turning over a compost bin. A digging fork's open
design allows less resistance than a shovel when trying to dig into a matted or compacted area. As
with all garden tools, quality hardwood handles or durable nonslip grip handles will last much
longer. Tines of the fork should be forged metal, not easily bent or broken.
