Accessories for the Home Vegetable Garden

Gardening tools can be divided into those that are essential and those that are nice to have because they save time, do the job better, or are gentler on the plants. Tools work with the soil and plants, whereas accessories help the gardener help maintain cleanliness, move items to and from the garden, protect finger nails and skin, and aid plant growth. A gardener can choose to invest in these accoutrements or offer them as gift suggestions to those that want to help.

Tools for the Soil

A gardener will be working in the soil from the first scratch of hardpan to planting and gentling removing weeds from around seedlings. The basic soil tools include: level-head rake, sharp-shooter or drain spade, cultivating fork, mulch fork, and broad spade. These tools are used from a standing position to dig, move, and flatten soil.

One less-used by many, but delightful for those that have ventured to purchase it is the Garden Weasel. This tool has a set of interspersed tines that roll over and break up surface dirt easily. Think of it like a manual tiller with a small footprint.

Tools for Plants

Hand tools that are essential in vegetable gardening include trowels. Preferably a gardener would like two sizes: one wide and one longer, but narrow enough to accommodate different transplant sizes. A hand rake helps to move out weeds gently around established plants. Clippers for pruning—choose straight blades for small, delicate jobs and curved or eagle-beak clippers for harder cutting.

Select hand tools that are one piece with plastic hand grips. They are studier and easier to use than tools with two part construction. Many hand tools have a slightly bend ergonomic design that is easier on wrists. A Cape Cod Weeder is nice for clearing weeds from soil near growing plants. It comes in left and right hand variations. Sharp scissors and a knife also come in handy.

Accessories for the Garden

• Wheelbarrow or garden wagon
• Basket to carry harvested produce
• Soaker hoses or drip irrigation
• Path stones
• Tomato cages‚Äîpick study ones that fold up for winter storage. They are square ones from Gardener’s Supply and the new Texas Cages that can be built up to six feet without tipping over.
• Spray watering can for spot watering and containers
• Fences or strings with frames for vertical crops

Accessories for the Gardener

• Kneeling pad
• Garden shoes
• Sun hat
• Gloves – a pair of thick ones for thorny plants, thin ones that let the gardener feel the soil through the fabric, and a pair of water proof ones.
• Dust mask

Many thoughtful and creative retailers have developed and promote other clever gardening tools and accessories, but the ones suggested above will provide an excellent set of basics for a new vegetable gardener.