The Tools of the Trade
Surgeons need a scalpel, teachers need books, and farmers need a tractor. Likewise gardeners need the proper tools to do the job correctly. Even if working with plants is a hobby, no one wants to realize the fruits of labor fail to grow, or are choked by weeds before reaching maturation. Before the seeds or started plants are set in the dirt, and after the products are harvested, a gardener should possess the tools of the trade.
Before planting the first seeds, a gardener needs to purchase, or rent, a tiller. The tool will break up hard soil, and help with aeration. For a fortunate few, the soil is dark, rich, and easy to dig. However, many people live where the soil is typically hard as clay. Although the shovel, hoe, or rake will not break, neither will the surface of the ground. Without a tiller, trying to garden will be
Before planting the first seeds, a gardener needs to purchase, or rent, a tiller. The tool will break up hard soil, and help with aeration. For a fortunate few, the soil is dark, rich, and easy to dig. However, many people live where the soil is typically hard as clay. Although the shovel, hoe, or rake will not break, neither will the surface of the ground. Without a tiller, trying to garden will be
physically exhausting, if not impossible. Even for the individuals with excellent soil, tilling turns the earth, bringing up the soil from below to the top. The loose dirt will also receive much needed oxygen and make planting easier.
After tilling, a gardener needs a good rake. The rake will smooth and even out the soil in preparation for planting. Later a rake will come in handy for ridding the garden of the weeds that will inevitably sprout alongside the fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Once the ground is turned and the planting materials are purchased, an individual needs a good soil scoop or hand shovel to dig a hole for planting seeds or seedlings. Although a regular shovel is good for the bigger jobs of planting bushes or trees, a scoop is the right size for cultivating seeds.
However, planting seeds and starter plants can be physically painful. Therefore, an avid gardener may wish to purchase a garden kneeler or kneepads. Especially for the older gardener, knee protection will enable him/her to enjoy the process, and not dread the day after pains resulting from planting fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
After the planting is done, any good gardener knows the process of harvesting a good crop has only begun, and the plants are going to need plenty of water and tender loving care. Living in drier climates, watering a garden can be a time consuming chore. Depending on the size of the garden, providing life-giving moisture can take hours. In answer, a hydro grow hose slowly, and continuously seeps water to the plants through porous holes. The hose is extremely flexible and can easily be weaved through the rows. In addition, a timer can be purchased to regulate watering for up to two weeks, in the event the gardener must be away. Finally, a four-way or duel water distributor can connect more than one hose to the water valve. Thus, gardeners can have more than one plot in different directions.
Unfortunately, watering also helps weeds to grow. Therefore, a good gardener always has a good hoe or weeder handy. Vigilance is required to keep the pesky weeds from choking out young plants and totally destroying a crop of tasty foods and gorgeous flowers.
Even without weeds stealing the soils nutrients, gardeners will need to provide fertilizer to give the plants the proper nourishment. Many gardeners have a compost heap for spreading throughout the garden. Avid gardeners can also purchase a compost system, worm bins, a simple compost pail, and additives to help speed up the decaying process. If composting is not available, fertilizer can be purchased wherever gardening supplies are sold.
Finally, after doing everything possible to help the plants grow, harvest time is here. With a good pair of gloves and a gardening basket, gardeners can pick the fruits of months of hard work. While harvesting, no one will know if a few fruits and vegetables never make it to the kitchen sink. The temptation to sneak a taste will be hard to resist.
In summary, like any profession, a gardener needs the proper tools of the trade. From preparing the earth for planting to composting, or tilling, the empty plants for the next season, an experienced gardener has the tools to ensure the best possible harvest. He/she knows fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers are far superior to those purchased in the produce section of a supermarket.
Do you want to use this article? Well you can as long as you do not edit or delete the resource box. Click Here to download.
After tilling, a gardener needs a good rake. The rake will smooth and even out the soil in preparation for planting. Later a rake will come in handy for ridding the garden of the weeds that will inevitably sprout alongside the fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Once the ground is turned and the planting materials are purchased, an individual needs a good soil scoop or hand shovel to dig a hole for planting seeds or seedlings. Although a regular shovel is good for the bigger jobs of planting bushes or trees, a scoop is the right size for cultivating seeds.
However, planting seeds and starter plants can be physically painful. Therefore, an avid gardener may wish to purchase a garden kneeler or kneepads. Especially for the older gardener, knee protection will enable him/her to enjoy the process, and not dread the day after pains resulting from planting fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
After the planting is done, any good gardener knows the process of harvesting a good crop has only begun, and the plants are going to need plenty of water and tender loving care. Living in drier climates, watering a garden can be a time consuming chore. Depending on the size of the garden, providing life-giving moisture can take hours. In answer, a hydro grow hose slowly, and continuously seeps water to the plants through porous holes. The hose is extremely flexible and can easily be weaved through the rows. In addition, a timer can be purchased to regulate watering for up to two weeks, in the event the gardener must be away. Finally, a four-way or duel water distributor can connect more than one hose to the water valve. Thus, gardeners can have more than one plot in different directions.
Unfortunately, watering also helps weeds to grow. Therefore, a good gardener always has a good hoe or weeder handy. Vigilance is required to keep the pesky weeds from choking out young plants and totally destroying a crop of tasty foods and gorgeous flowers.
Even without weeds stealing the soils nutrients, gardeners will need to provide fertilizer to give the plants the proper nourishment. Many gardeners have a compost heap for spreading throughout the garden. Avid gardeners can also purchase a compost system, worm bins, a simple compost pail, and additives to help speed up the decaying process. If composting is not available, fertilizer can be purchased wherever gardening supplies are sold.
Finally, after doing everything possible to help the plants grow, harvest time is here. With a good pair of gloves and a gardening basket, gardeners can pick the fruits of months of hard work. While harvesting, no one will know if a few fruits and vegetables never make it to the kitchen sink. The temptation to sneak a taste will be hard to resist.
In summary, like any profession, a gardener needs the proper tools of the trade. From preparing the earth for planting to composting, or tilling, the empty plants for the next season, an experienced gardener has the tools to ensure the best possible harvest. He/she knows fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers are far superior to those purchased in the produce section of a supermarket.
Do you want to use this article? Well you can as long as you do not edit or delete the resource box. Click Here to download.
